What's new,...

After a rather long hiatus I am back to blogger... I can't promise that I'll be a consistent blogger but I am going to try to get on here more often.

It's been a busy month or more for me. Why? Two words: New job.

I was blessed to have be given a new opportunity at the Bank. I truly enjoy it! Meeting new people constantly, never a dull moment & I'm surrounded by faith-driven people. This position really is a blessing.

But.

With opportunity also comes exhaustion, exhilaration, frustration,

growth, knowledge, responsibility and wisdom.

I have no doubt God placed me in this job for a purpose. I know I am learning much that will aid me in the future. Every time I begin to feel overwhelmed, I have to remind myself that this job is apart of the conditioning process. It's causing me to grow in areas I was "short." 

I keep praying for wisdom to properly use the knowledge I'm gaining.

There really is nothing more tragic than knowledge wasted.

Until next time,...

MOVEMENTS—you sure you want to be a part of one?

I follow the Catalyst Blog and today's post struck home with me. This topic has been on my mind and I wanted to share Dave Gibbons' recent post with you.
Movements are more than temporary hype; they are meant to be a deep-rooted hunger that drives and motivates change.
Enjoy!

MOVEMENTS—you sure you want to be a part of one?


August 27, 2011

Movements.

One thought emerged as I was running the streets of Soho and Mid-town this early morning sparked by a friend a couple days ago as we were discussing the book of Acts: radical, city-wide, transforming, supernatural movements are not about our innovative, nicely packaged strategies and slick nomenclature. Perhaps not even our publicly bold, loud proclamations or initiatives. They are quietly accomplished by loving people who plant, unseen seeds of revolution in the fertile soil of poverty, suffering, chaos. They regularly water this soil with their own blood.

Death always precedes the true resurrection of a city. Rarely, does one talk about the martyrdom of Stephen being part of a strategic move of God in the transformation of Ephesus. It's not as sexy.

God, how must I die today? Maybe it's apologizing to those I've hurt or seeking human intersection beyond a digital screen. Maybe it means dying to material desires or my culture's idea of success? Maybe it means cleaning that elderly person's house down the street or buying a week's worth of groceries for her? Perhaps I need to share our home with another family or a group of singles and really do "small groups" like it was meant to be done.

Maybe the boldness is not done as much in public today but in a quiet sanctum in the city, one-on-one, prostrate before our God, alone with Him, basking in His luminous grace, grateful for the abundance in our lives, yet pleading for more miracles in our cities.

Perhaps the movement starts to grow as those who love Jesus really live like they love each other without strings. Movements and miracles happen as a result of the Spirit's initiative and as a result of humble, loving activists responding to His moves not initiating it with audacious talk or loud fanfare. Otherwise, the movement becomes like a singular pop of a firecracker not the roar of a blazing firestorm.

Dave Gibbons, Creative and Cultural Advisor. Author of XEALOTS and award winning book, Monkey and the Fish.

Follow Dave at www.twitter.com/davegibbons and www.XELOT.NET

Take joy in Jonah Days

Ever have a week of Mondays? You know, those weeks where it's Tuesday & it feels like it already should be a Friday? Awful week? Long exhausting days when crawling under a desk & crying sounds like the best option?

That's me.

Monday was a "jonah day."  I was exhausted. Stressed out to the point of making myself sick. Worried about the how's, when's & where's. I could not calm myself down. I tried praying. I tried talking about it.  I tried thinking about it. I tried not thinking about it. Nothing was working. As I drove home at the end of the work day,  I turned down the radio and began to pray. It wasn't a long prayer. It wasn't an authoritive prayer. It was simply a plea to my Heavenly Father.

 "Jesus, I need peace. I need inspiration. I need calm. I need wisdom. I know that it will work out  as You plan but I need help in the meantime."

Done-Simple prayer.  And guess what? I didn't feel instant peace. I didn't become instantly wise concerning the future. But I did feel reassurance that it was all going to work out. And it is...
This morning I woke up, still stressed and still sickly, but as I went through my daily devotional time I read this scripture.

18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. 19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. -Psalms 94:18-19

I can take joy in knowing that HE (my Savior, my Deliverer, my Shelter, my Rock, my Fortress) is watching out for me. When I feel overwhelmed by current events, emotional distress, mental anguish...etc. I can take joy in knowing HE is still there, even during my jonah days.

5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. -Psalms 27:5



God-Based Dreams

   Yesterday I heard someone speak about their biggest dreams and aspirations. I listened as they listed a few of the things they would like to accomplish then I realized all of their dreams were God-based. Based, as in the foundation or source... God was the foundation or the source of each dream. Each goal or aspiration was something God would have to do in or through them. So the speaker started me thinking, what are some God-based dreams in my life? Dreams that I couldn't accomplish but through Him.

1. I want to be a part of a miracle. I don't want glory or recognition but I want to know God used me to perform a miracle.
2. I want to be a part of international revival. I want to be there and see the hundreds receiving the Holy Ghost. I want to see their lives forever changed.
3. I want God to use my words & actions to positively change a life. I want Him to do a work though me and because of that work, change someone else.

I want the humanly impossible to become divinely possible in my life.

Matthew 19:26

 ²⁶ But Jesus looked at them and said to them,

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

To my Bro,...

   Tomorrow around 11AM my brother, Bryan will leave Arkansas and head down south to Louisiana for a 3 month internship. Yes, it's only three months. Yes, I realize it's only Louisiana, my other home-state, the place I visit monthly. But it's my brother! I'm going to miss him and his cheesy, annoying ways. So this post is dedicated to my brother, Bryan.

Bryan:

Remember that time we climbed the tree next to the house & realized we could swing out onto the roof? Oh, how we would run across the roof desperately trying to get off the roof before Mom & Dad could catch us.

Remember the time Disney hosted some sort of music marathon and the three siblings danced like the crazy fools we are. Dad & Mom captured each move on video camera. I wonder what happened to that video? I'd pay money to see you dancing like a Russian across the living room only to accidentally kick J in the head. Oh, poor J... all the times we picked on her and still do. *fist bump*

Remember the time you found that piece of calf? .... *snicker* Remember Mom's face?

Remember when we called (and occasionally still do) you Chubbers Horatio Verdabelle?

Remember the time I told you Ben-Gay was just the thing to take care of a wicked sunburn? And you believed me? Sorry for laughing during your pain... It's a genetic disorder I inherited from Mom.

Remember the night we stayed up late watching movies (sappy chick movies) and wore facial masks. Poor Dad,... I'm sure we (by we I mean you) concerned him.

Remember that night you walked into my room and sat in the ugly chair and talked for an hour or more about the girl of your dreams, some chick ? See...told 'ja it would work out.

Remember the talks we had regarding my relationships? Thanks for all the advice and for not calling me an idiot. Well, I take that back,... you did call me an idiot. But thanks for listening to me whine about boyz (yes, we said boys with a z).

Remember when I officially asked you to be my future Man of Honor? You cried accepted graciously.

Remember the time you preached for the first time? I cried. I was that proud. And I still get slightly emotional each time you speak because I'm watching you live out your calling and dream. Not too many sisters best friends get to see that happen.

Remember how you came & told me that you were going to apply for the POA Internship? I was (and still am) so happy for you. But I must confess that I was also slightly jealous and sad at the same time. 1) Jealous because you are going off to live your dream in one of my favourite places in the world and 2) because you won't be here,...and I will be lonely.


Thank you Bryan, for being the best big, little brother/best friend any sister could ask for.
I'm excited for you, Beau. Now, have fun at POA and kick tail... well, as much tail as you can kick at a ministry internship...

Love you much,...
-Rae

Hymns

    I love old things. I'm a sucker for flea markets and antique malls. I can't help myself.

Books, clothes, glassware and music... I just love the old (current term is vintage) things.

With all of those things I've mentioned, I also love old hymns.

Those hymns bring back memories of those who have gone on before...

of  Evie Williams and her love of hats,

of Mr. Burrows and his warm smile,

and of a small country church in Clinton, AR.

Those hymns remind me of hot camp meeting nights,

of tambourines and a passionately played piano,

of hand-clapping and toe tapping,

and of bobby pins and liberally used cologne.

The sounds of those hymns recall to mind,

the tinny notes played during the introduction of  "I'll fly away",

the enthusicastic wheezing of an old organ during "Just over in the Gloryland",

and the whole-hearted singing of a congregation during, "At the Cross."

Yes, I love the old hymns.

They feel me with a heavenly hope.

The same hope once felt by the elders of old.

The divine pull towards a home on another shore.

Until that blessed hope is realized, I will continue singing,...

When we all get to heaven,

what a day of rejoicing that will be!

When we all see Jesus,

we'll sing and shout the victory!

Hypocrisy: a lie in action

"Hypocrisy: a lie in action- the legacy of indecency."

No one likes a hypocrite. No one enjoys a two-faced character. No one wants to be lied to.

  Last week I listened as I heard a couple of individuals discuss a person they felt to be a hypocrite.This person professed to be a Christian but acted unchristian. Because of this proven reputation, the person has damaged any chance of successfully influencing those around them. As I listened to their words regarding this particular individual, all I could think was, "God, don't let me ever become like that. Check me if I start to become a hypocrite." 

 In Matthew 23, Jesus talks about the hypocrites during that time and he warns that we need to worry about the "inside of the cup" as well as the outside. I need to worry about my spiritual state rather than what everyone can see.

Matthew 23:1-7

1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.

Matthew 23:25-26

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. ²⁶ Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

I can't get caught up in acting the part. There can be no acting, just an authentic walk with God. I must be the God-follower I profess to be.  Real. Raw. Authentic.

Abide in the Vine

Hebrews 5:11-14 NIV


11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

This passage was my Thursday Word for the day,... and it's wrecking me. It frightens me because it applies to me. "you no longer try to understand,..." OUCH! Have I stopped searching, learning, yearning after the Word and the Creator of the Word? Am I where God intended me to be in my spiritual growth? Am I still in infancy when I should be in adulthood? Have I stunted my growth?

Last night in Element Service, Michael Cena spoke to us about "abiding in the vine." You are either apart of the Vine or you're not. You can't have it both ways and the Word is plain on what happens to branches that fail to produce the fruit of the Vine.

John 15:5-6

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
I can't allow myself to be stunted. I have to kept growing and nuturing my walk with God. I must grow into the Vine and not allow anything to uproot me. I cannot become useless. I must keep growing... I must keep trying to understand...

Onward and Upwards

 Complacency has been on my mind lately... I see it everywhere I go and quite frankly, it bothers me.

The questions in my mind is this: As an Apostolic Christian, should I feel complacency in any aspect of my life? Should complacency exist in the personal, social, or spiritual areas of my life? Is it okay to feel contentment or self-satisfaction with the who,what, when, and where's of my life? 

Yes, the Word says in Hebrews 13:5 "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  And in Philippians 4:11 "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:"

Yes, we should be thankfully content with the things divinely given or the state in which we've been divinely placed. Contentment is different from complacency.  Contentment centers around being happy and according to freedictionary.com, complacency is "a feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction, especially when coupled with an unawareness of danger, trouble, or controversy." 

We should be wary of feeling self-satisfied within our life. Self-satisfaction leads to laziness. Read Proverbs, the book is full of what happens to those who are lazy. Proverbs 1:32 "For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them."

If we allow it, complacency will destroy us and our walk with God . We need to take on the attitude of Paul in Philippians 3:12-14

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

If we are still living and breathing, then we have not achieved our divine purpose. We must keep pressing forward towards the "upward call of God."  We must not become complacent in what we possess or where we are. Our life motto must be like the cry in 'The Last Battle', the last of the Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, "Onward and Upwards,..." 

I choose life...

The Word says we can speak Life or Death with our tongue.

The Word also states that our tongue can set a fire and consume the life around us. 

   

How many times do I speak negatively of circumstances, events and individuals when a postive word would have completely altered the atmostphere of the conversation?

Am I a Death Speaker?

Or a Life Bringer?

Do I bring depair or hope?

Do I tear down or build up?

Do I consume the joy?

Or do I promote joy?

I have power to control my personal perspective and that of those around me; the power rests in my speech.

Put out fires with your tongue rather than start them.

Change your speaking habits.

Choose to give life.

My Portion,...

     Yesterday, I came into work early and started my morning routine which includes taking time in the Word before doing anything else. I follow a "Bible in a Year" program and yesterday happen to fall on Psalms 119.
How many of you have taken time to be still and just empathically read those words? I know that I have speedily browsed that chapter many times but yesterday as I began to read verses began to jump out at me. They were things I needed to read, apply and believe. I needed to pray those things into my life. 

Example:

30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. 31 I hold fast to your statutes, LORD; do not let me be put to shame. 32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding. 33 Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. 35 Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.

36 Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. 37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. 38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared.

39 Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good. 40 How I long for your precepts! In your righteousness preserve my life.

41 May your unfailing love come to me, LORD, your salvation, according to your promise; 42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word. 43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws.

 Whenever you feel that you don't have the words to pray, open the Psalms and begin to pray them. Ask God to "fulfill His promises" in your life. Pray that He "teach you and give you understanding,..."  And He will.

"You are my portion,..."



Splendid Twenties

   Yesterday, my good friend Amber and I were talking about our career goals and how we need to write about our experiences. (Who knows? Maybe this could be the start of a book!)  Thus Splendid Twenties was born, July 18, 2011.

   It's a blog about our professional experiences-the humorous and the not-so-humorous tales.  Craziness seems to follow us around. No lie! A day doesn't go by that something insanely peculiar doesn't happen to one of us. If you are in your 20's and need encouragement that you aren't alone in this rat race for success, you should check us out. Or maybe you want to read because you are curious about what sorts of adventures two female Twenty-Somethings could have in a corporate setting! This is our story of success and the humorous adventures along the way... Splendid Twenties.

May I never be useless,...

   John Knox, a missionary during the time of the Reformation, cried out to God saying, “Give me Scotland or let me die.” It was all or nothing with him. His passion consumed him. He knew his life was worth nothing unless it was being used to save souls.


Here in America during this 21st Century can we not do any less? We must develop the burning passion of John Knox for our community and world. When was the last time you desperately cried out to God to use you? Are you actively serving in your divine purpose? Or are you actively serving your personal desires therefore being useless to the kingdom? John Wesley said, "God grant that I may never live to be useless!"

God has a sacred use for us. It goes beyond any dream or thought we have for our lives. He has given us the tools and abilities now all He wants from us is a passion for the cause.

Are you willing? Are you ready? Are you consumed?

“…For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” – Romans 9:17

Actions that Persuade

  Many of us have heard the term, " Well, it's just the principle of the thing." 

But I disagree, ...Sometimes it's more than the principle.

Sometimes it's the actions that precede that words.

Sometimes it's the lifestyle that practices the principle.

It's not the principle of the thing, it is the practice.

Our actions will always speak/preach louder than carefully chosen oratory.

We can talk all day about our personal convictions and beliefs but it is our actions that persuade.

Scott Ginsberg says, " Practice comes before principle. People aren't listening to your mouth talk, they're listening to your life speak."

So my question for you is this:

" Does your mouth and lifestyle match up?"

Such Hope,...

   Lately, it seems that many of my family members and close friends have been struggling with a lack of hope. Just this last weekend, I sat down with two friends on two separate occasions and listened as they discussed their struggles with hope. Life and its negativity were slowly eating away at their emotional, spiritual, and physical health. I watched as they cried in frustration at the problems in their life. I listened as they listed the things coming against them and their families. They felt like hope had disappointed them; that it had left them standing with the proverbial bill.
In Romans chapter 5, it says ¹ Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have^[a] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Read verses 3-5 again.
The Amplified Version reads this way:

3)Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. 4) And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of [a]character (approved faith and [b]tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] [c]joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. 5) Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.

  We need to stop seeing our problems as horrible occurrences. Life problems and issues are opportunities to grow. Like everyone else, I have problems and situations that I would rather not experience. BUT each problem was learning, growing time in my life. If I hadn't gone through _____, I would have never learned _____. When in the middle of a trial we tend to be blind to the rewards to be gained from the trial. Yes, the trial is terrible and heart-crushing. It tears at our emotions. We struggle to stay upright. But like a tree during a storm, our roots will sink deeper. We will become stronger.


   We will build character which will produce a strong, "joyful and confident hope."
This type of reinforced hope will carry us through any trial or storm. This secure hope recognizes the briefness of the storm and will give us the endurance needed to get through it. This hope can't be disappointed. It knows and reassures us of the Greatness of our Creator. We can glory in the Bigger, Unseen Plan, knowing it is for our good.

Such hope never disappoints,...

Prepare the House

  In Genesis 24 we read of one of the Bible's famous love stories; it's the story of Isaac and Rebecca. For those of you who may not be familiar with this story, here are the cliffnotes.

Abraham's wife Sarah dies. After this Abraham realizes Isaac (his son) needs a wife and sends his servant to find Isaac a wife. (That level of trust amazes me! Abraham trusted his servant to find his son a wife. AND apparently, Isaac also had high trust in the servant's ability to chose a wife for him.) Servant packs up the camels and heads to Nahor, Mesopotamia. Once he gets to Nahor he prays a simple prayer asking God to give him success. And he asks for a sign, the woman who gives him a drink of water and also waters his camels, "let her be the one."
The Word says before he finished praying that Rebecca came to draw water. She offered him water and watered his camels. Worshiping God the servant asks if he may come to her house to stay. She says yes and that there was plenty of room in the house. She goes to get her father, Laban. Laban comes out to the servant and says these words, "Come in, O blessed of the LORD! Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels.”
A few short verses later Rebecca was riding away to land of Abraham with the trusted servant. Isaac seeing her from afar knew who she was and he came to meet her. He took her home. They married and

began their life together.

Amazing story! There are so many valuable points to pull from this story but the one that jumped out at me this morning was in verse 31. " And he said, “Come in, O blessed of the LORD! Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels."

"For I have prepared the house,..."
 For those who read yesterday's post know that the idea of preparing is on my mind.
The definition of Prepare: transitive verb meaning  "to make ready beforehand for some purpose, use, or activity  or  to put in a proper state of mind."

Laban was ready beforehand. He didn't know that Abraham's trusted servant was outside his house choosing Isaac's wife. He didn't know that his daughter was about to presented with the opportunity of a lifetime. But because his house was prepared he linked his name & family the heritage of Christ.  Yes, I am aware that Laban doesn't exactly have the best resume in the Word but he was able to join his daughter to a powerful family legacy.

"For I have prepared the house,..."
Are we prepared for what is outside our house? Are you ready for what God has in store for you & your life? When the time comes are you going to be able to say, "I ready for I have prepared"?  OR will you miss out on an opportunity because you have to waste time getting ready for it?
Example: The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

Can you say, “Come in, O blessed of the LORD! Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house,...?"


 

"Condition yourself,..."

   This weekend I was blessed to be able to speak with one of my real-life heroines, Vesta Lane Mangun. This woman has always been an example role model for me. I love everything about her. Her fierce loyalty, her pure elegance, her love for people, her passion for the things of God, her zeal for Truth, and her love for family.

As I previously said, this weekend I was able to sit down on two separate occasions and talk with her. The first opportunity was full of general conversation concerning my work, schooling, and family. But the next opportunity contained gold. She sat me down and took my hands and prayed a powerful prayer over my life. After the prayer, she looked at me and said these words, " Baby, I pray for you. You have a calling and right now you need to begin to condition yourself for it."

Those words have run over and over in my mind, "Condition yourself,..." 
I have no clue of the how's when's and where's of my future. I don't know when those God dreams will come about in my lifetime. I don't know what signs to look for. But I can prepare for it.

I can be ready when the divinely appointed door opens.
I can be ready when my time comes.
I can be ready when He speaks, " This is the way. Walk in it..."

I can begin conditioning my physical self. I will work on my physical health so that it will not hinder my purpose. I can begin conditioning my spiritual self. I will start habits that will postively affect my purpose. I will pray more, study the Word more, learn more about Him. So that I may be effective. I can learn and study more about my culture, my passions, my world. By doing so I will "show myself approved."

If I prepare now I will be ready when He is ready.
It starts today.
Condition yourself,...

Having A Coke With You

Having A Coke With You

is even more fun than going top San Sebastain, Irun, Hendaye, Biarritz, Bayonne

or being sick to my stomach on the Travesera de Gracia in Barcelona

partly because in your orange shirt you look like a better happier St. Sebastian

partly because of my love for you, partly because of your love for yoghurt

partly because of the fluoresent orange tulips around the birches

partly because of the secrecy our smiles take on before people and statuary

it is hard to believe when I'm with you that there can be anything as still


as solemn as unpleasently definitive as statuary when right in front of it

in the warm New York 4 o'clock light we are drifting back and forth

between each other like a tree breathing through its spectacles

and the portrait show seems to have no faces in it at all, just paint

you suddenly wonder why in the world anyone ever did them I look


at you and I would rather look at you than all the portraits in the world

except possibly for the "Polish Rider" occasionally and anyway it's in the Frick

which thank heavens you haven't gone to yet so we can go together the first time

and the fact that you move so beautifully more or less takes care of Futurism

just as at home I never think of the "Nude Descending a Staircase" or

at a rehearsal a single drawing of Leonardo or Michaelangleo that used to wow me

and what good does all the research of the impressionists do them


when they never got the right person to stand near the tree when the sun sank

or for that matter Marino Marini when he didn't pick the rider as carefully

as the horse

it seems they were all cheated of some marvelous experience


which is not going to go wasted on me which is why I am telling you about it

Frank O'Hara

No scrubs,...

I don't want no scrub

A scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me

Feeling the TLC today,...

Scrub: A bum. He takes and takes from you but never gives back. He wants things his way or nothing at all. When you're with him you don't grow as a person; your spirit slowly is killed. He drains you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

 

Scrubs come in all shapes, colors and sizes. Sometimes they're easy to spot. Sometimes they're hard to see. Sometimes they attempt to cover up their scrubbiest ways with fine clothes and popularity. Sometimes they blatantly show their true colors.

 

It's best when you see a "scrub" to run with all you have. Listen to the wise voices around you. Heed their warnings. You're better than anything he has to offer, which isn't much. Ignore his smooth talk and oily ways. Look beyond his surface and see into his true heart. Forget what you want to see and see the reality that is often hid by rose-colored glasses.

But a scrub is checkin' me

But his game is kinda weak

And I know that he cannot approach me

Cuz I'm lookin' like class and he's lookin' like trash

Let's Talk,...

You can take a picture of something you see

In the future where will I be?

You can climb a ladder up to the sun

Or write a song nobody has sung

Or do something that's never been done

Are you lost or incomplete?

Do you feel like a puzzle, you can't find your missing piece?

Tell me how do you feel?

Well I feel like they're talking in a language I don't speak

And they're talking it to me

So you don't know were you're going, and you wanna talk

And you feel like you're going where you've been before

You tell anyone who'll listen but you feel ignored

Nothing's really making any sense at all

Let's talk,...*Talk by Coldplay

Now, let us have a little talk with Jesus.

Let us tell him all about our problems.

He will hear our faintest cry.

He will answer by and by.

...You will find a little talk with Jesus makes it right.

Haunted Dreams

“Sleep is when all the unsorted stuff comes flying out as from a dustbin upset in a high wind”

- William G. Golding

I dreamed of you again.

It is so strange to me how unprovoked you appear.

Dreams of you are always full of questions

And those questions breed more questions.

The day or two after is always the worst.

I find myself wondering if anything will ever come of it.

Then the cold reality sets in.

Squaring my shoulders, I look at the honest truth.

Insecurities fill my heart

as I realize you and I

are very similar but yet very different.

Our worlds familiar, yet we remain worlds apart.

It is what it is.

Like ships in the night sharing the same vast sea

We will continue to be.

All I ask of you is that you stopping haunting my dreams.

Classy is as Classy does,...

  A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.-Coco Chanel

  My life has always been full of classy women. I was raised watching old movies with Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, and Sophia Loren. I observed these women and how elegant their every action was. Also, I had role models in my world such as my mother, grandmothers and aunts. As well, as many women I have watched throughout the years.

I've learned the following:

• When a woman is classy, she carries herself in a confident, self-assured manner. She isn't snobby (there is a difference between classy & snobby). She knows who she is and isn't ashamed of it. She is confident that she can handle what life throws at her. Why? Because she has prepared for it. (Another sign of a classy lady.)
• When a woman is classy, she walks differently and has great posture. This goes along with the confidence point. You can tell how a woman thinks about herself by how she carries herself. Slouching shows lack of self-respect, confidence, & pride. Then there are those who carry themselves in an overly confident manner. We've all seen them. They walk as if everyone should be watching them. These women lean towards snob behaviors.
• When a woman is classy, she dresses like it. She doesn't expose herself. She respects her body and dresses it in a manner that causes others to respect it. She doesn't worry about the lastest trends in apparel, she knows what looks good and what doesn't. She isn't a crowd follower but a crowd parter. People respectful watch her.
• When a woman is classy, she is authentic. She is real. There is no fake smiles, hugs or comments. Everything is genuine, just like she is. She isn't afraid to show emotion but knows when to temper it. One of my favorite stories concerning a real-life heroine of mine, is about the time she was caught in her pajamas by a maintenance man (my grandfather). My grandfather said she was just as elegant in her oversized sleep shirt as she was in a suit. She wasn't ashamed of being authenic.She recognized it and was comfortable in the fact she was just as human as anyone else.

  Classy women are a scarcity in this day and time. We hear of women making the news because of nudity pics or affair scandals. It's hard for us to look around and see a truly classy woman to role model. I long for women to begin respecting themselves again. Because when you respect you others take note and begin to respect you in turn.

Creativity

 “Don't think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It's self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can't try to do things. You simply must do things.” -Ray Bradbury

I believe that each living individual has creativity inside of them.

We just have to tap into it.

Some individuals have creativity oozing from their pores. These are they who paint, draw, write and invent at a high rate. They are constantly churning out the visions of their imagination.

Then there are those of us who have to try harder to find the creativity lurking in us. We know it's there but we never quite seem to connect and draw from it. We are they who long to paint, draw, write and invent but find ourselves with a room of unfinished projects.

It's the unfinished that haunts us.

It urges us to give up; to realize we are not the Van Gogh we wish to be.

However we must realize while we are born with creativity it must be nutured and cultured.

Remember as a child how you could create epic battle scenes with the neighborhood kids?

Remember how you could mass produce work after work of Crayola art?

Remember how you could be easily entertained for hours with just a couple of toys?

It's because you constantly fed your creativity.

Creativity is like a checking account.

If you don't put anything in it, eventually it's going to be empty.

Invest time to daily feed your creativity.

Like any good investment, it will pay in the long term.

No matter what area your creative genius lies, invest in it.

 Feed it.

Then watch it come back to feed your creative soul.

The Vital Need

I have started reading the Amplified Bible when studying. I had heard about the version at a Women's Conference. And then YouVersion (Love YouVersion! It's a smart phone must!) came out with it. Now it is one of my favorite Bible versions.

Last night when reading I came across Psalms 27. Sometimes I find I don't have the words to pray and during those times I open up the Psalms and pray them. Psalms 27 is an excellent psalm for this. As I prayed through Psalm 27, I came to verse 8 and couldn't leave it. It commanded my attention.

8You have said, Seek My face [inquire for and require My presence as your vital need]. My heart says to You, Your face (Your presence), Lord, will I seek, inquire for, and require [of necessity and on the authority of Your Word].

I want that Psalms 27:8 hunger. I want to passionately seek, ask for and require God's presence because I have to have it to survive. It has to be a need in my life

How often do we seek after God because we crave, yearn, need Him? Not because of what He can do for us but because without Him we are nothing. He must be my vital need.

Somehow I have to get beyond routine religion and start requiring "living water" for daily substance.



Hope Givers

Yesterday, I had a much needed conversation with my Gmom. Like I’ve mentioned in previous posts, my grandmother is a wise woman with insight I dream of having one day. I've been feeling self pity because of my current phase in life compared to that of my peers. She calmly listened as I emotionally unloaded on her and once I had finished she spoke hope into my heart.

She is a hope giver.

Hope Givers have the ability to move the emotional perspective on life. Hope Givers bring a calmness and peace about circumstances. They have the ability to give strength and courage to those who felt they could not go on.

In your realm of influence, are you a Hope Giver? It doesn't take a special degree or vast experience. It only takes a few minutes of your time and a few carefully chosen words.

You can change someone's life with the words you speak.

Are you a hope giver? Do you bring hope to those around you?

Learning experience # 528

  Sometimes open doors shut. Sometimes windows aren't meant to be raised. Sometimes it's a pride destroying experience. Sometimes you realize that it's not the plan for you. Sometimes there is more  than meets the eyes. Sometimes you want to cry in the disappointment.

It's apart of life.

BUT.

I KNOW,...

Not all open doors shut. Windows do open. Sometimes it's a building experience. There is a bigger plan for me. There is more divine working than meets the eyes. Sometimes blessings comes through tears.

And that it is all apart of life.

Not trying to be repetitive but this scripture is quickly becoming my manta.

Isaiah 40:27-31

27 Why do you complain, Jacob?

Why do you say, Israel,

“My way is hidden from the LORD;

my cause is disregarded by my God”?

28 Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

The Awakening

Last night I attended a student-led bible study at FPB. This group of around 10 students have started meeting on Monday nights for the sole purpose of digging deeper in the Word. When hearing about it, I thought I'd stop by and see what it was about.  I didn't quite know what to expect and I have to say I was pleasantly shocked. I was told the group started at 7pm so I arrived right on time guessing that it would start late (we're talking high schoolers here.) I was wrong. I was one of the last ones to arrive. The students were quietly talking while waiting for everyone to arrive. As I sat down, I noticed each student, whether it was a traditional Bible, iphone or ipad,  had a Bible with them. They were prepared and ready.

A student kicked it off with scripture and her thoughts on her chosen topic. She did well! She was clear and concise. It was obvious she prepared for the study. After she spoke, the other students began to chime in with their thoughts, experiences and encouragement. In amazement I listened to students openly and confidently discussing the Word and Godly lifestyles. I was in awe.  Afterwards, they passionately prayed for various individual needs and for a spiritual awakening.

The evening left me humbled and full of expectation. You know something incredible is about to happen when individuals begin to actively seek after Him. Age or background doesn't matter to God. He just wants one who seeks after His heart. I firmly believe at FPB there is a group of students who are actively seeking His Face. The awakening they prayed for is already upon them.

 Whether they realize it or not, they are the awakening.

¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.-Jeremiah 29:13

6 Ways Leaders Can Build Trust

Today's blog is by Dr. Jeremy Statton. I saw his post on Michael Hyatt's blog and decided to share his wisdom with you. Great read! I encourage you to start following Dr. Statton via blog or twitter!

6 Ways Leaders Can Build Trust

We have all had a boss that we did not respect. No matter how intelligent or charismatic, you knew that placing blind faith in him or her would be a mistake. You were always watching your back waiting for the sucker punch to come.
A lack of trust allows fear to become a primary motivation with your team members. They will fear your opinions. They will fear your decisions and evaluations. They will fear failure. They will fear you.
Once fear creeps in, your team members will become paralyzed.
Trust is something that has to be earned. It is something we are all told to give away slowly and to take back quickly.

Here are six ways that a leader can instill respect and trust in his team:

• Expose yourself. Open yourself to others. Not in a dangerous way where people can take advantage of you, but rather in a way that demonstrates honesty and humility. Your team needs to know that you are just like them. Be willing to admit your own failures. If you put up a wall around yourself, your team will too.
• Take the hit. When undesirable outcomes happen, we are all quick to point the finger. If your team members see that you are willing to take the blame for the good of the team, even if its not directly your fault, then they will start to let go and trust you. As leader of a team you need to accept the responsibility for both the good and the bad.
• Build your team members up. This is the opposite of taking the hit. Whenever it is appropriate make sure you praise your team members in front of their peers and superiors. Be sure to applaud their efforts and results. Never try to take sole credit for something good that the team did.
• Get rid of the leash. Allow for freedom to explore new ideas and to be creative. If people feel that you are micro-managing them, they will stop trusting you. Make room for failure and more importantly the opportunity to learn from failure.
• Accept confrontation. Fighting is not good, but neither is false agreement. When there is a difference of opinion, promote discussion. Explore solutions with the intent to solve problems. If disagreement never occurs, then your team is afraid of telling you the truth.
• Find the value in each person. We all have weaknesses, but we also have strengths. Everyone brings something different to the table. Find what is unique in each individual and use that unique strength for the good of the team.

With trust a team can work together. Individuals will accept roles. Leaders will be respected. Teams can be productive.

Oceanside God Talks

   I'm back from my mini vacation to the ocean. I loved each minute of it. I think I could live by the ocean. The smells, the sounds and the view soothe my soul like none other. During the last few minutes of the drive, Jen ( the driver) rolled the windows down and the salty, tangy smell of the ocean filled the vehicle. I took a deep breath and released all the frustrations.
   Each morning at 7am, I awoke before everyone else and  grab my Publix blueberry yogurt, bottled water, Bible and JesusCulture, a book by Banning Liebscher. I would head out to the balcony which overlooked the gorgeous water and spend some time in the Word.  Staring out over the roaring waves while the sun would peek up over the horizon, I would sit thoughtless in awe of how He breathed this massive space into being.
   There on the deserted sands, I would watch as God showed off His might through the crashing waves and think of how truly small I am in comparsion. Yet, He favors me over the might of the ocean. He favors me over infinite sands. He favors me over the seemly endless waters. He values me above all of His artfully, masterfully, grand creations.

    Psalms chapter 8: 3-4 comes to mind:

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?"

 He is mindful of me in my small pitiful state with so many flaws. In spite of all of my shortcomings, He favors me. As I sat looking over the waters, my heart was full of humbled awe that He would care and be mindful of me in my low state.  He looks beyond my past, my problems, my flaws and stumblings, and sees who I can become in Him. I stand humbled by His mercy and grace.

Psalms 93: 4

" Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea— the LORD on high is mighty. "

Random

Okay, I normally don't post such things on this blog but I just can't help it this one time.

One of the blogs I follow posted this picture yesterday,... Being an avid book lover & collector, PLUS having an overly romantic heart this was utterly perfect.

As my bestie, JMash says, "Le sigh...."

I Heart my Church

   For the last few weeks, the FPB creative team has been working on our new website (Stay tuned for the launch date!) and we were talking about certain things we wanted to be represented on the new site. One of these was a " I Heart my Church" page. On this page, we will have video & comments from FPB members on why they love their church. I can't wait to hear & see all the love pouring out for FPB.
 I really do belong to a fantastic church and I wanted to list my reasons for why "I heart my Church."
 So here you go, a few reasons why I love my church:

• FPB is one of the most friendly churches I have ever been to and I've been to several. When you walk in the opened door you are greeted with a friendly smile and a welcoming attitude. I feel that sour, mean, gossip-spreading, rude, obnoxious people cannot God-filled. It's impossible to behave in that manner if Christ is truly in you. Note: if you act in the above listed manner, check yourself. The spirit living in you is NOT of God.
• Our student ministry, Element is doing a great job leading & discipling students into a mature walk with God. Honestly, I've been to churches where the Student Ministry was all most being the most edgy, current student group. Lights, creative art demonstartions, and concerts led the students rather than the Word and prayer. Don't get me wrong! I am all for lights, creative art and concerts for students! I love that! But if you aren't digging down into the Truth and showing the students how to do the same, then you are just raising a generation that is more concerned with the outside of the cup rather than the inside. Read Matthew 23:26.
• I belong to one the most giving churches. If a need arises, whether it be international, national, community, or an individual, FPB reaches that need. I have seen FPB hallways full of clothes and shoes for the homeless, ziplock bags of various medicial items for Haiti, Christmas presents for a needy family, and food for a sick family. This church reaches out to lift others up in any possible way. That's what being a Godly person is all about. Recognizing the need of others and reaching it in whatever manner possible.

Yes, FPB may have flaws and problems. We're working on them. As our Pastor likes to say, "This is a church full of humans. We're created flawed."  We all mess up but hopefully, it's the Jesus in us that strives to correct the mess and move onwards and upwards.  FPB is a wonderful church full of wonderful people. I am blessed to call the First Pentecostals of Benton my home church.  I heart my church.

My Thoughts Thursday

SO grateful it's finally Thursday! I feel like I can see the light at the end of the work week tunnel. This week has been insanely busy, which isn't always a bad thing. It just makes for a whole lot of crazy drama. Whew!

Anyway, back to my Thursday thoughts. The following is a few things that have been on my mind this week.

 And here we go, ...

• The Beach: One week from today I will be driving to meet my dear LA. Friends for our Annual Girl's Trip. I am so ready for sun, sand and surf. I've already started mentally packing my book bag. There really is no better place to study the Word than beach lit by a quiet sunrise. Love it!


• Friends: I am truly thankful for my LA. Girls. These girls have been my friends for years. We've laughed, cried, giggled, shopped, shared and prayed together. These girls have shouldered many a burden and prayed many a prayer with me. They’ve shown me the right path more often than I'd like to admit. They've been there for me even when I may have been distant. I appreciate them and value them so very much. If you don't have a group of friends or even A friend like my LA. Friends, you need to find one. You will definitely need one.


• Nagging vs. Burden: This topic has been on my mind lately. We have to make sure we recognize the difference between nagging someone to reach God and having a burden for someone to reach God. The burden makes the difference. When you have a burden, it's about the individual's soul and eternity location. When you nag at a person, it's about you and getting your way. One way is altruistic, the other selfish. Which are you?


• Graduation night: For many high school teens, tonight and tomorrow night marks the ending of a phase. Six years ago I graduated high school... that seems like a lifetime ago. To the graduates of 2011, I say pursue those God dreams in your life and don't be surprised when the dreams begin to change. Dream change can be very healthy. It's apart of life. It's apart of growing up. It's apart of becoming who God designed you to be.

To quote Steven Tyler, “Dream on,..."

 

  

Bring 'em back

I've decided to start wearing more hats.

 I blame Kate Middleton and the Brits for this reborn obsession.

Who cares if no one else in Arkansas is wearing them!

Attach some netting and a feather to that straw farmer's hat and hit the town!

( Hat Therapy)

(Hat Therapy)



TED Commandments

If you are a speaker or plan on speaking in the future you need to have personal guidelines for yourself and your speech. My personal pet peeve is speakers who ramble about the same topic for nearly an hour.If you have guidelines for yourself you will be more memorable and you will keep from boring your audience.
   In his article, " Ten Tips from Lincoln on Writing a Kick-ass Speech" Leo Babauta tells us to keep it short. "If you can deliver a two-minute speech, instead of a 30-minute droner, your audience will actually listen, and will love you for your brevity."
All ten of the points he makes are fantastic! Being a huge Abe Lincoln fan, I am in complete agreement of each of them. Especially the last one, End Strong. "Lincoln ended the Gettysburg Address with the line “that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” And that line went down in history. End with a line people will remember, that contains the message you want them to remember, because, aside from the opening, it’s the most important line."

TED organization is known for having some of the most inspiring, creative, passionate speakers on the planet. Before a new member speaks for the first time, the organization will send the new member a stone slate with the following TED commandments inscribed on it. Each "commandment" is incredible. I challenge you to apply these at your next speaking engagement!

The TED Commandments:

1. Thou Shalt Not Simply Trot Out thy Usual Shtick
2. Thou Shalt Dream a Great Dream, or Show Forth a Wondrous New Thing, Or Share Something Thou Hast Never Shared Before
3. Thou Shalt Reveal thy Curiosity and Thy Passion
4. Thou Shalt Tell a Story
5. Thou Shalt Freely Comment on the Utterances of Other Speakers for the Skae of Blessed Connection and Exquisite Controversy
6. Thou Shalt Not Flaunt thine Ego. Be Thou Vulnerable. Speak of thy Failure as well as thy Success.
7. Thou Shalt Not Sell from the Stage: Neither thy Company, thy Goods, thy Writings, nor thy Desparate need for Funding; Lest Thou be Cast Aside into Outer Darkness.
8. Thou Shalt Remember all the while: Laughter is Good.
9. Thou Shalt Not Read thy Speech.
10. Thou Shalt Not Steal the Time of Them that Follow Thee

My Grandmama

 I dearly love Doylene Kuykendall. She is my mentor, prayer partner, best friend, confidant, and she's my grandmama. She is four things every woman should be: Godly, fiesty, wise and strong. She has guided me through many personal storms and given me so many words of wisdom. If you have the opportunity to meet her, do so. She will rock your world. She is a 4'9 bundle of smiles, joy and wisdom. She is always correcting, guiding, and mentoring me down life's path. She hands out Godly wisdom like candy and each one is tried and true.

Today I thought I'd share a few of her God points.

1. You can't out-give God.  I have heard this phrase come out of her mouth dozens of times. If I was struggling financially or was needing answers, I'd call her up and she'd ask, " Rae, how's your giving? Are you fulfilling the Word's requests? Are you taking care of God's things first?" And then I'd state if I was or if I had been slacking on my giving. Now, she didn't always mean financially giving. Sometimes she's ask if I was giving God my time. The term Giving is covers a wide range of area from time, to abilities, to finances. She makes sure I am giving God my best in all areas because if I am doing that, "He will take care of your needs. Baby, you can't out-give God. It's not possible."
2. God's things first. This one gets used a lot. During college, I'd call her up crying or whining about how everyone else was doing this or was moving there. I would start talking about my plans for my life. She would listen quietly for a few moments and then I'd hear these words, "God's things first, baby. You take care of His dreams for your life and then your dreams will fall into place." She would talk to me about how our plans aren't always His Plans. I'd listen and calm down. She was right. And to this day if I start racing ahead of God's Will for my life, I'll hear her word's echoing in my mind, "God's things first, baby. God's things first."
3. Have you prayed about it?  I'll be complaining about a situation and she'll whip out this phrase, "Have you prayed about it?" Silence on my end of the call. My Grandmama is a prayer warrior. This lady moves mountains when she prays. Seriously. She has a direct line to God and when she prays about a situation things happen. Her prayer life is an inspiration to me. I don't pray enough. When visiting my Grandmama in Louisiana I always try to go to Saturday morning prayer with her. I'll pray for awhile and then just listen to her prayers. They are inspiring. I'm learning to put my concerns in the right perspective. It's taking time and sometimes I still have to be reminded. "Have you prayed about it, baby?"
4.  Get in the Word.  Whew... She makes sure I'm hitting THE BOOK.  Am I in the Word? Am I studying His truths and learning more about the Holy One? If I'm conflicted on a matter she will ask, "What does the Word say? What is God's promise concerning that matter?"  She will tell you up front you have no business NOT knowing what God says through His Word. "Study to show yourself approved."  She will tell you to search His Word, Study it  and seek Him,... these principles are evident in her own life. "Get in the Word."

 I know I am blessed to know this Godly woman. I am blessed by her on a daily basis. If you don't have a woman like her in your life, go find one. Eveyone needs a Doylene Kuykendall.

Tzedakah

  Last Sunday night at FPB my Pastor spoke on the story in the Gospels about the woman who "did what she could." Read about this in Mark 14. As he spoke, I began to think about this woman and how she didn't have much but because she did what she could she ended up being mentioned throughout time. Even Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Simply because she did what she could with what she had.


Apparently God wasn't finished with me on this topic because Monday when going through my daily reading routine of various news sources, websites and blogs, I came across a blog by Scott Ginsberg and in his post he made a point about choreographed giving.

Choreographed giving is when there is no passion, no heart behind our giving. It's a methodical, lifeless motion. We find ourselves going through a giving routine that leaves us feeling hollow and unblessed. We resentfully give our time when asked. We give our finances because as a Christian that what we're supposed to do. We bury talents and abilities in the dirt of our daily routines. We become  automatic givers of our time, our finances, and our abilities. There is no heart, no passion, and no purpose behind our giving. We give because it's socially expected of us, because our Pastor gave a convicting sermon, or because our pew neighbor pulled out their pocketbook and we don't want to be outdone.

When reading about the early church, we read Paul's letters to the various churches and in these letters he is thanking them for their giving spirit. He encourages them to step up and give more. He even laid out Giving plans for some of the churches. We even read of the consequences for selfish giving in Acts 5:1-10. Giving was an essential part of the early church. I firmly believe that giving spirit is one of the reasons the early church grew so quickly.

In Judaism there is a word: tzedakah. It's a commandment to give. You see it in Matthew 6:2-4.
"So, when you do tzedakah, don't announce it with trumpets to win people's praise, like the hypocrites in the synagogues and on the streets. Yes! I tell you, they have their reward already! 3 But you, when you do tzedakah, don't even let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Then your tzedakah will be in secret; and your Father, who sees what you do in secret, will reward you."

Tzedakah comes from the root word tzedek, meaning righteous. It becomes tzedakah when you add the letter, "hey" which symbolizes the name of the Divine One. So when you put it all together you get tzedakah, righteous acts of giving which permeate God in the world. Jews believe that when you tzedakah or give, you are actually spreading the light of God.

Through the giving of your time, finances and abilities are you spreading the light of God?

Do you have a life of tzedakah?

When you have to heart of a giver you recognize that it's not about you. Your time, finances, and abilities were all GIVEN to you by God. He does not bless us in these three areas so that we can selfishly hoard them for our own personal gain.  

Giving is more than our bi-weekly 10%. Giving is more than building funds. It's more than offerings. Yes, those things are apart of financial giving but there has to be more. Giving is not about being seen or about how it makes you feel. It's not about giving to receive. It's not about giving because of peer pressure. Giving is not an initiative. It's about a life style, a mindset.

Melanie Shock tells a story of a little boy named Mark who lives in the Philippines.Mark is around 11 years old and sells newspapers to support his mother and sister. She speaks about how she & the local missionary's wife, Brenda Mallory went and bought Mark groceries for his family. Upon arriving at his home she was shocked by his living conditions but she was more amazed at his giving spirit. After showing his family the groceries, he brought an unopened bottle of soda to Brenda Mallory and offered it to her, "Ma'am are you thirsty?"

He was willing to give a gift he had yet to experience or enjoy. He was committing tzedekah.

We must let go of the 21st Century American cultural mindset and be the givers that God designed us to be.
As the speaker & writer, Randy Alcorn said, "Someday I'm going to stand before God and give an account of my life (Romans 14:12). On that day I do not want to have to explain why, being indwelt with the Holy Spirit and having lived in the most affluent nation in human history, I failed to give at the very minimal level of those who did not have the indwelling Spirit and owned far less than I".

Giving is not what we do, it's who we are. As a spirit-filled, Apostolic American I should be one of the most giving people I know. I should be willing to open my pocketbook, day-timer and heart for others who are in need. There should be no reason why I should be stingy with my time, finances and abilities. We have got to get rid of this selfish mentality, or spirit. We have got to let go of our faithless concerns for our personal agendas. Ask yourself, "Percentages aside, Am I a generous giver with my time, finances and abilities?" What is the answer?

We have to learn to give before being asked.

We have to learn to give after being asked.

We have to learn to give everything that is asked.

We have to learn to give beyond what is asked.

 

Luke Chapter 12:

16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

What are you preparing for yourself? Are you rich in the things of God?
Or are you selfishly hoarding your time, finances and abilities?

God does not give so that I or you may take. God gives so that we may give back.



My Mom

She is wife.

She is mom.

She is many things to all.

She is small.

She has grey hair.

She has brown eyes and a mouth quick to smile.

She is quick-witted.

She is sarcastic.

She can spout of endless cliches.

She is a wise leader.

She is a quiet listener.

She is a protector of her family.

She is calm.

She is fierce.

She is always loving.

She is trustworthy.

She is honorable.

She is one on whom I can depend.

She is quiet.

She is brave.

She is full of goodness.

She is a peacemaker.

She is a truth speaker.

She is my Mom.

Love you, Mom.

Royal Wedding- Bishop of London

The Sermon at the Royal Wedding was simply amazing in my eyes. It was simple and eloquent. I love how Prince William and Kate made their ceremony about God & His Blessings. Read their prayer at the end of the Sermon.
Oh and by the way, Kate's brother did a reading of 12:1-2, 9-18 in the wedding. Amazing.

The Bishop of London's Sermon at the Royal Wedding:

"Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” So said St Catherine of Siena whose festival day it is today. Marriage is intended to be a way in which man and woman help each other to become what God meant each one to be, their deepest and truest selves.

Many are full of fear for the future of the prospects of our world but the message of the celebrations in this country and far beyond its shores is the right one – this is a joyful day! It is good that people in every continent are able to share in these celebrations because this is, as every wedding day should be, a day of hope.

In a sense every wedding is a royal wedding with the bride and the groom as king and queen of creation, making a new life together so that life can flow through them into the future.

William and Catherine, you have chosen to be married in the sight of a generous God who so loved the world that he gave himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ.

And in the Spirit of this generous God, husband and wife are to give themselves to each another.

A spiritual life grows as love finds its centre beyond ourselves. Faithful and committed relationships offer a door into the mystery of spiritual life in which we discover this; the more we give of self, the richer we become in soul; the more we go beyond ourselves in love, the more we become our true selves and our spiritual beauty is more fully revealed. In marriage we are seeking to bring one another into fuller life.

It is of course very hard to wean ourselves away from self-centredness. And people can dream of doing such a thing but the hope should be fulfilled it is necessary a solemn decision that, whatever the difficulties, we are committed to the way of generous love.

You have both made your decision today – “I will” – and by making this new relationship, you have aligned yourselves with what we believe is the way in which life is spiritually evolving, and which will lead to a creative future for the human race.

We stand looking forward to a century which is full of promise and full of peril. Human beings are confronting the question of how to use wisely a power that has been given to us through the discoveries of the last century. We shall not be converted to the promise of the future by more knowledge, but rather by an increase of loving wisdom and reverence, for life, for the earth and for one another.

Marriage should transform, as husband and wife make one another their work of art. It is possible to transform as long as we do not harbour ambitions to reform our partner. There must be no coercion if the Spirit is to flow; each must give the other space and freedom. Chaucer, the London poet, sums it up in a pithy phrase:

“Whan maistrie [mastery] comth, the God of Love anon,

Beteth his wynges, and farewell, he is gon.”

As the reality of God has faded from so many lives in the West, there has been a corresponding inflation of expectations that personal relations alone will supply meaning and happiness in life. This is to load our partner with too great a burden. We are all incomplete: we all need the love which is secure, rather than oppressive, we need mutual forgiveness, to thrive.

As we move towards our partner in love, following the example of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is quickened within us and can increasingly fill our lives with light. This leads to a family life which offers the best conditions in which the next generation can practise and exchange those gifts which can overcome fear and division and incubate the coming world of the Spirit, whose fruits are love and joy and peace.

I pray that all of us present and the many millions watching this ceremony and sharing in your joy today, will do everything in our power to support and uphold you in your new life. And I pray that God will bless you in the way of life that you have chosen, that way which is expressed in the prayer that you have composed together in preparation for this day:

God our Father, we thank you for our families; for the love that we share and for the joy of our marriage.

In the busyness of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy.

Strengthened by our union help us to serve and comfort those who suffer. We ask this in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen.