Typically I only blog once a week or every couple of weeks-
twice in one week must mean something is up.
This is the case- the Lord is up to something and I am asking for prayer- for YOU and for ME.
Over the passed week the Lord has been stirring my heart and the heart of one of my dearest friends.
In different ways- He has gotten our attention.
Made us uncomfortable. Made us listen.
Last night- in the quietest and sweetest whisper the Lord called me to read a specific portion of His word. Today again- in a moment of silence- the same message came upon my spirit.
I called Kels tonight- and as I have many times before- told her what the Lord had presented to me and asked her to join me in meditating on this scripture and praying.
What, Lord, is next?
Oh- the things that the Lord has called people to do- the challenges He may face us with- the huge callings and overwhelming tasks that surely lie ahead...
Tonight in my car I found myself listening to the same song over and over on my way home from work-
the people next to me most likely found my face and lifted hands a baffling sight-
worship happened in the honda tonight people.
"The cross before me- the world behind me.
I will follow. I will follow.
Though none go with me- I STILL will follow
"I will follow you- No turning back!"
The anthem of my heart tonight!
Father- you have the attention of this servant.
I ask that you pray for me- that the Lord will reveal Himself through my meditation on this specific portion of scripture and He would reveal himself through my time with him- in prayer and in my daily comings and goings.
(Disclaimer: For those of you who I serve with at HSBC...this does not mean I am going anywhere...this means that the Lord has my spirit in a place where He is asking me to simply submit my time, affections and efforts to Him!)
I am praying for YOU.
Is the Lord continuing to bring something to your mind that you push aside?
Do you feel that the Lord is calling you to follow Him in a specific way?
What is the lord placing ever before you- for a specific purpose- for HIS purposes?
Remember that God's word says that:
"Many are the plans in the mind of man- but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand!"
Proverbs 19:21
With a heart pointed towards heaven and a life committed to the cross-
I pray that you will submit and follow.
No turning back. No turning back.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Dry Bones
The Valley of Dry Bones:
Ezekiel 37
verses 1-2
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry.
verses 11- 14
Then he said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.' Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the LORD God: Behold, I will open up your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD."
Many a day go by when my spirit feels dry as bones.
I feel lifeless.
Do you know this feeling?
I sometimes wake up in the morning and try to calculate how many hours it will be until I get to rest again- until I can sway away from the duties of the day and just sleep.
There are days that I do not live in the HOPE that I have in Christ.
That I do not live in the VICTORY that is already won by Jesus.
Last week I had the privilege of traveling to Nashville with 73 middle schoolers and 20 or so adults to serve and be a part of the Higher Ground mission tour.
We had the opportunity on Monday and Tuesday to serve at the Nashville Rescue mission.
Many know that my heart is tender to the homeless- but this day was different. (Aren't they all?)
As we pulled up into the mission I noticed something- a parking lot scattered with men lying all over the place. Truly- try and see this with me-
On every curb, side walk and underneath light posts- Men lying there.
Some with faces covered with newspaper to hide the morning light- others talking to themselves---
I immediately saw this scripture.
I was, in a sense, set into the middle of a valley- FULL OF BONES.
Dry. Lifeless. HOPE LOST.
O, Lord, Do they know you?
Do they know the life that they can find in giving their lives to you?
I was burdened by this valley of dry bones I found in Nashville-
praying for the Lord to breathe His breath of life into them.
We had planned weeks before to do a concert on Tuesday night at the Rescue Mission for their chapel service.
To be honest- I was nervous- would our students be discouraged if these men did not respond in worship?
Would I leave with this painful gut in my stomach for the men whose eyes are void of much hope?
We arrived and escorted our students down an aisle into a room FULL of the men who live at the mission.
"God- You are good and perfect in your timing. Be here now- Fill this place with your spirit and life abundant. You are awesome in this place- let us hear from you."
Our kiddos crammed their way onto the stage- smiles and hearts ready for worship- and the first song began...
"Oh, don't hang your head
It's gonna end
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares"
And then a few songs later...
"Who shall we say You are
You're the living God
Who shall we say You are
You're the Great I AM
The highest name of all
You're all You say You are
You are holy, holy, holy
God most high and God most worthy
You are holy, holy, holy
Jesus, You are
Jesus, You are"
I am crying now recalling this worship.
The spirit of the Lord was at work.
Men- broken and bruised- with hands raised to King Jesus.
Men- all pride and no joy- spirits lifted to a God who is not dead, but surely alive.
I have really never been in a time of worship where I have seen a valley of such dry bones come alive so genuinely.
How incredible to see the spirit of the Lord at work right before my eyes.
I cannot get over what the Lord says in Ezekiel Ch. 37 at the end of verse 14:
I am the Lord. I have spoken. I will do it.
My prayer tonight is that we recall and live in the glorious truth that we have LIFE in King Jesus- we are not to live as dry bones- without hope.
Sweet Jesus Christ, our clarity.
Sweet Jesus Christ, our sanity.
Christ has died.
Christ is Risen.
Christ WILL come again.
Until that day I pray that we will live fully- and do all things for the name sake and glory of Jesus.
I will leave you with this little song that brought smiles and tears to several of us this week.
At a nursing home where we sang- Mrs. Frankie- 88- shared this with David DeVane and I...
"I washed my hands this morning
So very clean and bright
And lent them both to Jesus
To work for Him till night
Little feet, be careful
Where you take me to
Anything for Jesus
Only let me do"
Yes, yes, yes.
ANYTHING for Jesus. Only let me do.
Ezekiel 37
verses 1-2
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry.
verses 11- 14
Then he said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.' Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the LORD God: Behold, I will open up your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD."
Many a day go by when my spirit feels dry as bones.
I feel lifeless.
Do you know this feeling?
I sometimes wake up in the morning and try to calculate how many hours it will be until I get to rest again- until I can sway away from the duties of the day and just sleep.
There are days that I do not live in the HOPE that I have in Christ.
That I do not live in the VICTORY that is already won by Jesus.
Last week I had the privilege of traveling to Nashville with 73 middle schoolers and 20 or so adults to serve and be a part of the Higher Ground mission tour.
We had the opportunity on Monday and Tuesday to serve at the Nashville Rescue mission.
Many know that my heart is tender to the homeless- but this day was different. (Aren't they all?)
As we pulled up into the mission I noticed something- a parking lot scattered with men lying all over the place. Truly- try and see this with me-
On every curb, side walk and underneath light posts- Men lying there.
Some with faces covered with newspaper to hide the morning light- others talking to themselves---
I immediately saw this scripture.
I was, in a sense, set into the middle of a valley- FULL OF BONES.
Dry. Lifeless. HOPE LOST.
O, Lord, Do they know you?
Do they know the life that they can find in giving their lives to you?
I was burdened by this valley of dry bones I found in Nashville-
praying for the Lord to breathe His breath of life into them.
We had planned weeks before to do a concert on Tuesday night at the Rescue Mission for their chapel service.
To be honest- I was nervous- would our students be discouraged if these men did not respond in worship?
Would I leave with this painful gut in my stomach for the men whose eyes are void of much hope?
We arrived and escorted our students down an aisle into a room FULL of the men who live at the mission.
"God- You are good and perfect in your timing. Be here now- Fill this place with your spirit and life abundant. You are awesome in this place- let us hear from you."
Our kiddos crammed their way onto the stage- smiles and hearts ready for worship- and the first song began...
"Oh, don't hang your head
It's gonna end
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares"
And then a few songs later...
"Who shall we say You are
You're the living God
Who shall we say You are
You're the Great I AM
The highest name of all
You're all You say You are
You are holy, holy, holy
God most high and God most worthy
You are holy, holy, holy
Jesus, You are
Jesus, You are"
I am crying now recalling this worship.
The spirit of the Lord was at work.
Men- broken and bruised- with hands raised to King Jesus.
Men- all pride and no joy- spirits lifted to a God who is not dead, but surely alive.
I have really never been in a time of worship where I have seen a valley of such dry bones come alive so genuinely.
How incredible to see the spirit of the Lord at work right before my eyes.
I cannot get over what the Lord says in Ezekiel Ch. 37 at the end of verse 14:
I am the Lord. I have spoken. I will do it.
My prayer tonight is that we recall and live in the glorious truth that we have LIFE in King Jesus- we are not to live as dry bones- without hope.
Sweet Jesus Christ, our clarity.
Sweet Jesus Christ, our sanity.
Christ has died.
Christ is Risen.
Christ WILL come again.
Until that day I pray that we will live fully- and do all things for the name sake and glory of Jesus.
I will leave you with this little song that brought smiles and tears to several of us this week.
At a nursing home where we sang- Mrs. Frankie- 88- shared this with David DeVane and I...
"I washed my hands this morning
So very clean and bright
And lent them both to Jesus
To work for Him till night
Little feet, be careful
Where you take me to
Anything for Jesus
Only let me do"
Yes, yes, yes.
ANYTHING for Jesus. Only let me do.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
No Turning Back
Vulnerability, I am finding, is something that is necessary in knowing and loving people.
In this mind frame- I will now be raw with you.
I have a FEAR.
Something that has been in the back of my spirit and heart since January 2nd of 2011.
Here it is...
I am frightened that I am going to wake up at the age of 50 with a successful business-owning husband, 3 darling kids, our dream home and as comfortable in our lives as can be.
So comfortable that we don't see our need for Jesus.
That we coast.
That we do not follow the Lord into
the valleys of the shadow of death
with great hope. That we do not praise
the Lord for our victories.
Do you see it?
Does this scare you like it scares me?
Let me see if I can make this real for you.
We (William and I) are in a season of life currently where we feel as though our decisions TODAY will greatly effect our decisions in the future.
Our five months of marriage so far have been an incredible and trying season of learning to love and trust Christ more than ever- and learning to love and trust one another. More than ever.
We have oodles of decisions to make about our new family.
How important is the gospel in our marriage?
How will we spend our time and money?
Who will our new "newly married" community be?
Will we consistently talk about the Lord with each other?
Will prayer be a vital part of our marriage?
Is serving Christ TOGETHER a priority?
All questions that seem to have simple and many obvious answers- however- we have found that unless we are intentional and more importantly prayerful about these decisions WE WILL MAKE THE WRONG ONES.
If we are not mindful- we will goes days without talking about or talking together with the Lord.
It is easy.
If it is not a priority- we will not budget finances so that we can give to those who are in need.
If it is not discussed- we will not by happenstance find ourselves serving others together.
It would incredibly easy for us to sink into a comfortable life.
The wedding is over. We are both blessed with work. Work that keeps us busy 24/7.
Time to coast...take a rest...Right?
My heart cries out...NO NO NO
There is work to be done.
Ministry to happen.
People to love.
A gospel to be proclaimed with our lives.
My FEAR is that I am going to trade in my daily dying to self for the comforts of a routine life.
That I would choose "normal" rather than an unimaginable life that the Lord has planned for me.
Are you with me?
I volunteered this past weekend at a conference centered on Orphan Care.
I am not quite ready to share thoughts here because I have not properly prayed or processed-
but I am confident enough to tell you that the Lord was near and (as a new and dear friend says)...
"gloriously ruined" me for the name sake of King Jesus.
I am sure of a call on our lives to care for the fatherless.
I get emotional when I think of the things my eyes have been opened to.
BUT- How long will it take for this passion to go away?
If I do not DAILY submit my life, my plans, my possessions & my passions to CHRIST I will sway towards the ways of this world.
I will become more passionate about updating my countertops from plastic to granite that I am about ministering to my Muslim neighbor.
I will become consumed with saving money for an elaborate family cruise and less worried about giving to the church and to those who are in need.
In a blink- the faces of many in need that currently bring me to instant tears could become an afterthought. A people group I was once aware of and involved in serving.
Dear Lord- Let this not be so.
This life is not meant to be a game of SURVIVAL- but a life of SERVICE for the cause of a savior who came on earth, fully man and fully God, lived a perfect life and died the most horrendous death so that we may LIVE.
To survive- to just reach even my grandest "American dream" would be FILTHY RAGS in comparison to a life of mine (and my families) that is devoted to making much of our mighty God.
I am in need of a revival in my spirit.
Not just every once in a while- but EVERY DAY.
The kind where I wake up and with my first breath devote my day to the Lord.
That Jesus would be in the center of all that I do, say, think and pray.
As we have said before- and will say again- a life devoted to Christ will have deep valleys and moments of despair- but we have HOPE in a risen savior. Victory in Jesus. Who sought us- bought us and asks us to take up our crosses and follow Him- to the valley of the shadow of death and to the highest mountain peak.
He never lets go. He is at our sides- before us and following closely behind.
Why would I survive when I may LIVE?
As corny as it sounds- this hits home with me tonight-
Are you simply surviving OR are you living for Jesus?
I have tried to incorporate several incredibly vital passages into this entry- however I was just about to copy and paste ALL of Phillipians into the box.
Our brother Paul (formerly Saul) did not just SURVIVE.
He said to LIVE was CHRIST. Read it.
Be encouraged and challenged. Please.
If you are surviving- I will pray for you. Because to go from a comfortable survival to a walk-by-faith living will be difficult and will involve sacrifice. A worthy giving up self so that we may gain Christ.
If you are living- I will pray for you. That you will continue to daily die to self and live for Christ. Knowing that suffering will come- trusting that we will have joy even still- and living in a victory that is already won.
Many blessing to you this day.
-A
In this mind frame- I will now be raw with you.
I have a FEAR.
Something that has been in the back of my spirit and heart since January 2nd of 2011.
Here it is...
I am frightened that I am going to wake up at the age of 50 with a successful business-owning husband, 3 darling kids, our dream home and as comfortable in our lives as can be.
So comfortable that we don't see our need for Jesus.
That we coast.
That we do not follow the Lord into
the valleys of the shadow of death
with great hope. That we do not praise
the Lord for our victories.
Do you see it?
Does this scare you like it scares me?
Let me see if I can make this real for you.
We (William and I) are in a season of life currently where we feel as though our decisions TODAY will greatly effect our decisions in the future.
Our five months of marriage so far have been an incredible and trying season of learning to love and trust Christ more than ever- and learning to love and trust one another. More than ever.
We have oodles of decisions to make about our new family.
How important is the gospel in our marriage?
How will we spend our time and money?
Who will our new "newly married" community be?
Will we consistently talk about the Lord with each other?
Will prayer be a vital part of our marriage?
Is serving Christ TOGETHER a priority?
All questions that seem to have simple and many obvious answers- however- we have found that unless we are intentional and more importantly prayerful about these decisions WE WILL MAKE THE WRONG ONES.
If we are not mindful- we will goes days without talking about or talking together with the Lord.
It is easy.
If it is not a priority- we will not budget finances so that we can give to those who are in need.
If it is not discussed- we will not by happenstance find ourselves serving others together.
It would incredibly easy for us to sink into a comfortable life.
The wedding is over. We are both blessed with work. Work that keeps us busy 24/7.
Time to coast...take a rest...Right?
My heart cries out...NO NO NO
There is work to be done.
Ministry to happen.
People to love.
A gospel to be proclaimed with our lives.
My FEAR is that I am going to trade in my daily dying to self for the comforts of a routine life.
That I would choose "normal" rather than an unimaginable life that the Lord has planned for me.
Are you with me?
I volunteered this past weekend at a conference centered on Orphan Care.
I am not quite ready to share thoughts here because I have not properly prayed or processed-
but I am confident enough to tell you that the Lord was near and (as a new and dear friend says)...
"gloriously ruined" me for the name sake of King Jesus.
I am sure of a call on our lives to care for the fatherless.
I get emotional when I think of the things my eyes have been opened to.
BUT- How long will it take for this passion to go away?
If I do not DAILY submit my life, my plans, my possessions & my passions to CHRIST I will sway towards the ways of this world.
I will become more passionate about updating my countertops from plastic to granite that I am about ministering to my Muslim neighbor.
I will become consumed with saving money for an elaborate family cruise and less worried about giving to the church and to those who are in need.
In a blink- the faces of many in need that currently bring me to instant tears could become an afterthought. A people group I was once aware of and involved in serving.
Dear Lord- Let this not be so.
This life is not meant to be a game of SURVIVAL- but a life of SERVICE for the cause of a savior who came on earth, fully man and fully God, lived a perfect life and died the most horrendous death so that we may LIVE.
To survive- to just reach even my grandest "American dream" would be FILTHY RAGS in comparison to a life of mine (and my families) that is devoted to making much of our mighty God.
I am in need of a revival in my spirit.
Not just every once in a while- but EVERY DAY.
The kind where I wake up and with my first breath devote my day to the Lord.
That Jesus would be in the center of all that I do, say, think and pray.
As we have said before- and will say again- a life devoted to Christ will have deep valleys and moments of despair- but we have HOPE in a risen savior. Victory in Jesus. Who sought us- bought us and asks us to take up our crosses and follow Him- to the valley of the shadow of death and to the highest mountain peak.
He never lets go. He is at our sides- before us and following closely behind.
Why would I survive when I may LIVE?
As corny as it sounds- this hits home with me tonight-
Are you simply surviving OR are you living for Jesus?
I have tried to incorporate several incredibly vital passages into this entry- however I was just about to copy and paste ALL of Phillipians into the box.
Our brother Paul (formerly Saul) did not just SURVIVE.
He said to LIVE was CHRIST. Read it.
Be encouraged and challenged. Please.
If you are surviving- I will pray for you. Because to go from a comfortable survival to a walk-by-faith living will be difficult and will involve sacrifice. A worthy giving up self so that we may gain Christ.
If you are living- I will pray for you. That you will continue to daily die to self and live for Christ. Knowing that suffering will come- trusting that we will have joy even still- and living in a victory that is already won.
Many blessing to you this day.
-A
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Til I Only Rest in Thee
Beautiful lake. Chilly weather.
Crackling Campfire. Laughter of Forever Friends.
A small glimpse into a weekend at the lake.
REST.
All 8 of us needed rest.
To turn off our phones, unplug our minds and to be still with each other and before the Lord.
This weekend had been planned several months ago. It was the only weekend out of this month and the next that we could all get together.
The Lord is sweet in His timing.
Our sweet Savior new what the weeks leading up to this time would hold- how tired our spirits would be and how much we would benefit from a weekend in the woods.
A month ago I sat in a worship room with high school and middle school students in Daphne, Alabama and listened to one of my best friends teach on a passage that is now so dear to my spirit.
Isaiah 30:15
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength".
Return.
Rest.
Quiet.
Trust.
Strength.
I can count on one hand the number of times since August that I have truly been "still."
Whether on a back porch talking to a best friend, tucked away alone in a booth at a local coffee shop or lying in a hammock at the lake...the times have been rare.
Do I mean that I have not slept or had ANY rest at all lately- no.
This type of rest is one where you allow your spirit to simply settle.
To allow our minds to simmer and stop swirling with to-do's and worries.
A sensation for our spirits that is foreign to many and such a rarity to a MARTHA like me.
Without rest I become:
anxious. worrisome. weary. easily aggitated. less likely to trust in the Lord.
I see in my own life that without REST and RETURNING to the feet of Jesus that my spirit changes.
This scripture has come to life in me over these passed few days.
I found that when I spent a whole 48 hours being still and resting that my spirit was rejuvenated.
My excitement for daily tasks for revived and my ability to submit to the Lord and find joy in obedience a delight.
This is short and sweet- but I ask you-
in your own life do you need to REST?
To be still with the Lord. Turn off life for a moment and recharge.
Make Time. Do it.
The Lord has convicted me this week that I do not need to allow myself to get to the point of almost brokenness before I submit to him and rest- before He has to fold the legs of this mindless sheep.
I need to RETURN more often and REST in the promises of Jesus that are good and true.
In quieting our spirits and trusting in the Lord we will find STRENGTH.
Not a day goes by where I don't need the infallible strength of King Jesus.
I pray that you rest in the promises of Jesus this day.
"If my heart has one ambition
If my soul one goal to seek
This my solitary vision 'til I only dwell in Thee
That I only dwell in Thee
'Til I only dwell in Thee"
((The Hymn. Brooke Fraser))
Many Blessings-
Crackling Campfire. Laughter of Forever Friends.
A small glimpse into a weekend at the lake.
REST.
All 8 of us needed rest.
To turn off our phones, unplug our minds and to be still with each other and before the Lord.
This weekend had been planned several months ago. It was the only weekend out of this month and the next that we could all get together.
The Lord is sweet in His timing.
Our sweet Savior new what the weeks leading up to this time would hold- how tired our spirits would be and how much we would benefit from a weekend in the woods.
A month ago I sat in a worship room with high school and middle school students in Daphne, Alabama and listened to one of my best friends teach on a passage that is now so dear to my spirit.
Isaiah 30:15
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength".
Return.
Rest.
Quiet.
Trust.
Strength.
I can count on one hand the number of times since August that I have truly been "still."
Whether on a back porch talking to a best friend, tucked away alone in a booth at a local coffee shop or lying in a hammock at the lake...the times have been rare.
Do I mean that I have not slept or had ANY rest at all lately- no.
This type of rest is one where you allow your spirit to simply settle.
To allow our minds to simmer and stop swirling with to-do's and worries.
A sensation for our spirits that is foreign to many and such a rarity to a MARTHA like me.
Without rest I become:
anxious. worrisome. weary. easily aggitated. less likely to trust in the Lord.
I see in my own life that without REST and RETURNING to the feet of Jesus that my spirit changes.
This scripture has come to life in me over these passed few days.
I found that when I spent a whole 48 hours being still and resting that my spirit was rejuvenated.
My excitement for daily tasks for revived and my ability to submit to the Lord and find joy in obedience a delight.
This is short and sweet- but I ask you-
in your own life do you need to REST?
To be still with the Lord. Turn off life for a moment and recharge.
Make Time. Do it.
The Lord has convicted me this week that I do not need to allow myself to get to the point of almost brokenness before I submit to him and rest- before He has to fold the legs of this mindless sheep.
I need to RETURN more often and REST in the promises of Jesus that are good and true.
In quieting our spirits and trusting in the Lord we will find STRENGTH.
Not a day goes by where I don't need the infallible strength of King Jesus.
I pray that you rest in the promises of Jesus this day.
"If my heart has one ambition
If my soul one goal to seek
This my solitary vision 'til I only dwell in Thee
That I only dwell in Thee
'Til I only dwell in Thee"
((The Hymn. Brooke Fraser))
Many Blessings-
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