Hands and Feet

Everything is eerily quiet around the house. Light is pouring in from open windows and flickering candles. And my soul feels a little quieter, more at ease, than usual today.  I feel so often like I'm treading water to keep afloat through the everyday ins and outs. Between family, household responsibilities and outside obligations, I've often wondered what has happened to me.  I take on a lot more than I can carry sometimes. And my stress level tends to stay pretty high.

But today I prayed something I haven't prayed in a long time. And I heard that quiet whisper in my soul. The words I knew I needed, but often don't listen long enough, to hear.

I want to be Your hands and Your feet...but how? To whom?

To them.

I could hear the sound of voices coming from the kitchen. Laughter erupting and rushing down the hall toward me. Them. Three munchkins that run around here day after day.  Little lives that have yet to follow Christ. Personalities that are daily watching and acting what they see. And a man that needs to be reminded he's not in this alone.  One that needs to see the love of Christ being poured out in his home to his family and not just from him.

Today, less takes on a new meaning.  Instead of less clutter and stuff, it will look like less social media, less television time, less shuffling the kids off to play. Fewer outside obligations and responsibilities. It will begin to look like more stories and games, more playing cars and super heroes.  More purposeful interaction with my family. More of the love of Christ pouring out through me.

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” ~Matthew 19:14 NLT

And the last thing I want to do is stop these children from coming to Jesus.

What does purposeful family interaction look like at your house? To whom are you seeking to be the hands and feet of Christ?

When Less Brings More

Two full weeks into 2014 and I have so many questions. Like how in the world am I supposed to do this whole Less thing?  What does Less in this More world look like?  And, of course, why me?

Sitting down toward the beginning of January, I laid out a 21 day plan to rid my house of the more that has taken over. Needless to say, not even 14 days in and my plans were laid to waste. (Aren't they always?!!)  Kids back to school, unexpected events, add in a little distractedness and BAM! Though I have managed to get some good things done.  Like going through some boxes that were still packed from when we moved, seven months ago. And sorting through some kiddo clothes (Confession...I still have nearly all the baby clothes from my first born who's nearly 7.) to donate.  I've wondered why I still feel so bogged down. Why such a heavy heart?



I've started getting rid of all the stuff. All the things that take up space. Room after room I look and see so much that needs to go.  So much that could better serve someone else.  Someone who has need.  And then there are other rooms.  Rooms unseen.

Heart rooms. Soul rooms.

These rooms that by emptying are filled.  Daily.  Moment by moment. Through prayer - spoken and groaned. Intercession by His Holy Spirit who knows what to pray from when I do not.

But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. ~ Romans 8:26b-27

And I'm beginning to see how the physical clutter.  The daily things that I see, are evidence that I still have much decluttering of the soul to do.  However,  I am not equipped to accomplish that alone, but The Holy Spirit in me is more than able.  More of Him and less of me.

My prayer today,

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFialZrESmI

Choosing Love - A Gift

I'm a grown woman. Thirty four years of walking this little corner of the world.  And I must say, I would never want to do it all over again. Never ever ever.  Not even an understatement. Like a mentioned in this post, I was a hopeless romantic. Hopeless. 

The first nearly twenty one years of my life was spent at the hands of my own preconceived ideas about who I was and what I needed.  Growing up in a somewhat small suburban community in what was once known as the "Bible belt" was not so bad.  The school I attended was average.  My grades were satisfactory.  My involvement in extracurricular activities was minimal.  My family was provided for by hardworking, still married parents.  We attended a small church where most people were family.  Life wasn't so bad.



I was liked by most people.  I stayed out of trouble and in the background mostly.  My family loved me.  Yet, I had an intense desire to be loved.  Loved for who I was.  School girl crush after school girl crush.  Nothing.  I felt a little like Violet from the Incredibles....invisible.  And then when I was noticed, I made poor choices for fear of losing love.

Until one day. Well into my college years, the guy I had been dating broke it off.  Feeling crushed, I didn't know what else to do so I began praying.  The Lord was faithful in showing me that I had to learn to love me.  The me that He had created me to be.  So what, I had made a list of expectations for my future man.  If I wasn't secure in who I was, it really wouldn't matter what I wanted in someone else. The truth of the matter is, if someone can talk you into doing or being something, then someone can talk you out of it.  Your actions prove your stability.  And stable I was most certainly not.

It came down to finding my identity in Christ, not in someone else's opinion of my worth.  It became about accepting Christ's free gift of love and choosing to live fully in that gift, day after day after day.  To accept who I had been and choose to no longer be that person.  A choice of no longer hiding in my shame, but allowing that shame to be removed by The One who loved me while I was still a sinner.  He knew me then and knows me now and loves me the same.  His love, Christ's love, is grace-filled and glorious.

God blessed me, truly blessed me, when He brought my husband into my life.  Not only was he what I had desired in my future mate, he was willing to take a backseat to my relationship with Christ.  And our relationship is wonderful and a work in progress.  Marriage, as with any human relationship, takes work.  The warm fuzzies last for a week or two, maybe a little longer, but if you don't know who you are you can't give fully to any relationship.  And trust me, if you don't love who you are, how can you expect someone else to love you and choose to remain in that love?


What or who are you listening to that is falsely describing who you are or should be? Are you willing to lay aside what everyone else wants for you so that you can follow Christ and what He wants for you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulF23jpFvyY

Our Struggle

Yesterday I confessed I essentially signed a non competition clause when I chose to follow Christ.  Thus placing myself under His guidance and authority.  However, it is so much more than that.

My husband and I are raising three incredibly different children. They do not look exactly the same. They don't process things the same.  And they each excel in something different.  They each enjoy their independence. They each respond to different forms of discipline.  And they each react differently to other members of the family.

So it is in the body of Christ.

Paul talks about being gifted by the Holy Spirit. Supernatural gifts to use in serving other believers. In his first letter to the Corinthian church, Paul discusses the need for diversity of gifts within the body.  And here is where that non competition clause comes back into play. Just as my 2 year old tries to best his older brothers, believers need to be cautious of competition.  Whether they are competing for the approval of God or of man, competition here can be harmful to the individuals as well as the whole body.  Essentially we should be helping one another rather than hurting one another, whether in word or deed.

Here are a few things from Colossians 4:2-6 that can help us keep perspective.

1. Devote ourselves to prayer.  Not something we should do out of religious duty but out of desired relationship. We should readily spend time persisting in prayer. Consistently meeting with Almighty God with a watchful mind and a heart of thanksgiving.


2. Live wisely. Spiritual wisdom comes from God alone. Job 12:13 (NLT), "But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his."  In order for us to live wisely, we must first spend time seeking wisdom from God, which points us back to 1.


3. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive. Our words, speech or account should be full of grace...kindness, thanks and goodwill.  They should also be attractive.  Full of tenderness that draws others to Christ, not ourselves. Which again takes us back to prayer.

Perspective is key when it comes to competition. Paul tells the church at Ephesus, "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."  As the church we need to begin seeing our brothers and sisters as family and not competitors. When we signed that non compete mentioned earlier, it wasn't just with God for headship but also with believers for the approval of God and of man.  There is nothing that one of my sons can or will do that will make him receive any more of my love than either of the others.  No matter how much they vie for my attention and approval, not one of them will receive more than the other.  So it is with the adopted sons and daughters of God.


What is direct, or indirect, competition doing to your relationship with Christ and with the church? Have you devoted yourself to daily communion with Christ?

Lesson from Epaphras

If my ability to learn ever stops, Lord Jesus, I pray you take me home to eternity.

I've been studying through the book of Colossians with a precious small group of ladies from our church fellowship.  I can't begin to tell you how much I've needed that time in fellowship with those sweet ladies every week.  This past week was no exception.  And I'm looking forward to our last session on Tuesday night.  But I just couldn't wait to share something that I've learned this week.

Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God.  ~  Colossians 4:6,12

Epaphras was a servant of Christ and member of the fellowship in Colosse. I was moved by his earnest prayer for the church in Colosse.  His desire to see them made strong, perfect and fully confident in Christ.  And it made me wonder, what do I earnestly desire for the church, locally and globally?  Is my desire for each believer for God to make them strong, perfect and fully confident that they are following the whole will of God?  Or is my desire that I would grow and they would follow me?



As I thought about this, I referred to earlier in the text where Paul exhorts the believers to "Let your conversation be gracious and attractive". The word attractive there can, and is often, translated meaning "as though seasoned with salt." Salt can act as a tenderizer.  As believers our conversation, our words, should be full of grace and be tender.  Epaphras sought God's heart for the people of Colosse.  He sought grace and tender mercies to be bestowed on these people.


My heart semi broke when I thought about these verses.  What am I doing?  Am I seeking the heart of God for these people I live life with daily? Or am I too busy trying to look good or appear as though I know best.  I came to the realization that, as a believer, I essentially signed a non competition clause when I chose to follow Christ. I left my CEO mentality and chose the life of a servant.  I gave up one master to follow the Master.  And He alone is gracious and full of tender mercies.  He alone teaches us to look to Him and to earnestly pray for others.  I will no longer try to compete with Him for headship.  I've chosen death to self-righteousness and being self centered.  My desire is for His love and His grace to be what tenderizes my heart and fashions me to be more like Him.

 

Dear Kaitlyn

Dear Kaitlyn,

I read your Facebook status early this morning.  You know, the one that said, "Pray for my generation."  And I felt a tug on my heart to respond with more than a Like.  After a profound day in American history, I hurt for you and your generation.  Here is my response.

To a generation that hangs in the balance:

I’ve seen your plea.  Heard your silent cry for prayer, for help.  Know your need to be - heard, difference makers, part of something great.  And I confess, with deep sorrow, the state of this nation, this people, that you are on the threshold of inheriting, is the result of a selfish, immoral generation.  My generation and those before me.  Generations that thrives on the material for the pleasure of self.

And I grieve.

My generation as a whole, we are not role models for generations to come.  And I humbly request your prayers, encouragement and accountability - for me and for my generation.  Challenge us to be...

• God seekers


• Difference makers


• Commitment keepers.

I want to be able to say to you, follow us as we follow Christ.  Seek those to pour into you the truths found only in the Word of God.  Call us to account for our words, our actions and our inaction.

As Paul exhorts Timothy, I also exhort you in these:

• Train yourselves to be godly, focus on the Scriptures (1 Timothy 4:7, 14)


• Don’t let anyone think less of you because of your age (1 Timothy 4:12)


• Be an example to all believers in the way you speak, live, love, conduct your life and live out your faith (1 Timothy 4:12)


• Encourage the believers (1 Timothy 4:13)


• Serve the body - use your gifts (1 Timothy 4:14)


• Stay true to what you know is right - for the salvation of your soul and the salvation of others (1 Timothy 4:16)

The responsibility you have is great, as my generation will entrust yours with the influence and instruction of our children.  However, the responsibility of my generation is no less great.  We are to lead your generation, and those to follow, in the ways of righteousness.  Forgive us where we have and will fail you.  “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” (Exodus 14:14)

My prayer for you is that your generation (& you specifically) will “Taste and see that the Lord is good” that you will find joy as you “take refuge in him!”  That as you “face many troubles” you will also be aware of how “the Lord comes to the rescue each time” understanding that “the Lord will redeem those who serve him”. (Scriptures found in Psalm 34)

Kaitlyn,  I look at you and your parents, and I’m thankful for the instruction and encouragement you receive.  Knowing that not all in your generation have what you do - both spiritually and/or emotionally.  May our Lord use you in a mighty way to influence others (of multiple generations) for Christ’s kingdom.

Labels

Grocery shopping is okay. I mean, I have to eat and someone's gotta get the food from the store. No big deal. However, I've never been a label reader. I normally don't check out the ingredients to see how much sodium or sugar is in the contents. As a mom, I'm beginning to see the importance of what I allow my children to ingest. I guess, in order to know though, I have to check the label.

We've been attending cottage prayer meetings with our church fellowship once a week for the entire month of January. I sat there Tuesday night and the Holy Spirit began to open my heart.
How many times do we place labels on individuals? We label them as this or that without considering they struggle with the same kinds of things we do. I may not agree with choices they make or understand addictions they have. The truth is we can all find hope in Christ alone. He knows and understands our struggles, choices, likes and dislikes and desires us to come to Him as we are.

Lord, help me to see people as people and not like cans on a shelf. Labels are for cans, not people. Help me to love people for who they are and examine cans for what's inside, not the other way around.

Something New

Today was a bittersweet day for our family as Anthony announced first to the youth and then to the church family we are leaving First Baptist Church of Birmingham.  I did good. I didn't really cry...I'll save that for a later date.  We've so enjoyed living life with this wonderful fellowship of believers.  We've seen the birth of our second son, Samuel, and soon our third son, Nicolas.  We've watched the growth of this fellowship in faith as well as numbers. And as sweet LM asked this morning, "why do you have to leave?"  How do I explain to this sweet, young girl?  So I simply replied that when God tells you to do something, obedience is the best choice. Now what?  Well, Anthony will be commuting to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary two days a week to work on finishing his master's degree.  We will not initially be serving on staff in a church.  As a matter of fact, Anthony will not have a job or means of income to start out.  What a step of faith with three young boys!  Thankfully, my parents have graciously and generously opened their home for us to move to until God opens the doors for us to serve him among a local congregation.  Watch out Crystal Springs, MS here we come!

We've known for some time now that God is directing Anthony to step out of student ministry and into the role of a senior pastor.  Scary stuff...not just for him but for me as I've never been the pastor's wife.  And honestly, as a youth minister's wife, you aren't quite as in the spotlight as the pastor's wife.  We know that the Lord has a mighty plan that we may not be able to yet see fully.  Thankfully, the Lord - in all His ways - is trustworthy and never taken by surprise.  We, I, ask for your prayers for our family as we make some BIG changes over the next 5 weeks - welcoming our 3rd child into the world, packing our house, moving in with family and Anthony beginning seminary full-time.  Looking forward to what the Lord has in store for our marriage, family and ministry!