Diagnosed At Birth

 
I'm sure you've all seen people dumping buckets of ice water over their heads. Facebook. Instagram. Social media has been inundated with these posts. They've all been in efforts to raise awareness for ALS. And, if the research is done ethically, I think it's a great cause. 

But don't worry. No ice buckets will be dumped here.

I wanted to share about a different disease - one I was born with. This month marks my 20th anniversary of being healed. 20 years!

The main difference between this disease and others, however, is that it is more deadly. But, unlike Lou Gehrig's disease, there is a cure.

In August of 1994, for the first time in my life, I saw myself for who I really was - a sinner. Sure, I was still a child. I hadn't killed anyone. I hadn't gotten drunk or done what the world would consider a major mess up. But the fact remained. I had still sinned. And even that one sin was enough to separate me from a perfect and holy and righteous Creator. 

I'm so grateful to the Lord that He knocked on my heart's door that night. Laying in bed, I heard him call my name. No - it wasn't audible. At least to anyone else. But I know beyond any doubts that, in His still small voice, Jesus' plea of mercy and forgiveness were so undeservedly extended to me that night. There is truth in the lyrics of that age old hymn - my eyes, which were blinded, suddenly saw for the first time.

In my parent's bedroom, I knelt down and asked Jesus Christ to forgive me. I don't remember the exact words I prayed. I don't even remember the exact date. But I know His promises are true when He says, 'For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' (Romans 10:13)

The past 20 years haven't seen me be perfect. I still sin. After all, it was my soul that was saved - not my flesh. But I have a Redeemer who has never forsaken me. He has protected me. Guided me. Loved me. 

The longer I live, the more I see that everything this world has to offer pales in comparison to seeing my Savior glorified. Money. A successful career. Notoriety. None of it matters. In the end, I can't take anything with me when I leave. Anything except for other people, that is. Will you be joining me?

I pray your answer is yes. If not, today can be your day of healing. 

I'm thankful that twenty years ago Jesus Christ saved me. At my physical birth, I was diagnosed a sinner. But thank the Lord, at my spiritual birth, He changed my prognosis. From sinner to saint. From lost to found. 

Let today be your re-birth. Let today be the day your diagnosis is forever changed.

Life After The Storm

While my parents have been out of town, I've been tending to my dad's garden. And I must say, I've gained a whole new appreciation for the amount of work that goes into them. I'm sure the next piece of squash or freshly sliced tomato that hits my mouth will suddenly be juicier and more delicious than ever!

And if you've spent any amount of time around me, you will know that I love me some fried okra.

Mmmm. I bet your mouth is watering even now as you're reading this isn't it? (If it's not, either one of two things is going on: you're crazy or you're a Yankee.)

This afternoon as I finished making my rounds up and down the rows, the Lord spoke to my heart. As I was carrying the heavy bucket of fresh produce back to the house, He reminded me of the power of a storm.

You see, a couple days ago, I had done the exact same thing. I put my rubber boots on, grabbed the same orange pail, and went to pick the ripe veggies. And, although I got a fair amount of squash and cucumbers, I only got one piece of okra that was big enough. Just one.

But today, that was not the case. I had a hand full.

Although that might not seem like much, when compared to just one piece from a few days ago, you can see why I was excited.

And that's when God reminded me it was all because of the storms. You see, last night it rained. And it thundered. And there was lightning. And then it rained some more. All. Night. Long.

But fruit came from that storm. Something good was the end product.

And that's the same way in our lives as Christians.

Sure, no one likes to go through storms. It's never fun when you're in the midst of life's turmoil. But how much easier it is to rest in the fact that God is working. When we're down at the bottom, Christ is up to something.

(Disclaimer: there are certain trials in a Christian's life that are the result of sin and disobedience. God is trying to bring you to repentance through those difficulties. Those are not the type of storms I am referring to here.)

In Matthew 14, we see the disciples out on a boat in the middle of a storm. The wind was howling and the waves were tossing the boat. But perhaps we often miss the 'fruit' that was produced as a result of this storm.

Matthew 14:33 states, 'Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.'

True worship.

It took a storm in their lives to produce a worship so real and genuine, leading to a greater understanding in their lives of who God was. An understanding that, without the storm experience, they might never have received.

A miracle.

During the storm, Jesus walked on water. I know, if you're like me, you've grown up in Sunday school hearing this Biblical account so much that the very act of defying gravity does not even amaze you anymore. But it truly was a miracle. And, without the storm, they may have never witnessed it.

And an ever greater promise than the expectation of coming fruit is that Christ will never leave us during these storms. (Hebrews 13:5)

So, perhaps you're going through a storm right now. Or maybe one is just around the corner. Just know that God is using them to produce fruit in your life.

Maybe you'll witness a miracle. Or maybe you'll gain a more intimate knowledge of God and obtain a true heart of worship.

Either way, those should be areas of comfort and hope while the storms are raging.

Just as I can enjoy a plate full of fried okra as a direct result of the rain, so too can I take comfort in the fact that life will be sweeter when the storms subside.

No Solamente Otro Sello

Que yo pueda regresar diferente - determinada para invertir el resto de mi tiempo aquí en la tierra para un propósito eternal, celestial.

Estas son las palabras que yo escribí antes de llegar a Honduras esta semana pasada. Yo verdaderamente quería que Dios hiciera una obra en mi corazón. Mi oración fue que esto no seria solamente orto viaje. Claro yo estaba entusiasmada de comer comida nueva, ver lugares diferentes y abrazar una cultura nueva. Pero no quería que eso fuera todo. No quería regresar simplemente agregando otro sello a mi pasaporte. 

El Senor respondió a mi oración.

No tuva una experiencia de una zarza ardiente como Moises y no vi la escritura en la pared mencionado en el libro de Daniel. Pero en maneras pequenas Dios hablo con mi corazón durante nuestro viaje. Y resulta que en querer que Dios me cambie el me mostró que en realidad no se trataba de mi, se trataba de el usandonos nosotros para animar a otros. 

Para ayudarle a entender, yo siento la necesidad de darle una breve historia de fondo del misionero que visitamos, Arvil Smith.

El ha estado sirviendo fielmente al Senor en misiones desde 1977. Empezando en Costa Rica y ahora en Honduras. Hermano Smith ha dado su vida compartiendo el evangelico con la gente de America Central. 

En realidad, una declaración que el hizo en este viaje lo resume todo:

'Si yo me muero o Cristo viene, El me va a encontrar sirviéndole. Eso es seguridad de trabajo!'

Piensa en esto un momento. 

Como podríamos darle vuelta a esta mundo para la gloria de Jesucristo si todo Cristiano, incluyéndome a mi se despertara cada mañana dandose cuenta que eso es nuestro trabajo verdadero mientras estamos aquí en la tierra.

Pero Dios uso otra declaración que hizo el hermano Smith en este viaje para agarrar mi corazón y ensebarme que me estaba contestando mi oración de ser cambiada, pero lo hizo de una manera que nunca pensé.

El hermano Arvil simplemente dijo en referencia a nuestro grupo viniendo a visitarlo:

'Esta es una de las bendiciones mas grandes que he recibido desde que soy misionero.'

Empece a pensar.

Y entonces el pensamiento comenzó a hundirse aun mas.

Quiere decirme que este hombre que ha sido misionero por mas de 35 anos fue bendecido tanto simplemente teniendo una visita de nuestro grupo esta semana?

No me sentia que estábamos haciendo algo especial. En realidad pasando el rato con los estudiantes fue un privilegio y un honor para mi. Quería hacer eso mas que ver a los lugares de interés de Comayagua, el pueblo donde nos quedamos. (Yo quería traerme a los niños para mi casa en Estados Unidos también!)

Y entonces comencé a tener el corazón roto. Pasar tanto tiempo sirviendo al Senor fuera de su país natal y lejos de su familia y no tener a nadie de su iglesia visitare. 

Me pregunto cuantos misioneros mas les falta ese tipo de apoyo?

Eso es cuando comencé a ver este viaje bajo una luz diferente. Este viaje sirvió un propósito que nunca había pensado. Si una semana puede animar a una persona a seguir sirviendo al Senor, entonces mi tiempo y mi dinero no fue en vano. 

Quieres ser alguien que da animo a otros?

Yo quiero motiva a aquellos que están sirviendo fielmente para que sigan adelante.

Su servicio al Senor esta haciendo la diferencia. Vida están siendo afectados y cambiados y viene una recompensa, si no es ahora, definitivamente en el Cielo.

Si nunca has tomado un viaje de misiones, lo recomiendo. Usted sera cambiado y en el proceso usted sera una bendición a los que visitas.

Por ahora mi pasaporte solo tiene sellos de 3 países diferentes (y yo no voy a contar uno de ellos porque fue un niaje personal y no del ministerio). Si es la voluntad del Senor estoy pidiendo que este libro este lleno de sellos antes de que se termine mi tiempo aquí en la tierra.

Pero esos sellos ya no son solo una marca de verificación en una lista de destinos de viaje. Quiero que representen gente que necesitan ser animados y mas importante, almas que necesitan oír el evangelio de Jesucristo.

Not Just Another Stamp

May I come back different - determined and driven to invest the rest of my time here on earth for an eternal, heavenly purpose.

These were the words I penned before arriving in Honduras this past week. I truly wanted God to work in my heart. My prayer was that this wouldn't be just another trip. Sure, I was excited to experience new food, see new sights, embrace a new culture. But I didn't want that to be it. I didn't want to come back simply adding another stamp to my passport.

The Lord answered my prayer.

I didn't have some 'burning bush' experience like Moses or actually see the 'handwriting on the wall' mentioned in the book of Daniel. But in little ways throughout our trip, God spoke to my heart. And it turns out that, in wanting God to change me, He showed me it really wasn't about me at all. It was about Him, using us, to encourage others.

To help you understand, I feel I need to give you a quick background story on the missionary we visited, Arvil Smith. 

He has been faithfully serving the Lord on the mission field since 1977. Starting out in Costa Rica, and now in Honduras, Brother Smith has given his life to sharing the Gospel with the people in Central America. In fact, a statement he made on the trip pretty much sums up his heart:

'Whether I die or Christ comes back, He's going to find me serving Him. That's job security!'

Wow! How this world could be turned upside down for the glory of Jesus Christ if every Christian, me included, woke up each morning realizing that that's our true job while we're here on earth.

But God used another statement Brother Arvil made on the trip to grip my heart and show me He was answering my prayer to be changed, but in a way I wasn't thinking about.

He simply said this in reference to our group coming to visit him:

'This is one of the biggest blessings I've had since being on the mission field.'

I began to think.

And then the thought began to sink in even more. 

You mean to tell me that this man, who has been on the mission field for over 35 years, was blessed that much simply by having our group come down to visit him for a week?

I didn't feel that we were doing anything special. In fact, hanging out with the students was a privilege and honor for me. I looked forward to that more than I did seeing the sights of Comayagua, the town we were staying in. (I may have wanted to bring the kids back home to the United States with me as well!)

And then I began to be heart broken. To go that long serving the Lord, away from your native country and family, and to not have someone from your home church come to visit.

I wonder how many other missionaries there are lacking this same type of support? This same type of encouragement?

That's when I began to view this mission trip in a different light. This trip served a purpose I had never thought about. If one week can encourage someone to keep serving the Lord, then my time and money was not in vain.

I want to be an encourager.

I want to motivate those who are faithfully serving to keep going. Your service to the Lord is making a difference. Lives are being affected and changed and reward day is coming, if not now, then definitely in Heaven.

And if you've never taken a mission trip before, I would highly recommend it. You will be changed and, in the process, you will be a blessing to those you visit.

Right now, my passport only has three different country's stamps in it. (And I'm not counting one because it was a personal trip that wasn't ministry-related.) If it's the Lord's will, I'm asking for that book to be covered in stamps before my time here on earth is over. 

But those stamps are no longer just a check mark on a list of travel destinations. May they represent stewards who need to be encouraged and, more importantly, souls who need to hear about the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Becoming Mary When My Flesh Screams Martha

If you could only see what I'm surrounded by even as I type this blog. There's probably glitter stuck to me somewhere, there are construction paper footprints on the floor next to me (our VBS spy-themed curriculum explains this!), and there are markers strung across the table. On top of that, I can't help but think of the looming video deadline for my church's patriotic 'God & Country' Sunday that's just around the corner.

These are just a few of the major things atop my 'To Do' list. And when I think about all of the other stuff I need to get done, it can stress me out.

I'm sure you, friend, can find yourself in a similar situation. Your list may be comprised of different items, but the list is still there, nonetheless. And no matter how much you ignore it, the fact remains that we are a busy people.

I wonder if this is how Martha felt?

Sure, Martha didn't have detective-inspired room decor all over her living room floor. But still, there was work to be done. Jesus Christ Himself was coming to HER house! Can you imagine the cleaning that must have been going on?

But, no matter how busy Martha was, it was Mary who Jesus said 'hath chosen that good part.' She simply sat at Jesus' feet and heard His Word.

As I was preparing for one of our VBS lessons next week, these two verses stuck out to me:

And thou shalt love the Lord they God with all they heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

None other.

Let that sink in.  None. 

That means I can be as busy as I want, but if I'm not loving the Lord with everything I have, then I'm missing God's purpose for my life, no matter how many items I cross off my 'To Do' list. And it's not the type of love that's so casually used today between individuals. It's a love that requires ALL of me - my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength.

It's only then that this love for God will pour over into loving others and serving the Lord with the right intentions. But it has to start with spending time with God, in His Word and in prayer. 

Sure, I love what I'm doing. I am excited to be teaching some young girls next week about God's love for them. I'm excited to be able to put together some videos for our church's patriotic service. But I don't want the busyness of my schedule to distract me from ultimately choosing the better option. 

Jesus Christ goes further to say that not only did Mary choose the good part, but she chose that which was 'needful.' 

May we see the NEED of spending time at Jesus' feet. Lord, even when my flesh screams for Martha, may the Mary spirit be what I choose!

Real Love Is Confrontational

Confrontation. 

The mere mention of the word makes me uncomfortable.

I've always been a people pleaser. A 'yes' person, so to speak - even if it meant doing something I didn't want to or taking on an additional task or assignment when my work load was already full.

One summer I took a babysitting job I didn't want to simply because I couldn't bring myself to tell the parents no!

Pathetic, right?

I know that may seem like a trivial example that plays no significant role in the grand scheme of life. (Hey, if anything, it was good preparation for motherhood!) But I'm afraid the fear of confrontation has spilled over into more meaningful areas of my life, namely being more bold in my efforts to share the Gospel message with a lost and dying world.

What if they think I'm judging them?

What if they stop talking to me?

What if it creates an uncomfortable situation?

The problem with all of these questions is that they are saturated in pride. The focus is on me rather than on the Savior who died for them. The real question that should be daily burdening my soul is, Where will they spend eternity if they don't meet Jesus?!

God showed me something a few days ago that really opened my eyes. It's this...real love is confrontational.

Jesus Christ Himself was a very confrontational person. He confronted individuals with their sin.  And in doing so, His love was not minimized in the slightest bit. If anything, it was during these times that it shone brightest. 

In Mark chapter 10, Jesus tells of a rich young ruler who came to Him asking how he could inherit eternal life. This man considered himself to be a good person, as indicated in his response to all of the areas of the law he had not broken. Verse 21 says:

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, and sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

This isn't teaching a works-based salvation. But before this man, or anyone else for that matter, could accept the Gospel, he had to recognize his need. Jesus saw how he trusted in the observance of a set of rules. As a result, his need was for Christ to confront him with the one thing he lacked.

But the part that stands out to me the most is what preceded Christ's confrontation.

Then Jesus....loved him!

Oftentimes, confrontation has a negative connotation. And I'm sure our politically correct society does not help with this at all. After all, we can't truly love someone if we don't agree with them, right?

Wrong.

I'm so thankful that Jesus Christ was confrontational with me. At the age of nine years old, He showed me I was a sinner, lost without Him, and on my way to Hell. And that was the GREATEST act of love I've ever been shown in my entire life!

What a perfect example to follow.  

Lord, help me to be bold. Help me to be confrontational. Help me to love. 

For My Brother

I don't even know how to begin this blog.

I thought about using a quote. You know, something powerful and captivating that would pull you in and make you want to read further. (Because my own writing doesn't always have that same effect!) But I couldn't find one that said exactly what I wanted it to.

How do you describe someone so special in such a short amount of words anyways?

A person who you've known your entire life, who shares your same last name, and who is about to embark on a life changing journey in just a few short hours.

Meet my brother, Travis.

He's four years my junior, despite being a good 7 inches taller than me. He has a unique love for our parents' cat, Skittles, and succeeds in practically everything he tries. He's become my Braves game companion (when he's in town), and he has an uncanny ability to always make a joke about our mom's doilies.

(No, you didn't just read an eHarmony dating profile about him, although, ladies, he is single!)

Tomorrow my brother leaves for his second deployment to Afghanistan with the United States Army. I don't know what he's feeling right now. The emotions going through his head...the thoughts as he packs his last bag and boards his long flight to the Middle East.

All I know is that I love him and I'm grateful for the choice he has made to serve our country. Trav does what he does because he wants to. No one forced him into the military, nor does he come from a family lineage full of servicemen. It was a choice he made and a pledge, I feel, he's upholding with integrity.

I know I sometimes struggle with telling others what they mean to me.  It's a shame, really, that I often pass up an opportunity to thank someone and encourage them. After all, we are commanded in God's Word to exhort others. (Hebrews 3:13)

So, Trav, as you leave to serve our country - to serve me - here is what I want to say to you:

I don't know what it's like to pack up everything I own and head into the middle of a war zone, to have the unfamiliar suddenly become normal routine. But I do know one thing. God is faithful and will keep every promise He's ever made to you. He will be there when you feel you have no one to turn to- when homesickness starts to settle in and you just want to leave. I pray that you'll feel God's presence and guidance every step of the way and that you'll turn to Him always. And just like your physical job requires armor, so too does your spiritual calling. (Ephesians 6:10-20) Thank you for choosing to serve and for your willingness to go. I'm honored to call you my brother, and I look forward to having you back home safe. I love you, Travis!   

(Don't kill me for this one, Trav! You were too cute not to post!)

A Glimpse Into Heaven

As we stood in a circle praying before we left, their beautiful brown-toned skin clasped our pale white hands. The horns of jeepneys and music from the food vendors below seamlessly vanished, leaving only the voices of two nationalities lifting up their cries to the Lord. English, Tagalog...it didn't matter. The Holy Spirit was moving in that upstairs church building, and I suddenly felt my eyes fill with tears. The last 'amen' was said, we gave our goodbyes, gathered our luggage, and headed to the airport to begin the trip home.

____________________________________

This was just one of the wonderful memories I will carry away with me from my trip to the Philippines. I believe the Lord has shown me a very tiny glimpse of what Heaven will be like one day.

Rev. 7:9-10 'After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.'

I think it's easy, at least for me, to get trapped into having an American mindset, rather than a proper world view - one that includes all nations and ethnic groups.

It's not something I intentionally set out to do. But, if I stop and think about it, I'm around the same type of people every day. We are Americans. I eat with them. I work with them. I go to church with them. And I love them.

I am grateful to God for allowing me to be born in the United States. But Christ died for the world, not just America. (John 3:16)

When God talks about the harvest being ready, those are not just lost souls in Cumming, Georgia. There are people all across this globe needing the salvation that can only come from having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

And the exciting news is that Christ will save anyone who comes to Him by faith. American. Filipino. They are all precious in our Creator's eyes.

I'm thankful that, despite being in the Philippines for just a very short time, God allowed me to meet and fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ. It was amazing to me that, despite our obvious physical and cultural differences, the bond we share in the Lord was strong enough to overcome them all.

As I sat on the plane scribbling down my thoughts, only a few hours away from arriving back home, I feel like I have left a piece of me in the Philippines. Lord willing, we plan to go back next year. But my prayer is that no matter where the Lord takes me, I'll be reminded of my duty as a Christian to carry the Gospel message to the world. And I am encouraged knowing I have new friends half way across the globe who share this same desire and who, I believe, will be with me one day in eternity praising and worshipping our Lord and Savior together!

Ang Panginoon Ay Karapat-dapat Sa Lahat Ng Kapurihan!

Loving Valentine's Day...yet single?

Grocery stores are being peppered with pink and red candies. Hallmark seems to have birthed an entire new aisle of cards for the occasion, while flower stores are amping up for the sudden surge that's about to hit them.

And I'm sure every year around this time you hear the jokes and bitterness that seem to surface by those who are without a significant other.

'Happy Singles Awareness Day,' you hear them say, with cynicism in their voice that I'm sure makes all married or dating people want to avoid them at all costs.

I have a secret confession.

I absolutely LOVE Valentine's Day. And guess what? I'm single!

No, I didn't write this blog post to condemn any single person who's ever felt left out during this time of year. Nor did I write it to come across as if I have it all together. I would be lying if I told you there were not times that have been more difficult than others. When many of my friends are already experiencing parenthood, it's easy to put my life next to theirs and, with not even a boyfriend in sight, begin to question the Lord.

You know, God, I'm not getting any younger.

My childbearing years aren't going to last forever.

As if God doesn't know my current circumstance or what is best for me. Silly, when you stop and think about it, I know!

But that's exactly what we do.

However, I know God's ways and His timing is perfect. And I know He's working, even in the waiting.

Perhaps, friend, God is working in you in ways that will prepare you to be a better wife. A better mother. And I know I'm speaking to the ladies (since that's the only perspective I can attest to), but it's the same for you single guys as well.

God has taught me some things during this time of my life that I would love to share with other singles out there that might change not only the way you view Valentine's Day, but how you look at your relationship status altogether.

God is the only One who can truly satisfy you.

Even if God were to send you a boyfriend/husband today (or girlfriend/wife for all the guys), this person will never be able to fill the place of your Savior. The joy. The peace. The abundant life. It all comes from having a personal, intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. And no matter how many lies the world tries to cram down your throat, you will never experience that by trying to put another individual in the place designed only for your Creator.

Is marriage wrong then? Absolutely NOT. God ordained the institution of marriage and said it's a good thing. But when we take this good thing and place it over the BEST thing, we've created an idol and have set ourselves up for a life of discontentment.

Don't let God's love for you be dependent upon whether or not you have a significant other.

I doubt many have you have actually verbally done this. But if we get down to the core of our heart and thoughts, I think many of us (you can't see me, but I've got my hand raised as well) have questioned God's love for us during our time of singleness.

Everyone else is married, or at least in a relationship. God must love them more than He loves me. Why else would He be withholding that from me?

Friend, God's love for all of us was displayed at Calvary. John 3:16 says, 'For God so lovED the world.' The loved is past tense, which points back to a particular time and place. That time and place is the cross. God's love for us shouldn't be measured by our present circumstances - married or unmarried. Instead, we should always look to the cross as the measuring stick of God's love. Even if you don't feel like it, you are LOVED!

Don't put your life on hold while waiting for a significant other.

If you are His child, God has called all of us to be in full time Christian service. Sure, we might not all be called to be missionaries or pastors' wives. But we are all called to love God, to obey Him, and to share His truth with a lost and dying world. Don't waste this time of singleness saying you'll start serving God when you get married. Now is the time. God could open up doors for you that can only be fulfilled during this particular season of your life. And I'm pretty sure that if you aren't serving God now, a wedding band around your finger isn't suddenly going to make you change your ways.

Expressing your love isn't confined to a significant other.

I think many times single people don't like Valentine's Day because they automatically think that only people in a relationship can enjoy this holiday. Love isn't confined between a husband and a wife or a boyfriend and girlfriend. I have so many people in my life that I can truly say I love. Why can't I send them a card letting them know how much they mean to mean to me? What's stopping me from sending flowers to someone who's impacted my life in a special way?

I challenge you, single readers, to do something like this for someone special in your life. You'll be surprised how good it will make you feel. (And I'm positive the person on the receiving end will be blessed!)

So, friend, February 14th is coming. You can allow Satan to stir up bitterness in you towards those who are in a relationship. Or, you can embrace it head on and use it for God's glory.

As for me, I choose the latter. After all, I love Valentine's Day!

Not Without Hope

As I write this, I am less than 24 hours in from finding out my grandfather has gone home to be with the Lord.

My heart is heavy. A grandparent holds a special place in your heart and life - losing their presence here on earth naturally produces sadness. But amidst my hurting heart, God has proven himself faithful. When I got off the phone with my mom in the middle of the night last night, God brought this verse to my mind.

1 Thes. 4:13 - 'But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.'

These tears that have ran down my cheeks are really tears of hope. The confidence that I will see my grandfather again. The assurance that he is no longer hurting. The assurance that he is reunited with my grandmother. The assurance that he is now in the presence of his Creator. What an amazing comfort!

The reason I have this comfort is because of my grandfather's testimony. I'm grateful for an opportunity God gave me just this past Thanksgiving. Our entire family was able to be together for the holiday and God allowed me to be able to talk with my grandfather about the Lord. He told me there was a time in his life he asked Jesus to save him.

Even earlier this morning I received a text from my mom saying my grandfather's Realtor had personally talked with my grandfather about his relationship with the Lord and confirmed my grandfather told him the same thing.

If there's something I've learned and want to share with you, friend, it's this: life is precious and we are not promised tomorrow. Do you know where you'll spend eternity? Do you know where your friends and family will?

I'm grateful God has given me this assurance for my grandfather, but I want you, reader, to also know the same thing. Eternity is too long to play with.

God says in His word that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23). The price to pay for this sin is death (Romans 6:23). But, in His love for us, God provided His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the death penalty that you and I rightfully deserve (John 3:16). And the amazing thing is, all we have to do is freely receive this gift of eternal life.

Romans 10:13 states, 'For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

Realizing you are a sinner, believing Christ died and rose again for your sins, and asking Him to forgive you and come into your heart and save you from your sin - that's all you have to do.

It's not about being a good person. It's not about going to church or being a specific denomination. It's simply about having a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Friend, I love you. I care about your soul. But even more than I do, Jesus does. If you haven't already made a decision to ask Christ into your heart, why not do it now? Why gamble with eternity?

I know there's noting that would make me happier than knowing you've asked the Lord to save you. And I'm confident if my grandfather could speak to you now, amongst the presence of a holy, loving and righteous Creator, his plea to you would be the same.

So, as I say 'see you later' to my grandfather, I say it in confidence. I say it knowing this is not the end. One day we'll be reunited and, together, we'll be in the perfect presence of the One who gave Himself for the world. And that is something that gives me hope!

2014: A Year For His Glory

 

2014. Really, already? 

I will probably be dating myself but doesn’t it seem like just yesterday that talks of Y2K were circulating? (On a side note, I remember this store not far from my house that opened specifically for the purpose of selling items to prepare for the panic that was sure to set in once the computers crashed at midnight on December 31, 1999.)

It’s funny looking back on that now.

But whether it’s the start of 2000 or the start of 2014, one thing that’s common is talks of resolutions, or goals.

I’ve actually never been one to create goals for the new year. I’m not sure why. The Bible says, ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish:’ (Prov. 29:18). 

This year, the Lord has been working on me about not only writing down goals, but developing a purpose statement for my life. And it’s centered around this one verse: 

Revelation 4:11 ‘Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou has created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.’ 

That’s it. That’s why I was created. My life, my goals, my purpose - they should all be about bringing my Lord and Savior glory. 

I want this year to be the best year yet. What about you friends? 

And whatever you do, please don’t let the fear of failure stop you from making this year great. Don’t let last year’s failed resolutions scare you into thinking you won’t be able to keep this year’s! 

I was recently reading in Genesis how Abraham - an amazing man of faith - slipped into sin. God had just given him this incredible promise of future blessing and yet, right after this promise, Abraham lied. But the thing that stuck out to me the most was what Abraham did after he messed up. He returned ‘unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first:’ (Genesis 13:4). 

He could have dwelt on his sin and decided there was no point in moving forward. He could have had a pity party for himself.

Instead, he chose to return to the original place he first met with God, seek forgiveness, and move forward in His walk with the Lord. 

Pilgrims, let that be your attitude this year! Whatever your goals or resolutions are, may you seek to bring Him the glory that He deserves. And  if  when you mess up, return to the place of your original commitment. 2014 is here. Let’s make the most of it - for His glory!