October 28, 2011
The time of year is here again
Where Christians scratch their noggins-
Do we boycott Halloween or dress up with the goblins?
Should we ignore this celebration
Or take back this dark force night
Should we barricade inside our homes
Or shine a Jesus light?
It’s a question all must wrestle
As arguments get crazy-wild.
Do we hang out with the heathens or do we stay undefiled?
My answer is quite simple I love you either way– just make sure you stand for Jesus more than just today!
October 25, 2011
Almost two years ago, my life was blessed by a wonderful man. Being in the ministry I often brought my “work” home with me and told him of folks I had been able to help through our benevolence as well as those that I couldn’t help right away. With each story, he would always say, “That makes me sick.” He would almost turn green and actually rub his stomach. I hate to admit it, sometimes Scott’s response to my daily routine would shame me… I actually began to covet Scott’s reaction to the stories I told. I always helped those in need– I was just very matter of fact and business while Scott would be sick for days.
On our honeymoon to the Bahamas, Scott and I were having dinner at an island restaurant when a very sad woman approached us. Her dress barely covered her body. She begged us for money for food. Honestly, I was annoyed–it was our honeymoon! But Scott looked at me as if to ask my permission and then said, “Would you like to join us?” The woman cried and our romantic table for two was set for three. We knew she was in some kind of trouble. She told us her story and then we asked her if she went to church. She said that they made fun of her there. About that time, the police came up to the porch of the restaurant and asked to see my husband inside. I kept wondering if they were going to arrest him thinking we were “hiring” the girl. When he returned, the woman said she had to go and would take her food with her. We told her she could stay and eat with us but she insisted on leaving. Before she left, I prayed with her.
After we ate, Scott and I walked through the marketplace. A couple of times, I saw the woman and each time, I had a wave of nausea come over me. It was a sick that Pepto couldn’t heal.
I realized I had replaced compassion with paperwork and procedure. But here, hundreds of miles from my church, on vacation, I regained my God’s eyes and I saw what He sees. I did not see paperwork or a 30 minute interview. I saw a woman all alone. I saw helplessness. I also realized that while I made sure that the folks I ministered to were never lost in the system of paperwork–sometimes I was.
Community Christian Church where we serve is in the middle of a series called “Unleashed”. As the series has continued, each week, I see the Spirit of the Lord unleashed in bigger and greater ways and honestly sometimes it is uncomfortable. When the Spirit is the wind in our sails we are often driven through choppy muddy waters where our “cultured Christianity” gets dirty and our old ideas of benevolence, fellowship, service, Bible study, and outreach don’t hold water.
Is it hazardous to reach out?–Yes!
Is it hazardous to worship like a disciple?–Yes!
Is it hazardous to break from the safe Scripture of John 3:16 and study Scripture in direct conflict to your current living arrangements, methods of child-rearing, work ethic, or even your way of passing on lavish love?–Yes!
Is it Is it possible you will lose some sleep, time, money, and friendships in the deal?–Yes! Is it worth it?–do it and find out!
When was the last time, you looked past a beggar’s cardboard sign and looked into their eyes? What would happen if you shed the restraints of the Sunday ritual and abandoned yourself to the moving of the Spirit in worship? When was the last time you looked past that unruly teenager and felt convicted to step in and be a mentor? What would happen if you showed up for work on time, pushed yourself to finish your work load, and gave up the office gossip?
Yes it is hazardous– people will think you have lost your mind.
Yes it is hazardous– you risk rejection from the very people you want to help as well as rejection from those you thought supported you and “the cause”. You may even face criticism for your lavish love.
Yes it is hazardous– you will never be able to enter a crowd again without a longing to be Jesus.
Yes it is hazardous… but I don’t think the road to Calvary was pothole free… I don’t think the cross was a picnic… and I don’t think the tomb would have met OSHA standards. Thank God–Jesus didn’t care about hazardous situations when it came to His lavish love for me.
October 21, 2011
Today, I am home from life… with my sick little pup, Davis. I’m not sure if he was truly sick but maybe just needed a preemptive strike against whatever is trying to ail him. The first real medicine I tried today was just to hold his hands and pray with him and over him the strength of the Lord. I have to admit, I sometimes slack on that. I mean I pray with him every night before he goes to bed. But lately I’ve been getting slack about praying over him and into him what God wants for him. I learned a long time ago the power of our prayers when they are spoken out loud especially when they become words of life for our children.
I thought I would just share some of the Scriptures I pray for my children. These aren’t my words–they are the Lord’s! They are powerful and effective. I encourage you to add your own Scriptures and pray them out loud for your children. A few years ago when I was especially concerned for DJ, I actually laminated this prayer list and had it in my shower… I figured if people can sing out loud in there–I could certainly pray it up!
Praying The Word Over My Children
13 All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace. Isa 54:13 “Lord, I pray Your peace and composure upon my children.”
A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker not respond to rebukes. Prov 13:1 For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Prov 2:6 “Lord, let my child be wise…”
14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 1Pet 1:14-15 “Lord, please let my children be Holy as You are Holy. Let them not conform to this world but stand out as being totally Your children.”
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, Jas 1:19 “Lord let me be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath as an example to my children.”
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Heb 13:5 “Lord help me to remember that you have not left me… Let me not covet my children to act like each other but let them be as you created them. Teach me to teach my children to be content and always remember that they are not alone.”
5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:5-7 “Lord, let my children submit to elders and each other, be clothed with humility and allow them to cast their cares upon You, Father for You care for them.”
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Jas 1:22 “Father let my children hear your Word and act upon it.”
7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 2 Tim 1:7-9 “Allow my children to not have a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Father, You have saved them and called them with a holy calling, not according to works, but according to Your own purpose.
10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Jas 3:10 “Father, let me not curse my children by discouraging words and thoughts… let me praise them for their individuality. Let me lead by example. Father allow my children to speak words of praise and to not be negative in their speech or thought. Allow them Lord to speak Your words.”
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; Ps 91:11 “Father, I pray Your angels to accompany, defend, and preserve my children.”
August 11, 2011
“Jesus, Jesus, Your name is like honey, on my lips, Your Spirit’s like water to my soul, Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, Jesus I love You” lyrics from Holy And Annointed One
The song is over ten years old and for most worshippers it has probably already rotated out of the Sunday line-up (for others it probably never made it). For years I have found myself singing this song almost daily as I go through my morning routine. My Jesus is satisfying to my very soul. As I sat through the sermon by Brother Dan on Sunday, Proverbs 16:24 really caught my attention: “Kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” I immediately thought of my morning worship song. As Dan kept teaching he made the point that we need to learn to say the right words in the right way and at the right time. Specifically he was using this as a message for couples. However, it is pretty much applicable to anytime and anyone we open our mouth to. Today is Thursday and as I analyze my speech against Proverbs 16:24, I’m not sure if my words were always sweet or healthy! How have you done this week?
When Scott and I were dating we agreed that we would never speak against each other. This did not just mean when we were with each other. This also referred to the times when we were with our families and friends when the other one is not present. Scott and I committed to not speak negative words about each other ever. We are even careful how we joke that it is not degrading to the other’s character (which believe me is hard for someone gifted in sarcasm). As Dan preached this Sunday, I started thinking of how Proverbs 16:24 applies to our own church body. How many of us could be found guilty of speaking against a member of Christ’s body? How bitter it must taste to the Lord! What’s worse—if we speak against a brother or sister in Christ, are we not speaking against Christ, Himself?
My prayer is that I would live a modified version of the song Holy and Annointed One—that my words would be honey to Jesus, that my actions would water the souls of the thirsty, and that I would live out God’s Word with everything I do. May you be as convicted as I am to walk out your faith among your family, friends, and those who you don’t even know is looking.
June 21, 2011
July – On my first month of marriage, the Lord revealed to me—Scott was created for me!
August – On my second month of marriage, the Lord revealed to me—our kids don’t like each other, and Scott was created for me!
September – On my third month of marriage, the Lord revealed to me—patience is a virtue, our kids don’t like each other, and Scott was created for me!
October – On my fourth month of marriage, the Lord revealed to me—always check bookbags, patience is a virtue, our kids don’t like each other, and Scott was created for me!
November- On my fifth month of marriage, the Lord revealed to me—we celebrate quite different, always check bookbags, patience is over-rated, our kids don’t like each other, and Scott was created for me!
December – On my sixth month of marriage, the Lord revealed to me—our calendar’s overbooked, we celebrate quite different, always check bookbags, patience is over-rated, our kids tolerate each other, and Scott was created for me!
January – On my seventh month of marriage, the Lord revealed to me— I’ve gained 20lbs, our calendar’s overbooked, we celebrate holidays different, always check bookbags, patience is in reach, our kids can live together, and Scott was created for me!
February—On my eighth month of marriage, the Lord revealed to me—He makes all things perfect, I’ve gained 20lbs, our calendar’s slowing down, we like to celebrate, monitor internet access, patience will be mine, our kids think we’re gross, and Scott was created for me!
March—On my ninth month of marriage, the Lord revealed to me—Scott sacrifices all the time, God makes all things perfect, I’ve gained 25 lbs, our calendar has been burned, we want to celebrate, monitor the internet, patience is out the door, our kids are really patient, and Scott was created for me!
April—On my tenth month of marriage, the Lord revealed to me—Commuting is really hard, Scott is incredible, God will perfect me, I’ve gained 25lbs, our calendar has been found, we want to celebrate, turn off the internet, patience what is that, our kids love our home, and Scott was created for me!
May—On my eleventh month of marriage, the Lord revealed to me—Money–where’d it go?, Commuting is really hard, Scott is amazing, God is in control, the weight will come off, our calendar is our friend, God calls us to celebrate, the computers have a virus, patience is a gift, our kids love our home, and Scott was created for me!
June—On my twelfth month of marriage, the Lord revealed to me— He has our family in his hands, money can be managed, I will miss commuting, Scott is amazing, God is big within me, who cares about the weight, new dates on the calendar, celebrate each day, unplug and get out, who needs patience, our kids love our family, and Scott was created for me!
May 3, 2011
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Psalm 31:31 NIV
My Momma’s hands… well at least they look like her hands. I noticed them this past weekend when I was folding bulletins at the church. All of a sudden these hands on the bulletins flashed me back in time to the 70s. I remember clearly standing in a small office in Calhoun, KY beside my mother. It was Saturday night and we were folding bulletins. Just around the corner, the light was on in my Daddy’s office and he was going over his sermon. My brother Bud was running in and out of the office begging us all to please finish up fast so we could go to the Tastee Freeze for ice cream.
Even now just writing about this my eyes fill up with tears as I realize the beauty of my mother’s hands—and now as I look down I realize I have her hands. My cute little sister’s hands are too big to look like Momma’s… of course my brothers’ hands are way off the mark… truly the one thing I can claim that I received from my mother that are only mine are her hands. These are the hands that directed me as the angel in the Christmas program and as the hobo in the 4-H talent show. These are the hands that held my hands even through the teenage years when at times I just wanted to jerk away in rebellion. Her hands are the hands that held back my hair as I ran to the bathroom with an upset stomach on my prom night “upchucking” my dinner. Her hands are the hands that patted my hands when I was in the hospital giving birth to my sweet Davis. Her hands are the hands that stroked her Mother’s hair as she passed into Heaven. Her hands are the hands that have given hope to Haitians and held pressure on the wounds of the injured. Her hands are amazing. Her hands are the hands that baptized my son. And…until this past weekend, I really thought they were two of a kind.
Probably the most important thing I can tell you about my Mother’s hands is that they were always open to those around her—and they still are. As I watch her ever so patiently taking care of my Dad, I realize her beautiful hands are just as lovely as when I was a child. I hope my hands can bear the same testimony.
Yes, I know I don’t really have her hands—but maybe just as my hands resemble hers that possibly my heart resembles hers as well. Her heart is that of Jesus. I will always be thankful that my Mother took time to tell me the story of Jesus, to write on my heart the Word of God, and to hold my hand through the good and the bad.
March 26, 2011
Held
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell
We’d be held – Held by Natalie Grant
I have probably heard this haunting song a million times. Sometimes I love it and other times, it just passes me by as part of the droan of noise in the background of my coming and going and going and going! But on March 25, 2011- I got it. I heard you Lord loud and clear.
The morning of March 25 was to be a very routine Heart Cath for my Dad. He had been experiencing chest pain and while he basically had failed the stress test the week before due to what we thought was a panic attack, the doctor had ordered this up just as precaution. I remember as Dad was waiting in the cattle shoot to be whisked back for the test, that I told him I was praying for him to have a miracle. Dad in his macho Jesus Vietnam Vet manner looked at me and said, “No I don’t want God to waste one on this—I may need him to do something big in my life one day”. In my head, I’m thinking “do you think God doesn’t have a spare?” Dad said he was praying something was found so that he could have some relief. Shortly thereafter, Dad was taken away to the cath lab.
In what seemed like seconds, we were called back to his room. We waited for the doctor but Dad was actually wheeled in first. Dad started saying, it’s not good. “I’m a ticking time bomb.” Blood drained from the room, and all of a sudden the reminiscing that had taken place while we were waiting was filled with silence and eyes that had been bright and dancing were fighting back tears. Finally the doctor came in. Dad had 12 blocks. He’d need a triple bypass at the least. Later when the surgeon appeared, he confirmed it would indeed be a quadruple bypass.
I looked at Dad and asked him if he thought he could use a miracle now? Our family kind of has a very odd way of dealing with our nerves—we pick at each other, find humor where we can, and basically get kind of loopy. As morbid as it was, Dad even told us how he wanted us to conduct his funeral—no surprise it will probably look like a Vacation Bible School closing program to most! We all did that as we waited the five hours for Dad to be able to walk. This time there were moments of the full gravity of the situation cutting through the laughter as we all hit walls of disbelief. Finally, as it became apparent that there was no room in the OR for another surgery of Dad’s magnitude, the surgeon came to tell us that he would be operated on the first thing Monday morning. Dad would be discharged to my sister’s house where he could recoup without cumbersome stairs and this would actually give us time to bring in more family support. The rest of the family left and Bud took Mom to get things for Jody’s house. I was left with Dad to follow up with the doctors and pre-register for the operation on Monday.
As we started to get him ready to be discharged, Dad and I talked about the reality of the situation and that the Lord didn’t give Dad a miracle today because he had been giving him miracles everyday for over a year. With a heart as bad as Dad’s it was definitely clear, that he could have had a heart attack any day last year. Dad talked about how he had trained his boys over the years to actually push him forward as he lifted his feet so he could walk up and down the mountains. Even two weeks ago as he walked to the river, they had to help him down the bank. But Dad though winded still baptized—I know he was held. As my Dad completed the biggest construction project of his life this past year, my Dad was held. As he traveled the road to search for homeless children during the Earthquake last year, my Dad was held. And on March 25, 2011, my Dad and all of us in that little cattle shoot of a room were held as the doctor revealed pictures of Dad’s heart that seemed too crazy to believe.
You know I have to believe that if God can hold the physical heart of my Dad every day, what more can he do for the life that runs into block after block. Without surgery, my Dad will die. Without divine intervention of the Great Physician removing the blockage between us and God, spiritual death will occur. Please know that I know what it is to be held physically and spiritually—and all God wants to do is hold you. Whether you recognize it as a miracle or not—you have been held.
February 5, 2011
I hadn’t noticed it before but all of a sudden, I grabbed for my pop and a quick piercing pain went through my thumb. Upon further investigation, I found a splinter. A very tiny black splinter that I think I got when I was working in the basement earlier. It wasn’t really a big deal. I took some tweezers and after working a few minutes it was gone. It’s kind of a funny thing. A splinter pretty much goes undetected until you just happen upon it, and most of the time it is easy to rectify. Once its pulled out its gone and the healing begins immediately.
I couldn’t help but think about how this happens when working with our children. As the new Mom of teenagers, I am constantly finding myself in the middle of un-refined, barb-wire-like situations! Most of the time, we get through them unscathed. But there are times that after the situation has passed, I will think back through the events of the day and get a painful twinge as I relive disrespectful words said to me or a rebellious shrug thrown my way in the heat of parenting. For that moment, it is a splinter. It hurts, it pierces my heart and I have a choice—I can dwell on the words and actions or I can pluck it out of my mind remembering that I was once a teenager too. Sometimes (ok often), I find that teenagers can be like rough wood and no doubt as you try to smooth things out, there will be splinters involved. It’s your choice as a parent to let them get under your skin and stay there to fester into a chasm between you and your teen or you can pluck them out, give it to God for healing, and go back to sanding out the rough edges.
Close the book on Evil, God,
but publish your mandate for us.
You get us ready for life:
you probe for our soft spots,
you knock off our rough edges.
And I’m feeling so fit, so safe:
made right, kept right.
God in solemn honor does things right,
but his nerves are sandpapered raw. Psalm 7:9-11 The Message
January 7, 2011
“The Best Christmas Ever by Davis Trousdale
It was a great day. I got what I wanted the most a dog. The dog was tiny and still is. The dog’s name is Toodles he is half chawawa half dachshand so he is called a chiweenie. On Christmas day my puppy and I woke up and went downstairs. When my puppy and I went down stairs it was living room full of presents. I got some football jerseys, football player statues, a camera, lots of stuff. Then my Mom took a picture and put it on her website, facebook, etc. But I had a very rare Christmas to me. That’s why I had a good Christmas. Where this happened was in a small town called Commercial Point and I lived in an old house.“
Hi Folks, I thought I would let you in on what my son turned in as his best Christmas ever. To my surprise, it was not this year! I find it amazing that it was Christmas 2008. Davis and I were on our own at that time. In fact, it was probably the loneliest Christmas for me. There was not a Scott, Kayla, or Chris in the picture. I’m posting this as an encouragement to all the single Moms out there. I praise God for this little piece of paper that showed up in DJ’s book bag today as it made me realize that those years of it just being “me and him” were not a waste–they were special to my little boy. If you are single, you are not incomplete. God loves you. You can make beautiful memories for your children. You can lead your home in God’s ways. If you are facing loneliness, I want to encourage you to push through this on behalf of your children. Do not give up even if your heart is breaking. Stay true to God and one day, your child may come home with a little piece of paper that blesses your heart! God is good and He is faithful. I remember that sad Christmas… I remember that cold drafty house… but for my son it will always be His best Christmas ever. I praise you Lord.
January 7, 2011
Recently, I spent some time with my dearest friend Kelli (which by the way to this day I don’t know if it’s spelled with a y or i). She and I have had this unique God-ordained friendship for a few years now. We both have a lot in common—we both have an overflowing passion for the Lord, we love music, we love kids, and we love good conversation and Japanese food. What more could you ask for? God has been good to me through my friendship with her. Over the years, we have both shared heartaches as well as mountain-top experiences. Don’t you just love girlfriends and the richness they bring to your life? I hope you have at least one woman in your life that offers you depth, hope, and encouragement.
Over some Japanese food the other day I was sharing with Kelli my frustrations with some personal and professional events and she said that with her kids she has always stressed the 3 Cs! With everything she has always taught her children to serve God completely, cheerfully, and without complaining—that totally resonated with me. She would even tell her kids to redo a chore if it was completed but not with a cheerful spirit.
I wonder how incredible our families, churches, and businesses would be if we would just incorporate the 3 Cs—finish the task completely, cheerfully, and without complaining? I’m not one to make New Year resolutions because I never keep them—however, as a challenge from our Senior Minister, I have decided to keep one—“I promise that as God directs me, I will make a change for 2011.” In that vein, I do feel the 3 C’s are going to be part of my 2011 regimen.
