As the Seasons Change

As I am in my room reading and talking with Jesus and preparing to read and study His Word a bit, I decided to look at my past blog posts thinking I may have posted something relevant to a current Bible study I am doing. Unfortunately, I did not post what I am looking for, however I know I have it saved somewhere.

In any case, I was reminded once again how much I actually miss blogging and sharing things the Holy Spirit shows me or sharing cool things He is doing. In some ways I am doing this via e-mail to some good friends as we study a portion of the Word together. Yet, almost like this blog, each e-mail shared is less frequent than I would like each of them to be.

 Yet, it all reminds me of how much I actually miss blogging, miss writing. And in this season of my life, there is not much time for that. Yet, just because the season had changed a while ago into this season of not-writing-much, the ability for me to write and blog is still there; and I am realizing it is something I am actually a bit passionate about. 

As the the seasons change in your life, and you may not be able to do something you once enjoyed doing, it's okay--it just may not be the season for it (Ecclesiates 3). And just like in softball, although the season may be over, another season will most likely come. So don't give up the passion you used to have for something God has enabled you to do and enjoy--it may be the off-season for it right now, but get ready for when next season comes (2 Timothy 4:2).

Enter By the Proper Way

It is illegal for someone to enter your house without permission, right? And if someone enters your house without permission, it is usually called "breaking and entering" or, at the least, "trespassing", correct? Even if you know the person (family, close friends), he or she still has to have permission to enter your house. (Unless, of course, the police have a search warrant, or a firefighter is trying to save someone from your burning house, or an EMT is trying to get in to administer treatment...and even then, there is some form of legal permission that is granted). And usually those with permission to enter your house enter by the proper way, the door. So, why, then, can anyone come into the U.S. (house) by any means (not always a door, even without permission (passport, other documentation, etc.)? Even U.S. citizens (legal tenants in the house) who leave this country by the proper ways (airports, ground checkpoints, sea checkpoints...a.k.a. "doors") HAVE TO COME BACK INTO THE U.S. BY THE PROPER WAYS (checkpoints, airports, etc., "doors") AND WITH THE PROPER PERMISSION (passports, etc.). What? It doesn't make sense to me. I think it's neat that people from other countries want to visit, live, and work here in the U.S.; I enjoy visiting their countries, too, and wouldn't mind living in some of them. However, there is a proper, in order, legal way of doing these things. I would get arrested for entering someone's house without permission, illegally, right? And I wouldn't even want to do that, let alone enter another country without permission. I understand that some people want to live in the U.S. for an opportunity for a better life, but there are still proper, in order, legal ways to do things. And, a note to all those the previous sentence applies to: you will never find a better life if you do not know Christ. And, along those lines, if the U.S. doesn't turn to Christ/back to Christ, then the this "house" will crumble...and probably sooner than later. (No Christ, no order.)

A SHOUT-OUT TO ALL WHO ARE DOING THINGS PROPERLY, IN ORDER, AND LEGALLY--ALTHOUGH IT MAY SEEM LIKE IT TAKES FOREVER AND MAY BE TOUGH--GOD WILL HELP AND SEE YOU THROUGH.

[The "random" things the Holy Spirit causes me to think about in Sunday School. And thanks to Him for reminding me by using the video I share before this post.]

Overall Reflections from Mexico Missions Trip 2014

While finishing up putting things away from unpacking, gathering pictures to put in one place to be available to everyone, and doing some of the day-to-day things around the house, I’ve been reflecting on our time in Mexico. Before the trip, I wasn’t sure what all God was going to have me do, or what my “specific” purpose on the team was—I just knew God wanted me to go.

As we traveled to the guesthouse in Texas, and as I was talking with Jesus, I told Him I wanted to come back changed.  This being my third missions trip, I’ve learned not only to expect God to do amazing things on the trip, but to allow Him to do something in me, as well. That was my expectation for Mexico—and I was not disappointed.

Yes, we did various forms of ministry such as door-to-door visitation in the neighborhoods around the ministry compound; VBS using various skits,   songs, and crafts; feeding people and ministering to families at the hospital; praying for people; etc. Interestingly enough, though, none of these have been at the top of my list of highlights of the trip. Nor are they considered catalysts for the “changes” that are beginning/continuing to take place.

What stands out to me are some things that may get overlooked on a missions trip and one thing that caught me by surprise.

First of all, I was amazed and thankful the entire trip—who gets to do stuff like this?! Who gets to ride ten hours in a 15-passenger van through the countryside and mountains of Mexico? Who gets to ride a horse up and down one of the mountains in an old silver mining town in Mexico? Who gets to meet and work with brothers and sisters from New York, Seattle, Virginia, Missouri, Kansas, and Mexico all at the same time while in Mexico? Who gets to go scorpion hunting at night in Mexico and critter hunting in the middle of the night in Texas?  And all in the midst of a missions trip.  Seriously, who gets to do this stuff?!

The entire time I was blown away by the opportunities King Jesus gave me during the trip.  And it’s just like how I’m amazed every time I set foot on our mission...I mean, softball...field.

Secondly, I enjoyed all the joy and laughter that was part of this trip. I roomed with Sophia and three girls from New York (Victoria, Makayla, and Jen [Makayla’s mom, associate pastor’s wife]) while in Mexico, and one night, while trying to go to sleep, we all started laughing and could not stop for at least a half an hour. I had tears streaming down my face while trying to hold back the laughter that was preventing me from falling asleep. Then, another night our Mikalah, Sophie, and I had another laughing fit on the roof of the ministry compound in Mexico. 

The guys also had a few of these fits of laughter. Once back at the ministry guesthouse in Texas, many were swimming in the pool and Zech, Sam W., Sam K., and Jacob were laughing hysterically. I don’t know how it began, but I know it continued with those four trying to remember some goofy stuff Jacob had said during the day. I have seen those guys laugh a lot before, but I had never seen or heard them laugh that hard. It was great.

Thirdly, I loved how there were three different teams—New York, the Dayspring team, and ours—yet we all worked together as one team; we were one team.

It reminds me of how the Godhead has three personalities, so to speak: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Yet, they are One God. Each of our teams had different personalities and callings; yet we were one team with one calling. I’m not even sure if one could tell we were three different teams if they didn’t know it. And that’s what happens when all involved have been praying and seeking God’s will.

Now for what caught me off guard. During the week I watched everyone, and my attention was drawn to Pastor Jeff, Les, Zech, Roger (Dayspring), Tavo (Dayspring), Dennis (Dayspring), Travis (New York pastor), and Joe (New York youth leader)—the married guys. Some were able to experience the week with their wives, while a few were not able to do so. In any case, I was like, “Lord, I want to do this kind of stuff with my husband. When do I get to get married?”

I wasn’t (and still am not) whining or complaining; simply asking. The desire has always been there, but I didn’t expect the longing to surface during this trip. And yet, it makes total sense. What comes to mind are lyrics to the song, “Spirit and the Bride” by Tom Dickson, Mercy/Vineyard publishing.    

Deep within, there’s a fire that can’t be quenched

A love for You as strong as death 

Hear us Lord,

the longing of our hearts  

is to be where You are, not apart 

We feel You near, Your presence all around us 

Oh, Lord we want to see Your face 

So take us away 

The Spirit and the bride

cry out to You 

Lord, we cry out to You 

Come quickly 

We long for the day when we will see Your face 

We long to be with You 

Come quickly 

And breathe on us until You come 

Breathe on us until You come 

I long to always be with Christ, my One True Love, my Bridegroom; and He patterned earthly marriage after our relationship with Him. So, why wouldn’t I long to be with that man of God that is going to be my husband when the Holy Spirit has placed that desire in my heart? Why wouldn’t I want to experience all God has for me with my future husband? And what do I do in the mean time?

What do I do? I keep seeking Christ—His Word, His plan, Him. I keep talking with Him about everything, and praying for that guy who will one day be my husband.

Okay, so by now you may be wondering, “What about how God changed your life? You’ve mentioned everything but that.” I haven’t told you about everything, but as for what God is doing in me, well, let’s put it this way:

¨ I want to always be healthy, fit, strong, and ready to go wherever God wants me to go and do what He wants me to do—even if it’s just walking out my own front door.

¨ I want to be able to pack everything I need for travel in a carry-on bag—it’s easier to be ready that way, and easier to travel.

¨ I want to always be willing to go wherever, yet “content” to stay and serve, as well.

¨ I want to learn to serve better and more, and actually put it into action.

¨ I want to always be hungry for Christ and His Word—because, as we know, we can never get enough of Him; yet He is enough.

¨ I want to continue to always have my passport up-to-date, and always know where it is. My Spiritual one, as well—I am an ambassador of the King, after all.

(Oh, and one more thing. I did make a few animal friends, too. I found a katydid, Les found a huge moth for me, and Sophia found cave cricket for me—all of which I held. I also held Ralf, a puppy friend. He’s more of Joe’s buddy, though.)

[There will be more explanations, stories, and pictures in the near future. The above is an article I wrote for our church newspaper.]

Proud To Wear A Uniform

 I enjoy wearing my softball uniform--a lot. It's not just one of the many baseball/softball shirts I own that supports another team or the sports in general. It's a uniform I wear because I am actually on a sports team--the M.C.E. Ambassadors, my church's adult co-ed slow pitch softball team. I remember how I always loved watching my brother play baseball while we were growing up, and how I always thought it would be cool to wear a sports uniform. (I didn't realize this in 2nd grade while playing softball, or even in middle school when playing my one year of soccer.)

To me, uniforms mean something. They mean you are identified with an organization of some kind; you are part of a team. The teams are numerous and can vary greatly. Uniforms are part of the military, some schools, jobs, bands, choirs, sports teams, girl scouts, boy scouts, support teams, etc. Involvement levels of teams vary, as well: spectator, wanna-be, fan club, boss, employee, student, bench, participant, coach. Some teams have different uniforms signifying those different ranks. And sometimes people wear partial uniforms when they are not a part of that team and they have no idea what the uniform represents--they just "like the shirt" or "got it for free". (I'm not condemning anyone in any category, just explaining.) 

The first time this really meant something to me was when I was a senior in high school and was in our audition-based show choir, Counterpoints. I wore my uniform--red dress or red polo and khakis--with pride. Not the I'm-better-than-you pride, but the I'm-so-thankful-to-be-part-of-this-team pride. I was amazed and so thankful to be a part of a group that I'd dreamed about being involved with, and a group that was a source of pride for our whole school. I was amazed that God allowed me to live a dream--not surprised, but totally amazed.

Some uniforms that mean a lot to many people are military uniforms, medical uniforms, police uniforms, fire fighter uniforms, etc. Especially military uniforms.* Why? Because these uniforms represent the people and teams who fight to protect and defend our country, and other countries. The uniforms represent some of the people who save lives. These uniforms represent something important. 

I am proud to wear my softball uniform not only because I actually play softball, but because of what the uniform represents.

This softball  uniform represents a mission team of our church whose mission field is any softball field we practice or play on. 

This uniform represents a team of brothers and sisters in Christ who are honored, amazed, and thankful that God allows us to play softball (something we enjoy) as a ministry. 

And above all, this softball uniform represents Jesus Christ.

Another uniform comes to mind, and it's something we wear every day (whether we realize it or not). Oh, it's not physical clothing, yet everyone can see it. This uniform is not tangible, yet it's the most important one. This uniform is not something you put on, per se; it's how you live. 

So, what uniform are you wearing? What does it represent? Do you have more than one uniform? Do you switch them, or wear them all at once? Do you care if others see your uniform? Or would you rather not wear it in public? 

The Uniform I wear? Well, it's something like this: 

This uniform represents Jesus Christ--Creator God, Lord of lords, King of kings, Savior. It's explained in Ephesians 6:10-18. And I pray that I wear this uniform--the one God gave me--and not my own uniform. Because my own uniform looks like this:

*Thank you so much to all who serve in our armed forces. And thanks to all those who also help save lives and protect them everyday who may be on a different "team".

Like A Mighty Storm

"Like a mighty storm,

stir within my soul

Lord, have Your way

Lord, have Your way

In me"

When you think of a mighty storm, it may look and/or sound rather neat. However, mighty storms cause havoc and often leave paths of destruction. During a mighty storm, it can be rather scary. Or, although  we may not be scared, we often don't like them and we want them to be over. We want these mighty storms to pass because the longer they last, the more they mess things up. They take down dead branches, dead trees, trees with weak root systems. Mighty storms sometimes damage or destroy homes and other buildings. They also disrupt travel and other day-to-day things. Sometimes mighty storms even cause injury or death to animals and people. Yet, after the mighty storm, the sun shines and sometimes rainbows can be seen.

When we surrender ourselves to Christ, and truly allow Him to have His way in us, sometimes He does come in like a mighty storm. Sometimes we don't understand what He's doing; we're messed up and we don't like it. It's not comfortable--it hurts and it really feels like there's a storm going on inside of us. We just want it to be over. 

When this Mighty Storm stirs within our souls, He's clearing away the dead branches, the dead trees, the trees with weak roots. He's destroying the homes and buildings that shouldn't be there.This Mighty Storm doesn't seek to injure or destroy us; although we may feel injured or destroyed if we don't allow Him to finish His work. Although this Mighty Storm disrupts our lives, it is only for a season. During this time, this Mighty Storm never blocks the Son--however small the glimpse of Light may be--and He gives us rainbows to remind us of His Promise and promises. This Mighty Storm will see us though it; His grace is enough. When this Mighty Storm is finished messing us up, He doesn't leave a path of destruction. He leaves peace, clarity, joy, etc. He leaves us cleaner than we were; more beautiful. We may not understand what this Mighty Storm did, but when He finishes, we know there's been a change for the better.

Do you allow the Mighty Storm to stir within your soul?

HGHF 2013: 5th experience and counting

HGHF 2013: 5^th experience and counting

Disclaimer: Some of you reading this may have no idea what I’m talking about, and that’s okay. I purposely wrote this blog post for 1) me, 2) the directors, cast, and crew, 3) our local church body, 4) Reality Outreach Ministries and all who have ever been involved with Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames, and 5) everyone who has yet to experience this amazing ministry tool. If you have never heard of this drama presentation, I encourage you find out where and when Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames will be near you, and I encourage you to go see it. It’s free. Or, you could purchase the DVD to watch, but seeing the presentation live is way better. If you ever get the opportunity to be involved in the cast of this drama, please do so with lots of prayer.

A little over a week ago we hosted Reality Outreach Ministries’ drama Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames at our church. As the blog title hints, I have been involved with this presentation five times. I’ve been a druggie in the party scene, an angel, the old lady, a drunk, and most recently a secretary.

Each year I’ve been involved with HGHF, the Holy Spirit has shown me something, and this year was no different. The first year I was thankful to be on stage again and thankful God used me on the stage. The second year I discovered how difficult being an angel can be (when it seems so simple) and yet how important it is to keep praying all throughout the drama.

The third year I was thankful to have a monologue and be in the first scene; I usually don’t like waiting when it comes to stage productions. Many times my body says I’m nervous when my mind says I’m not, and I live on adrenaline for however many days. I don’t like it. But once I’m on stage fulfilling the role I’ve been given, it’s all good. So, I was glad to get on stage at the beginning of the presentation so I could concentrate on praying during the rest of the drama. In addition, the role I had was perfect for me. As I read the script and learned my lines (with the help of the Holy Spirit), I thought, “This is me!” One of my lines had something to do with longing to see Jesus face to face, and in that scene I didn’t wear my glasses. I found it funny that I could not see the head angel when I got to “Heaven”, nor could I see “Jesus” once my name was confirmed to be in the “Book of Life”. I just knew Sister Pastor was at the top of those stairs as the head angel, and if I would have been able to see her, I could have used her as a cue. And I knew Les would be up there as “Jesus” to greet me with a big hug upon fully entering “Heaven.” And all I saw was bright lights and shiny gold mylar until I was about halfway up those stairs. The Holy Spirit brought to mind the verse “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). I couldn’t see “Jesus” clearly while I was on that stage, yet the closer I got to “Him”, the better I could see “Him”. Then once I got up those steps past the “gates” and into “Jesus’” arms, I could see “Him” clearly. The Holy Spirit used that old lady role without my glasses to make 1 Corinthians 13:12 real to me. And now I get even more excited about seeing Jesus clearly, face to face.

The forth year the Holy Spirit gave me the role of a drunk woman. Cast members came up to me and asked if I’d ever been drunk (NOT by anything other than the Holy Spirit, thank God) and/or said that I made a “good” drunk. Only the Holy Spirit can help me act like something I’ve never experienced, and He did help. He even allowed me to almost totally lose my voice (from screaming when going to “Hell” at the end of the scene in each rehearsal and performance), and He used that to cause me to sound like a more convincing, desperate, drunken woman who had almost lost everything because of her lifestyle and rejection of Christ. And although I have never been a drunk, without Christ I could have easily become that character or even worse. I admit, playing the drunk was a fun role on the surface (hey, who cares if you couldn’t remember your lines—you’re “drunk”! And you can come up with funny through-lines like “You know what? I had a dream last night about grandma…remember when she would take us deer hunting…”), but the reality of it wasn’t fun; it shouldn’t ever be fun. And interestingly enough, I was known as “the drunk” by cast, crew, and other church family for the rest of the year (until another sister in Christ got that role this time). Each time someone mentioned it, I thought, “I’m done with that role! I’m not a drunk! (And Jesus, thank You I’m not, because without You…well, I don’t want to know who I’d be).”

As with any time, this year I began praying for my 5^th experience with HGHF. I began praying at the end of August after our annual church Hog Roast, which signaled the end of our co-ed softball season. I didn’t want a speaking part this year; not so much because of the nerves stuff, but more so because I wanted to simply pray for the whole thing. I also know I can act. I know that God has given me a gift of acting and learning lines. This time I wanted the Holy Spirit to use someone who didn’t think they could do it; I wanted to give up my position so God could blow someone else away in that role. As I kept praying, I knew I’d be more surprised if I didn’t get a speaking role. And, yes, the Holy Spirit gave me a speaking role. This time I was a secretary who had tried, tried, and kept trying to explain to a co-worker that knowing Christ is different than “having religion”, and that one day everyone will stand before God alone—just each of us alone with Him. My character never gave up in encouraging her secretary friend to give her life to Christ, even to just consider it. That friend thought she had plenty of time until the sudden reality of being stuck in that office elevator during a fire caused them both to die of smoke inhalation.

Again, this role was more like me. And the Holy Spirit encouraged me to never give up telling people about Him. Christ never gave up on me, so I should never give up on others.

The interesting thing about being involved in HGHF this year, though, was that I was not nervous—at all. I don’t remember a time where I have NOT been nervous before a performance of any kind (except for church choir, because that’s not a performance). I even sometimes get a tad nervous before softball games, which I think is dumb. It was different not begin nervous. I don’t usually ever worry about my lines, so that was nothing new. But I saw how I could have easily become lazy and gone on autopilot for most of those 5 days. And I didn’t want that. So I kept praying with purpose—for me, for the cast, for the crew, for all the Holy Spirit would draw to the presentation each night, for Christ to flow through us and to use us to draw people to Him. The Holy Spirit also directed me to the fact of how easy it would be to grow numb or calloused to each of the scenes after seeing and hearing them so many times, and if it would be easy for that cast and crew after only 5 days, think of how many times the directors have seen each of the scenes. The Holy Spirit reminded me of the importance of praying even more for each team of directors—that they stir themselves up, allow the Holy Spirit to stir them up, see each scene each time with new eyes and a heart that’s even closer to Christ. I don’t want our directors to ever grow numb to how God is using and can use HGHF. Praying for them is so important.

Finally, during the last two nights of the drama, while looking at all the gold and silver mylar on our platform, these lyrics played through my mind: “When the music fades / and all is stripped away / and I simply come…” These are from the song, “The Heart of Worship”, and they encapsulated what would happen after strike on that final night. Once all that shiny mylar was taken down, our roles for that year’s HGHF had been fulfilled, we would still need to come. We still need to come and worship our King with everything we are although it may not be through a big production or on a “stage”. It’s not about us, anyway. All that gold, silver, lights, sound, video clips, drama, acting, etc. is all about Him—not us. If it ever becomes about us, then we shouldn’t be involved in it. Now that the set is all stripped away, all the glitter is gone, now we can simply come. Simply come before our King as ourselves—not as a character facing Heaven or Hell, but as ourselves facing our Savior, our Lord, our Love, our Best Friend, our Father, our King.

He doesn’t want us to forget (we still may find some glitter, and I don’t know where the tape ball went [it always seems to disappear, but usually sometime during the summer…so much for adding to it each year…ah, well], and I still have the scrap of gold mylar I wore as a headband during much of set-up, and the number 6 will continue to have special meaning for me, as well as chocolate chip banana bars), but He’d rather have us live with Him in reality than dwell in remembering what He did in and through past performances.

And I’m already praying about HGHF #6.

Do You "Smell" Like Jesus?

There have been many times in the past couple months that I've wanted to post something, but I haven't gotten around to doing so. Tonight is another one of those "past couple months", yet I don't want to pass up this opportunity to share.

This past Sunday, my buddy Nick was in town and he preached at our church. When I say, "my buddy", I want you to understand what I mean by that. This guy, Nick "the Greek" Pirovolos, is the founder of Inside-Out Ministries, a prison ministry. And this guy knows what he's talking about; he's been there. If you read his book and then ever get a chance to meet him, or vice versa, you may not believe that it's the same guy. No joke. That's how awesome Jesus Christ is, and how He can change lives for the better. And, this guy, Nick "the Greek", is old enough to be my grandfather. And he's my buddy. I met him when I was in middle school, so I've known him for about 17 years or so. (Good gravy, that's a story there...) Nick's my brother in Christ, my friend, and definitely my buddy.

Okay, so now that you have a general understanding of who my buddy Nick is, I can continue.

Nick was in town Sunday, and preached at our church. I'm always so excited to see him, and this time was no exception. I only get to see him once or twice a year, so the few moments we get to say hi, give each other hugs, bug each other, and talk a bit are very precious. After each of these visits, I end up smelling like Nick.

Yeah, I know. You may be thinking something like, "What in the world...is that a good thing?" or "That's weird." And, yes, it is a good thing. Whatever cologne Nick uses smells really good (at least in my opinion), and after hugging him, the shoulder of my shirt smells like it and so does my hair--and I smell like Nick for the rest of the day. It makes me smile.

Well, yesterday I woke up and my hair still smelled a bit like Nick. It made me smile. My hair didn't need washing yesterday, and this morning when I woke up, I was amazed; I still smelled faintly like Nick. I smiled and said, "Lord, are You serious? I still smell like Nick."

Although I don't smell like Nick anymore (yeah, I washed my hair today), the thought still makes me smile. And the best part of this whole thing is what the Holy Spirit showed me.

See, when I spend time with Nick, I end up smelling like him--and if people get close enough to me at that point, they may know I've spent time with Nick. When we spend time with Christ, we end up "smelling" like Him--and people know we've been with Him.

And I know I want to "smell" like Christ all the time. I want people to know I've been with the King--like how Moses' face shone when he'd been with God back in Exodus (34:27-35). That "smell" or "glow" can fade, however, but I sure don't want it to disappear. Just because the "smell" fades, doesn't mean it's gone; it just means it's more difficult to detect. Sometimes this goes with living our day-to-day lives. We're Christ's, and we're talking with Him (praying) and hopefully reading at least a bit of His Word every day, yet we may not be spending quality time with Him. Kind of like how I know Nick is my buddy and I e-mail him or write him a letter every once in a while (and have called him once or twice), yet I don't get to spend much time with him.

There's a difference, though. Although I can pretty much choose how often I e-mail, write, or call my buddy Nick, I don't have much control over when I get to spend time with him. With Christ, however, I can choose when, where, and how long to spend time with Him--and whether it's out of habit, because I should, or because I want to. In other words, I can choose whether I spend time with Christ, or spend quality time with Him. And it doesn't have to be hours and hours. Sometimes just a few moments with Christ is enough to make me "smell" like Him for a week--like how just a few moments with Nick caused me to smell like him for a couple days.

One of the best compliments that my youth pastor has said that she's received is, "You reek of Jesus!" I want to "smell" like King Jesus all the time. And not faintly, either. I want people to know I've been with my King.

Do you "smell" like Jesus? Do you want to?

Steppin' in Dog Poop and You Feel Fine?

I'm hanging out with my aunt and uncle's dog Sadie while watching America's Got Talent. I just watched Aaralyn (6?) and Izzy (10?). I didn't see them in the auditions or in the Vegas round--I've only been watching AGT this season occasionally. Anyway, the song Aaralyn and Izzy performed tonight seemed fun (Aaralyn wrote it), and maybe even a bit funny, yet I think it's ridiculous. Okay, so ridiculous in this case has positive and negative connotations. Positive: it was ridiculous in that it was (at first) a kind of stupid, funny song--the funny type of ridiculous. Negative: it was ridiculous in that it was stupid and NOT funny. Here are the lyrics:

Me and Izzy playing outside
Steppin' in dog poop
And we feel fine (or something like that)

Sounds like a kid-type of song, right, which is where the funny part comes in. Yet how many kids, or people in general, play outside and purposely step in dog poop just because they can? Okay, so they may feel fine, but they stink.

And this is where the Holy Spirit comes in. He showed me some things about this seemingly innocent kid song almost immediately after it was performed.

How many times do we play outside? Outside of God's Word, outside of His commands, outside of His will, outside of His covering? And we step in dog poop just because we can--we do things that aren't necessarily good for us to do, or that are NOT good for us to do, just because we can. We sin just because we can, and we feel fine. Of course we feel fine...sin is pleasurable for a season. We feel fine, and we STINK. When we play in crap, we're going to smell like crap. When we sin, we smell like sin to God. And just because we feel fine at the moment doesn't mean we're not going to have to deal with the crap on our shoe--the sin in our life. We'll either be proud of it and show it to everyone (sharing the stink), try to hide it (masking the smell unsuccessfully), try to throw it away (forgetting about the truth), or clean it up (going to Christ, admitting we sinned, and asking Him to take care of it).

Of course, when we step in dog poop one time, it's only going to stink for so long. Yet, when we keep stepping in that dog poop, we're going to continue to stink. As Jesus told the woman caught in the act of adultery, we need to "Go and sin no more."

My impromptu version of the song:

Me and my family
Playing inside
Seeking Christ's will
For we are His Bride

(What bride wants to stink for her bridegroom?)

It's Up to Us, Not Just Our Shepherds

I was cleaning a bit today and found this journal entry from some years ago:

In my Specific Methods in English textbook, Exploring and Teaching the Language Arts, something in the chapter we discussed last night really riles me. In chapter 10, there's a section called, "Back to the Basics". In this section, it talked about how people blame English teachers for people not speaking and writing using "proper" English.

This is what I wrote in the margin: "Why is everything always up to teachers? They get blamed for what people don't know, but since they have to teach people everything, what do they expect? If parents and other adults don't reinforce what teachers teach, well...there's only so much teachers can do..."

This reminds me of Pastor Jeff. As a pastor, there is only so much he can do in trying to teach us the Word and about God. We often expect pastors to tell us everything there is to know about the Bible and God, and we often blame them when we don't know as much as we think we should. If we expect pastors to teach us everything about God and His Word, then no wonder we don't know much. If we don't get into the Word ourselves to reinforce and memorize and hide in our hearts, then who are we to blame our pastors? We have to be active in learning the Word, not passive. 

Pastors are our shepherds, not our spoon-feeders. Shepherds lead and guide their sheep; they don't give them everything they want when they want it. Shepherds try to protect their sheep and care for their sheep, but the shepherd can't do much if his sheep choose not to eat or put one foot in front of the other to follow him. Yes, the shepherd may carry a sheep,   but on;y until that sheep can walk on its own. The shepherd can only carry one sheep at a time, and only for so long. The shepherd needs to rest, too. Yes, the shepherd would breathe for his sheep if he could, but that's not what God intended. God made sheep to do their part, as well.

So true.

Soul-y About Softball

Our prayer for this year's softball season:

"Lord Jesus, this is Your field. This is Your softball field, and these people are Your field. I don't know how ripe Your field is here, but You do, because they're Yours. Lord, this is Your game. Softball is Your game. Thank You for allowing us to play. Thank You for allowing us to do something we enjoy and for using it, and us, for Your Glory. I never dreamed I'd be playing softball, yet You prepared me to play my entire life. You've prepared us all to play--for such a time as this. King Jesus, we are Your team. Do with us as You see fit. We are Your Ambassadors. Holy Spirit, continue to help us act like and be Your Ambassadors on and off the field. Jesus, You've turned this softball field into more than just a softball field--it's a mission field. Lord, You've turned softball into more than just a game--it's a tool. And You've turned us into more than just softball players--we're missionaries, Your Ambassadors. Help us prepare how You want us to prepare. Holy Spirit fill us up and pour us out on that field. Every practice, every game. This is Your season, for You and Your Kingdom. In Jesus name, amen."

Good gravy...leads to prayer

Well, good gravy, it's been a long time since I've posted anything. I enjoy writing and I enjoy posting on this blog. However, there are many times when I have something I'd like to post, but am either not able to post at that moment or I forget what I was going to post by the time I do have the opportunity. And that's the way it goes. I'd like to say I'll give myself a certain amount of time each week to post something of substance, but I'm not going to do that. There are many other things that require and deserve my attention more than this blog. Yet, there are some things that aren't quite as important, too.

This kind of reminds me of some of the things I've been thinking about prayer in the past few months. There are so many people and situations that we are encouraged to pray for. We're supposed to pray for our leaders (of every kind, and I have a lot of them); our family; our friends; our enemies; ourselves; our country; the world; those who don't know Christ; those who do; situations in general; specific needs; and the list goes on. I don't think I could even begin to pray for everyone and everything I'm "supposed to" each day even if that's the only thing I did. And Christ knows this.

When He says to "pray without ceasing", I think He wants us to be in constant communication with Him, not necessarily in "formal prayer". Praying is basically talking with Christ, anyway, and that is something I can do all day long. I do that, too. Jesus and I talk with each other all day. Some days it's little bits here and there, and more just hanging out with each other. Other days we talk a lot.

Yet each day it's definitely not enough. I could never talk with my King enough. And that's okay. It also means we'll never run out of things to talk about!

This is why I don't get discouraged about "not praying enough". As long as I keep talking with Christ, always knowing that we could talk more (and I could definitely listen more, ha!), then I shouldn't worry about it. It's if I'd choose to stop talking with Christ--that's when there'd be a problem. :)

Preparing for ???

Our next mission trip is scheduled for Mexico in the summer of 2014, so I'm beginning to prepare now. Yes, I plan on going--unless God tells me no. I'm working on trying to raise money for the team by gathering pledges for my simulated 1500 mile bicycle ride to our location in Mexico. A penny a mile is all I'm asking people to pledge. And they won't give the money unless I complete the entire 1500 miles. It's all or nothing. I have about 1430 miles left to go. I'm beginning to make bracelets out of string for the team to take for the kids, and I'm beginning to try to think of different songs in Spanish for human videos.

Our co-ed softball season is almost here, so I've been asking, seeking, and knocking trying to find out which females are playing. We have the guys, we just always need more girls.And I've been trying to condition a bit physically to prepare. I don't know what God has planned, but to me it almost seems like our softball mission team may have a slightly different role this summer. I still want to do what I can to be ready to play whenever Christ sets up a game for us--even if we have to wait until August, or next year.

I want to go back to the Dominican Republic, so for now I'll prepare for Mexico.

Baccalaureates are coming up in a couple months...Lord Jesus, are we doing a human video this year? If so, which one? I've been thinking about this.

I'm going to have a niece soon, so we're preparing for a baby shower.

Lord Jesus, what else do You have planned for me? I'll try to continue to prepare for that, too. I'll keep in Your Word, spending time with You, and listening.

What are you preparing for? I know I want to be ready to do whatever God calls me to do--simple, difficult, short-term, or long-term. How about you?

It's Not That I Can't, It's Because I Shouldn't

I enjoy singing. And that's, well, it's a bit of an understatement. I sing all the time, almost anywhere...but not this week. I haven't sang since Saturday. I could easily let this drive me crazy, but I refuse to. It's tough not doing what you like to do; it's even tougher when it's a gift and passion that God has given you.

You see, this past weekend I was involved in a drama our church hosted called "Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames" from Reality Outreach Ministries, Inc. In this drama, I played a drunk in a bar whose 2 sisters tried to get her to go home with them; she'd already driven home drunk way too many times. One sister had a relationship with Christ and kept praying for her and telling her about Jesus--how He could change her life and clean up the mess she had made by her drinking and gambling addictions. The drunk refused help, left the bar, and was killed when she wrecked her car. The drunk went to Hell.

So, after acting like and talking like a drunk for 4 days, and getting in a car crash and going to Hell and back 6 times, my voice was almost gone. Yesterday and today it's been about 75%. On Sunday and Monday I pretty much wasn't allowed to talk in order to save my voice for the ministry "performances" each of those nights. After Monday night, well, I've been talking since then. But not singing. It's not that I can't sing, though. Okay, so it may not sound all that great yet, but I can still sing. However, I'm not singing because I shouldn't yet. (And Karen would possibly slap me if she heard of me singing before my voice is 100%.) If I sing now when my voice is not fully healed, then I could further damage it, or it may just take longer to heal. Normally I wouldn't really think about it, but I'm on set for back-up vocals for praise and worship at church on Sunday. (I'm backing up Karen, and that's why she would slap me if I'd sing now. Ha!) So, since I shouldn't sing yet, I'm not. And it's not easy, let me tell ya.

This is not the first time I've been in this position of  "it's not that I can't, it's because I shouldn't". In middle school I lost my voice during the week of our Spring Show. No talking or singing (even during dress rehearsal) until show time that week.

Then there was high school, when I purposely didn't audition to be in our show choir junior year because I knew it wasn't time. It wasn't that I couldn't audition, because I probably would have made it, but it was because I shouldn't audition--my King told me it wasn't the right time. That was really tough. Every time that choir performed my junior year, I almost cried. Yet, my King wanted me to wait until my senior year to be in that choir. And I lived out a dream during my senior year of high school.

Now, let's go back to the drunk in the bar scene. Since she could still drink, she did. Since she still had the keys, car, and ability (although altered and impaired) to drive, she did. The only thing that would have stopped her from gambling or drinking or driving would have been if she could not do them. But she could, so she did.

Do we just not do some things because we can't? Well, yes, we do. However, sometimes it's more because we shouldn't. Sometimes we shouldn't because we could get hurt. Sometimes we shouldn't because it's not time. Sometimes we shouldn't because it could cause someone else to stumble. Sometimes we shouldn't because it would be bragging. Sometimes we shouldn't because we don't really have the means. Sometimes we shouldn't because God has something better.

Sometimes we shouldn't because it's sin. And it's not because we can't; it's because we shouldn't.

God gives us the ability to choose to sin or not to sin. And, many times we sin because we can.

However, I want to choose not to sin--not because I can't sin, but because I shouldn't. I want to honor King Jesus with every word that I speak and every thing that I do. And this is not only because I should; it's because I can.

Thankful for...what?!

I'm thankful for a lot of things, and some of these things aren't the "normal" things people are usually thankful for. I thought I'd share some random ones with y'all:

I'm thankful for:

--Christ knowing my every thought
--cold weather
--dogs and other animals
--slugs
--cicadas
--crickets (I enjoy listening to them, and feeding them to preying mantises when I have them)
--squirrels
--the sounds of bugs
--Robin (the tick-covered German Shepherd puppy at La Casa Grande)
--lotion
--sports
--the game of Monopoly
--cheese
--MILK
--spiced cider
--fried bananas
--family
--friends
--pine cones
--Dominican coffee
-- etc.

What's something random or strange that you're thankful for?

From a Bloody Mess to the Throne Room of the King

We’ve been studying the book of Romans in Powerhouse, and recently Pastor Kathy talked about the blood of Christ in Romans chapter 5. For those who have a relationship with Christ, talking about His blood isn’t something new. Yet sometimes we forget its significance and it becomes commonplace to us.

While in Romans 5, the Holy Spirit added some things to what He had Pastor Kathy teach us, and He used one of my favorite passages of Scripture once again.

Ezekiel chapter 16 talks about  Israel’s infidelity to God. And although that’s the overview of the passage, there is way more in it than Israel’s harlotry.

A Bloody Mess

Verses 1-6 talk about how when Christ first comes to us, we’re a mess. “As for your nativity, on the day you were born your navel cord was not cut, nor were you washed in water to cleanse you...No eye pitied you, to do any of these things for you, to have compassion on you...And when I passed by you and saw you struggling in your own blood, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!...” (verses 4-6) Christ sees us struggling in our own blood—our own sin.

Each of our sins requires a blood sacrifice, and that’s a bloody mess. In Exodus and Leviticus God tells us the details of this, and these weren’t simple. Certain animals were to be sacrificed for certain sins, and each animal had to be perfect—or at least as perfect as the person could find, or buy, or trade for. The people could not sacrifice the animal on their own, either. The animal had to be brought to the tabernacle, and killed. Then the priests would sprinkle the blood as the Law instructed, burn the parts of the animal the Law instructed, and do whatever else the Law instructed. God gave specific instructions that had to be followed properly.

Just think about it, though. What if we lived during that time? How many animals would have to die because of our sins? How many times would we have to find a perfect, certain animal to atone for the sin we committed? I don’t know how there were enough of those prefect animals.

And think about what the outside of the tabernacle looked and smelled like. There was lots of blood and there was almost always, if not always, the stench of burning flesh. And our sin causes that.

Becoming Clean

Yet, in Ezekiel 16:7-9, God tells us that He picks us up from out of our own blood, washes our blood from us, and anoints us. Here is where Romans 5 comes in to play. Verses 6-9 of Romans 5 say, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Jesus Christ was, and is, the final blood sacrifice, and it’s by His blood we are made clean from our sins.

Pastor Kathy taught us more about what blood, and Christ’s blood, actually does. Blood brings oxygen to every part of our bodies while taking away carbon dioxide and other waste. And that’s exactly what Christ’s blood does. His blood brings us life by His death on the cross, and it takes away the garbage of sin. His blood truly does clean us.

Also, water constantly flows in and out of our bloodstream in order to equalize  the fluids inside and outside of our bloodstream, constantly working to keep our bodies balanced. This is like how Jesus is constantly working in us. We don’t realize it, but He’s always doing something in us.

Blood is always regenerating itself, just as Christ is always making us new (2 Corinthians 5:17). His Word is always fresh and alive (Hebrews 4:12).

Something else blood does is maintain the constancy of our internal environment; it helps keep us stable. Christ does that, too. He’s the source of the peace and joy that remains in us no matter what may be going on in our lives and in the world.

Blood really is amazing stuff.

Entering the Throne Room

Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” One of the things this reminds me of is Esther. She went boldly before the king more than once, but not without proper preparation.

The first time Esther went before the king was for the “beauty contest” the king held in search of a new queen.  To prepare for this Esther, as well as the other women, basically spent a whole year at the palace spa. They spent a whole year being pampered and being made as beautiful as possible: “six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women” (Esther 2:12). An entire year! Esther spent one whole year preparing to go before the king. And she went boldly, found favor with the king because of her beauty, and became queen.

The next time we see Esther going before the king was to save her people, the Jews, from being destroyed. Again, she prepared carefully. This time she asked that all the Jews fast and pray for 3 days and nights as she and her maids did the same (Esther 4:16). And again, Esther went boldly into the king’s throne room and found favor in his sight.

In both instances, the king actually made it possible for her to boldly come into his presence. He was the one who held the “beauty contest”. He was the one who provided everything, including maids, for Esther to spend a year being made as beautiful as possible. The king was the one who made her queen, gave her the means to get a message out to all the Jews, and gave her maids that fasted and prayed with her.

Ezekiel 16 echoes this in verses 10-14. God gives us everything we need in order to be able to approach Him, and to be beautiful for Him.

First of all, the blood of Jesus Christ makes it possible to even go before Him, Back in the Old Testament only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and he could only go in once a year. (The high priest also had to prepare to go into the Holy of Holies. If he did not do exactly as the Law of God told him to, he’d be struck dead and dragged out by a rope.)

Since Jesus was, and is, the ultimate sacrifice, His blood provides the atonement and covering needed to cleanse us from sin. In addition, the veil separating the Holy of Holies was torn, no longer  separating us from God (Mark 15:38). This is the only way that we can enter the throne room of our King. It’s only because of Christ shedding His own blood for the remission of our sins (Hebrews 9:22) that we can even come close to approaching the God of the universe. And this is why we can now come boldly before the throne of grace.

Okay, so now that we can enter the throne room of our King, how should we come before Him? Yes, we can go before Him just as we are, but is that really how we should come before our King? Is that how we show Him the honor that He’s due?

He gives us all we need to be able to be in His presence, and to be beautiful before Him. Going back to Ezekiel 16:10-14, God not only makes the way for us to come boldly before Him, but He also gives us the very best so we can be our best for Him. He gives us His Word, His Holy Spirit, His joy, His peace, the many gifts and talents and abilities we each have. He makes our beauty perfect.

However, it’s our choice if we’re going to use what He’s given us, and it’s our choice how we’re going to use these things. Are we going to use what our King has given us to bring honor and glory to Him? Are we going to prepare ourselves and make ourselves as beautiful as we can to show Him our thanks for all He’s done for us?

Or, are we going to be like Israel and use all of God’s gifts for other purposes (Ezekiel 16:15-49)?

Whatever we choose to do won’t change the everlasting covenant our King made with us (Ezekiel 16:60-63). The covenant He made with His blood still stands. And He wants to bring everyone from a bloody mess all the way into His throne room. (2 Peter 3:9)

“Nothing But the Blood”

Matt Redman

Your blood speaks a better word
Than all the empty claims

 I've heard upon this earth
Speaks righteousness for me
And stands in my defense
Jesus it's Your blood
What can wash away our sins?
What can make us whole again?
Nothing but the blood
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can wash us pure as snow?
Welcomed as the friends of God
Nothing but Your blood
Nothing but Your blood King Jesus
Your cross testifies in grace
Tells of the Father's heart to make a way for us
Now boldly we approach
Not by earthly confidence
It's only  by Your blood