My God is Faithful

Sometimes you just have to sit and reflect. Last night and this morning, I have been so overwhelmed with God's mercy and grace in my life that I have had to sit and process. As I think back over the years and look through journal entries, I remember a time of frustration. Frustrated because I love missions, and as a busy homeschooling mom, my time was very limited. Frustrated because every opportunity that I would pursue, the door would close. Frustrated because I began having struggles and doubts in my Christian walk because of situations I was going through.

In April of 2013, my journal entry notes a day of prayer. One topic of prayer was for ministry opportunities. In July of 2013 I wrote, "Each day I am trusting God to help me be spiritually wide awake. Seeing and meeting the needs right where I am." Through the words of Christine Caine in her book Undaunted, God began showing me that my mission field at that moment in my life needed to be my home and my community. Striving to be faithful in the everyday, ordinary life and being satisfied where He had me.

Yes, the desire for serving in other areas of mission work was still very strong, but I began to realize that if God wanted me to be involved in it, He would provide the way. I honestly began praying that if God wanted me to be a part of a ministry, He would drop it in my lap.

In March of 2014, my husband Chris went to a men's supper where Greg Pendarvis with Victory Sports Outreach was the speaker. I knew the name and knew he was related to me, but I had never met him. That supper led to Chris calling me on the way home and telling me, "You need to get in contact with your cousin. You need to be involved in his ministry." I met Greg and his family for the first time in July of 2014 when my kids and I arrived in St. George for our first mission trip with Victory Sports Outreach. And yes, God provided a ministry not only for me to be involved with, but my kids also.

Since that trip a little over a year ago, God has continued to move. Sometimes in ways I didn't understand or like, but always for my good because He is faithful. . He has placed us in a mission-minded church with a strong children's ministry. He has allowed us to serve for a second time with Victory Sports in St. George. He provides opportunities in the everyday and mundane.

As I sit here and reflect on my weekend, my heart is full, and I am thankful. Thankful for the opportunity to serve with my Sunday School class on Saturday night to throw a community event to raise funds for Child Evangelism Fellowship. Thankful to witness a baptism on Sunday and hear my cousin Greg give glory to God for what He is doing through Victory Sports. Thankful to have time with Greg and Mia who have brought so much encouragement to my life in this past year. Thankful for what God is doing in my children's lives. Thankful for what God is doing in my life.

What blows me away in these circumstances in my life is God's faithfulness, mercy, and grace. I don't deserve His love or to be used by Him. By His mercy and grace, He chose to love me despite my lack of love, my unfaithfulness, and yes, sometimes anger towards Him. It is quite humbling to reflect back on how God has answered my prayer. He is always at work. Sometimes we don't understand our circumstances, but God is working to grow us and put us in the place He wants us to be. How amazing to think that He has a plan for each of our lives. I don't know your situation today, but God does. Maybe you have frustrations, hurts, anger. God knows every detail of our lives. He knows the desires of our hearts. He answers prayer, it's not always on the timeline we think, and it's not always in the way that we thought it would be, but He is faithful and full of mercy and grace. I pray you can rest in His faithfulness today.

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

Victory in Jesus

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57

This morning I sit quietly at my desk, my heart so full from what I have experienced this  past week. For 5 days I have been surrounded by excited children and teenagers who were participating in Victory Sports Camp in St. George. I have to admit, I absolutely loved our bright shirts this week. As I looked out at our bright orange and red "fire" shirts, I couldn't help but think of the light who is Jesus Christ driving out the darkness of sin. John 1:5 says, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

Each morning Coach P went over the colors to present Jesus Christ and salvation to the campers. As we dismissed to the separate sports, I loved hearing the excitement in children's voices and seeing the many smiling faces. Mid morning, my heart would swell as I looked out at all the children gathered in circles around their leaders as they had devotions.

My mornings were busy applying band-aids and ice packs. and sometimes just talking and spending time with a child who needed to rest and cool down. I loved every minute of it and was so thankful for no major injuries and God's protection of the campers and leaders.

In the afternoons I was so blessed to be able to help in a new station called GROW. This station gave the children the tools that they need to further grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. It was such a blessing to hear the children pray with their leaders, help them learn to find passages of Scripture in their new Bibles so they could read it on their own, and hear the leaders share their testimonies with the children as they gave examples of being a witness.

God moved this week. He was present and working in many lives. Seeds were planted, and I am encouraged by God's promise in Philippines 1:6- "And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Not only did God work in campers lives, He worked in leaders lives, and He worked in my families lives. I loved when one of the leaders told the children in his group that when God works in their lives and changes them, it also changes the lives of the leaders. It was amazing to see God at work this week- meeting specific needs for my family, actively working in campers and leaders lives, bringing children and teenagers unto Himself, and bringing a community together through the love of Jesus Christ.

My God is an awesome God. My God is Light. My God is Mighty to Save. My God is a Holy God full of Love and Grace. I pray that you know my God. To Him be the Glory!

Thanks, God

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God."

Philippians 4:6

Some days you wake up feeling drained both mentally and physically. So much is on your mind, so many friends and family who are going through struggles and need prayer, and for some reason pain from 28 years ago runs deep today. You just want to pull the covers back up over your head, but children will be waking soon, animals need to be fed, and the to-do list is over a mile long. 

What do you do? How are you going to get through this day and get everything done in the midst of feeling like you just want to stay wrapped up in the covers?

For me, I have to look up. Focus on the positive and all that God is and what He has done and is doing in my life. Quite honestly, it can be a fight to change your focus to Christ, and sometimes I just don't have the energy. Ann Voskamp's mother-in-law told her the devil flees from hymns. So guess what, hymns are playing right now. Also, I have seen the impact that actively thanking God has on changing my perspective. So, a walk around the yard reveals much to be grateful for. 

       

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I Thessalonians 5:16-18

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song." Psalm 28:7                                                                          

                                                   

The same God that created the beauty that I see around me everyday in the flowers and animals, in the clouds and the sky, the mighty trees and the vast galaxies- that same God loves and cares about me. And no matter how I feel or what I am anxious about, He is with me.

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

 Colossians 2:6-7

Hope

My heart breaks this morning. The headlines tell of another mass shooting, another tragedy. This one in a church. It can be so overwhelming- so much evil, hurt, and pain in this fallen world that we call our home.

Many headlines lately have caused my mind to swirl. These tragedies are not new and have happened for centuries all over the world, but with social media, we hear about so much that happens. I'm not sure that our human minds were made to handle all of that.

 Respect for human life seems to be lacking. Our society is so consumed with self, hate, and broken identities. I think about it often, that verse in Genesis that talks about man being created in the image of God. How I wonder if people believed that, if life would be considered so much more sacred.

I don't have all the answers. I have questions myself. I do however believe in a sovereign God who does have all the answers. When sin entered the beautiful world that God created, what a tragedy that was! But as Sally Loyd- Jones writes in the Jesus Storybook Bible, "It will not always be so! I [God] will come to rescue you! And when I do, I'm going to do battle against the snake [Satan]. I'll get rid of the sin and the dark and the sadness you let in here. I'm coming back for you! And He would."So we do have hope in the midst of tragedy.

As I sit in my yard this morning reflecting in the quiet, I will choose to speak truth to myself from God's Word. I will choose to focus on the One who does offer hope of a better future and One who can bring meaning to life. And yes, I will choose to pray.

All over facebook there is #prayforcharleston. Are we actually praying? Are we believing that God can heal, protect, and change lives? Do we truly have faith that He can bring peace in the midst of this storm?

I challenge you today, Yes, PRAY; Yes, HAVE FAITH; Yes, BELIEVE; but don't stop there. ACT upon that faith. Touch someones life today, make someone feel special. We are created in the image of God. Make people feel like their lives matter. Our world is desperately in need of love and Christians stepping up and bringing the light in darkness and offering hope.

To My Girl

My Dear Girl,

Today we sat on the swing set watching the horses graze in the yard. Then, I hoisted you up, and you rode bare back while I led the horses around the yard. I sit now feeling thankful and blessed.

Yesterday I read an article by Ann Voskamp. Girls younger than you being sold and mistreated. Girls torn from their families and their poor hearts being ripped apart. I got up with a heavy heart, broken for these young ones.

I know that God loves you both. He has a plan for each of you, but why some have to endure such horror, I cannot say. I can only trust His promises, and He gives them the same promises that He gives you. I encourage you to read His promises, memorize His promises, keep them in your heart because those promises are what get you through this life.

My Dear Girl, I pray that you do not take this life that God has given you for granted. You have so many blessings in your life right now. I hope that you will always look at the big picture. In our society, it becomes easy to be near sighted and only look at the things that affect you right here and right now. As Christians, God calls us to love and serve others. That is not the norm for the American middle class. I pray that we don't become so inward that we neglect to see the needs of others around us. Don't get caught up in the petty squabbles that will distract you from focusing on Christ and His work through you. Remember Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

You have so much life, passion, and spunk. You have pushed me to do things that I thought were impossible. You have made me grow and become a better person. I see your smile when you do something for someone else. I love the "thank-yous" you leave for waiters and waitresses at restaurants. Keep doing for others. Keep your eyes open and be ready to share God's love with others. Keep trusting Him to help you grow and to mold you into the person He wants you to be. He has big plans for you, and I am so glad that I get to be your mom and see you grow in His love.

Love you bunches!
Mom

He Still Loves Me

Do you ever sit and ponder the vastness of God's love for you? Over the past few weeks the word love has come to mind many, many times. The words from a song have swirled around in my head and burst out through my lips-

"How deep the Father's love for us

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure."

Have you ever been hurt by someone you love? They wronged you, said hurtful things about you, didn't appreciate you, neglected you, used you. The pain is deep, and it cuts to the core. Or despite your love for your child, they turn from you, disobey you, smart off at you, disregard you and hurt you. Oh, how hard it can be to love someone who has done so much to hurt you!

"How great the pain of searing loss

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the Chosen One

Bring many sons to glory."

As I've thought about the pain we endure from others, it has caused me to consider the pain I have caused Christ. Oh, the times I get wrapped up in my own selfishness and wants and forsake thanking God and spending time communing with Him.

"Behold the man upon the cross

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice

Call out among the scoffers

It was MY sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished."

He loved me when there was nothing lovable about me. He chose me when any goodness in me was

like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). He extended His saving grace to me despite my unworthiness and uncleanness. 

"I will not boast in anything

No gifts, no power, no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection

"Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom."

- Stuart Christopher Townend 

Apart from Jesus Christ there is nothing good in me- yet,HE LOVES ME! 

Despite the suffering He endured on the cross for me- HE STILL LOVES ME!

Although I fail, fall away and still cause Him pain- HE LOVES ME!

Regardless of the fact that I do not deserve His grace and can never repay- HE STILL LOVES ME!

May you be encouraged in the love of Jesus Christ today- His free, deep, unconditional, vast, never- ending love.

"O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!"- S. Trevor Francis 

Lights

My Christmas lights twinkle around me, and oh, how I love the lights this time of year. As I sit listening to Christmas music, admiring the lights, and reflecting on the hope offered to me through Jesus Christ, people all over the world are feeling like they do not matter. Protest are occurring, races are divided, children are being abused, women are violated, men and women who sacrifice everyday for the protection of others are under fire, families are sleeping outside on these cold nights because they don't have a place to call home, and orphans are spending yet another Christmas without a mom or dad. Look around, and it's not hard to see that people are hurting.

The Christmas season for Christians is a joyful time. A time of celebrating our Savior Jesus Christ- a time of hope and peace reflecting on the mercy and grace of God in providing a way of salvation for His people. But, there are so many in this world who do not have hope. So many people who do not know how special they are. Those who do not realize they were created by a loving God who made them in His own image.

I love Christmas lights. They shine through the darkness and bring beauty and joy. Isn't that what we as Christians are supposed to be? Matthew 5:14-16 says, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." We are to be lights in this

world to those who feel like they don't matter. We can do this through love, because, yes, we are called to love one another also (John 15:17, "This is my command: Love one another.") 

I want to share something with you that I normally wouldn't because I feel like it should be between God, the person, and me, This had an impact on me, and I want to share it to encourage you to live as Christine Caine says spiritually wide awake- "It is walking through our lives wide awake. It is rising ready, where we are, with what we have. It is seeing people where they are and meeting their need."

A few weeks ago I was grocery shopping. For some reason, the lady in front of me grabbed my attention, and I felt the overwhelming sense that I needed to buy her groceries. Now she didn't have much, and I don't normally go around paying for other people groceries. So, I had this feeling and my 30 second conversation with God went something like this- "She and the cashier are going to think I am crazy." " What is my husband going to say" "This is crazy, and what if I offend this lady?" "Ok, God, I'll do it." So, I asked the lady if she would allow me to buy her groceries. By the look on her face, she was NOT offended but speechless for a minute. She then looked at me and said,"You mean you would do that for ME?" At that moment, I knew she needed this gesture. Her next words were, "There really are still good people in this world." I looked at her and said, "I just want you to know that God loves you." She opened her arms and gave me a huge hug and said, "Yes, Honey, He loves us all." There in the midst of checkout, two women, two different races embraced in the love of one God. "Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious, in His sight." 

We are all different, but everyone wants to know that they matter and are loved. I really like this quote from Katie Davis, "I have learned that I will not change the world. Jesus will do that. I can, however, change the world for one person. So I keep stopping and loving one person at a time. Because this is my call as a Christian." 

I may not even be able to change the world for one person, but I can change a moment. This Christmas, will you, with me, change moments and shine light for those who are hurting around us. People everywhere desperately need to know that they are loved.