Not Fair

My heart is heavy this afternoon.  I attended a funeral today for a family friend from church- a strong 40 year old Christian man who was a husband and daddy to three precious boys, the oldest of which is 16 years old.  As the slide show of pictures played before the service started, I found myself crying and thinking that this is not fair.  It's not fair that he was in a severe car accident before Christmas that resulted in him having several surgeries in order to save his arm.  It's not fair that his family thought everything was going to be okay, and then on Friday morning he fainted in their closet at home.  It's not fair that he died due to a blood clot relating to his accident they think.  It's not fair that his wife and three boys have to go through loosing a husband and father so young.  It's not fair that his parents outlive their son, and that his three sisters loose their only brother.

There is a great article written about Bryan here.

It is a blessing that in God's perfect timing He allowed Bryan one more Christmas with his family.  It is a testament of the life he lived for God's glory that the sanctuary was full today; full of old teammates he used to play football with and all of the people whose life he touched.  There is hope because even in this, God is sovereign and will use this for His good.

As we begin this new year, I am struck by the truth of my pastor's message on Sunday.  He preached about life being a gift.  We don't deserve and are certainly not guaranteed one more day on this earth.  Life is a gift that God gives us freely.  Pastor Curtis challenged us to pray about what God wants us to do with it.

The last couple months, we have personally been surrounded by a lot of tragedy.  Our pastor in Waco, Mike Toby, passed away from brain cancer after being suddenly diagnosed a few months ago.  A work friend of my dad's passed away this week from health issues.  My college room-mate's husband is battling very aggressive cancer for the second time in his short life of 30 years.  They have a one-year old daughter.  A co-worker's sister was pregnant with a baby boy and due on January 10.  Over the holidays the baby passed away in-utero only a couple of weeks before her due date.  Another one of my co-workers lost twin grandbabies when her daughter went into pre-term labor at 20 weeks yesterday.  And, a third one of my co-workers' brother slipped and fell over the holidays and is in a coma he is not expected to wake up from.

I don't understand it and can't begin to fathom the grief these families are suffering.  But I do know and believe, "that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, and who have been called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28

My devotional today was about hope.  Hope in the Lord is the only thing that brings light into this kind of darkness. "God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea." - Psalm 46:1

Please join me in praying for these families; that God would fill them with His strength and His peace.

Rise

I attended a Women's Bible Study event tonight at my church with Beth Moore and was so blessed by it.  JW and I have been attending Bayou City Fellowship, a church I first learned about the Living Proof Ministries blog, since we moved back to Houston this summer.  We tried a few others, but really felt led that BCF is where God wanted us.  Beth's son-in-law, Curtis Jones, is the pastor, and he is such a powerful motivator of faith.  The church is only a year old, and has already grown so much. 

Rise is BCF's quarterly women's night of worship and teaching by Beth Moore.  This was my first time to attend and my mom got to join me.  It was a powerful evening.  The Bible study was on 2 Kings 5:1-14 and we talked about God's power to heal us of the things holding us back from truly living for Him. The healing that God offers is sometimes hard and requires much of us, but we can be mighty women of valor living for Him if we allow the Spirit to help us.

One of the worship songs we sang was so moving and powerful to me.  The lyrics are below.  I don't want to forget the impact they had on me tonight.

"Beneath The Waters (I Will Rise)"
by Hillsong United

This is my revelation
Christ Jesus crucified
Salvation through repentance
At the cross on which He died

Now hear my absolution
Forgiveness for my sin
And I sink beneath the waters
That Christ was buried in

[Chorus]
I will rise, I will rise
As Christ was raised to life
Now in Him, now in Him
I live

I stand a new creation
Baptized in blood and fire
No fear of condemnation
By faith I'm justified

[Chorus]
I will rise, I will rise
As Christ was raised to life
Now in Him, now in Him
I live

I rise as You are risen
Declare Your rule and reign
My life confess Your Lordship
And glorify Your Name
Your Word it stands eternal
Your Kingdom knows no end
Your praise goes on forever
An on and on again

No power can stand against You
No curse assault Your throne
No one can steal Your glory
For it is Yours alone
I stand to sing Your praises
I stand to testify
For I was dead in my sin

[Chorus]
But now I rise, I will rise
As Christ was raised to life
Now in Him, now in Him
I live

He's Always There

Work is crazy this week with March for Babies less than two weeks away, but I need a few minutes to come up for air.  So, let me share with you something that has been on my heart while I take a break.  Our Pastor shared a video this Sunday at church that has a pretty powerful implication, and I have not been able to let it go.

Take a few minutes to watch this video.  This is Penn Jillette, a very outspoken atheist, well-know for his comedy and magic show in Vegas, Penn & Teller.

Convicting right?  Did you catch the part where he said, "If you believe in heaven and hell, how much do you have to hate someone to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them about it?" 

Wow!  I want to be a "kind, and nice, and sane person" not afraid to look someone in the eye and show them the genuine love of Christ.  Shouldn't we as Christians have the sense of urgency that he mentions?   He uses the analogy that if we believe without a shadow of a doubt that a truck is going to hit someone, there comes a point when we tackle them to keep them safe.  Why don't we have the same mentality about salvation?  Penn Jillette reflects on his encounter with this man, and doesn't change his belief, at least not yet, but has a great deal of respect for this "good man." 

Isn't that all God requires of us?  To simply share our story of faith, and let Him do the rest.  He alone can change a person's heart, but we can share what God has done in our life.  I find great responsibility, but also freedom in that.  I pray that Penn Jillette never forgets the goodness of that man who witnessed to him and one day comes to know the love and goodness of Jesus as his savior.  I heard this song on the radio this week and it brought me peace.  We have a lot going on right now, and being reminded that He is always there is so comforting. 

I vividly remember coming home from school when I was eight years old after having a fight with a girl friend one day in tears.  I was so upset my friend would betray me and not be there when I needed her.  I told my mom I wanted a friend who would always be there for me and would pick me up when I fell down, and that I thought that friend was Jesus.  She prayed with me and since that day, I know His holy spirit has been with me all this time.  As we get ready for Easter and celebrating our risen Lord, I pray that I would not be afraid to share the kind of friend my Jesus is to me.

My Help

Have you had those weeks where just thinking about your responsibilities and the tasks you have to get done puts your stomach in knots?  I have one of those weeks coming up with a big event for work on Thursday.  The event will be our second-annual Signature Chefs Auction in Waco, and our large fundraiser for the fall.  We have worked hard on it for several months and most everything is falling into place, but there are many last-minute details that need to be accomplished this week.  I have had a lot of volunteer help, but being a one-staff-person office leaves a lot of room for me to pile the pressure on myself.  I want everything to be perfect and am ultimately the one that the responsibility falls on. 

I was reminded by a devotional from "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young this weekend that I am not alone. Here is an excerpt that I will probably come back to more than once this week:

Walk peacefully with Me through this day.  You are wondering how you will cope with all that is expected of you.  You must traverse this day like any other; one step at a time.  Instead of mentally rehearsing how you will do this or that, keep your mind on My Presence and on taking the next step.  The more demanding your day, the more help you can expect from Me.  This is a training opportunity, since I designed you for deep dependence on your Shepherd-King.  Challenging times wake you up and amplify your awareness of needing My help.

When you don't know what to do, wait while I open the way before you.  Trust that I know what I'm doing, and be ready to follow My lead.  I will give strength to you, and I will bless you with Peace.

I know this will be easier said than done, but here is what I will aim to focus on this week:

The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with Peace.
-Psalm 29: 11

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
-Psalm 121: 2

Even youths grow tired and weary; and young men stumble and fall; 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.
-Isaiah 40: 30-31

We Remember

10 years ago today our nation was attacked.  10 years ago today we can all remember where we stood when we heard the news.  10 years ago today we stood a nation united against any threat to our freedom.

Today we reflect and remember those who lost their lives.  I cannot imagine what it was like to be in one of the planes or in the World Trade Center.  Moms, dads, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and grandparents were lost that day.  I did not personally know anyone that passed away, but I can only imagine what those families have gone through in enduring the loss of a loved one.  

I am thankful for the heroes that were walking up the stairs when civilians were running down.  9/11 is a part of our nation's history, and I am proud to remember the courage of so many on that day.  It is easy to watch the news and see a world that is lost, but I am encouraged that through a traumatic event like this, so many turn to God.  I am thankful for our God who will never leave us or forsake us.  He is faithful and sovereign, and I am thankful to have the freedom to worship and serve Him freely in my country. 

God, please bless America.  Bless the families that mourn a lost one today.  Bless the soldiers that fight to defend our freedom.  Bless our nation's leaders and guide them with your wisdom.  Give us all courage to stand for what is right and to stand united One Nation Under God.

Interrupted or Divine Intervention?

This week my women's bible study at church started up again. I was excited to get back in the routine of studying God's word and even more excited about the study my group is doing. It is called "Jonah- Navigating a Life Interrupted" by Priscilla Shirer. I experienced Priscilla Shirer in the last study we did that was a DVD study taught by Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, and Priscilla Shirer. It was then I fell in love with her witty and honest way of leading. I love studies where you can laugh, especially when it's at yourself and how true the life example that the leader just shared is in your own life.

So I don't know about you, but when I think of the story of Jonah in the Bible, this is what I picture.

I picture the bizarre Bible story I heard when I was little with a man being swallowed by a big fish and then being spit out at some beach he didn't want to go to. I am excited to see how my image of Jonah and his story changes over the next 7 weeks as I study it as an adult.
Being the kind of person I am that likes to feel like I have a plan and that I am somewhat in control, interruptions are not often something that I look upon kindly. This study begins with challenging us to change the way we view interruptions. Priscilla says:
"Often we equate the term interruption with upheaval, derailing, and frustration. Who wouldn't try to avoid those? Yet a closer look reveals an issue of value. When we deem our current task as an essential priority, we'll look with contempt on anything that threatens our time focused on it. Why? We've given priority and credited value to the current task, person, or goal."
But when we realize who God is and that He is the one that may be giving us a new assignment, our view should change. Priscilla explains:
"If He is our priority and His will is our primary purpose, then when the 'word of the Lord' comes to us or when He allows us to see His hand in our circumstances, we must see it as an esteemed opportunity to participate in kingdom purposes. What more critical or essential ambition could there be?
So, we redifine interruption in our lives because God's plan is a "Divine Intervention". I am already convicted and inspired by two days of this study. I cannot wait to see how God will challenge and change me through the study of His word. I hope you're life is interrupted today and that you are able to see His plan for your life's purpose!

Holy Fruit

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." - Galatians 5:22-23

This verse reminds me of Vacation Bible School and the song that I learned to memorize all the fruits of the Spirit. Come on- how many of you are singing that song in your head right now? I am thankful for that song and the fun of VBS, but I know that this verse should mean something more to me than a rhyming song at this point in my life. It is easy for me to look at all of these qualities a Christian should emulate and model in their life and truly desire them for my own life, but I quickly get overwhelmed. I think to myself, "I could probably tackle a couple of those today, but I want to demonstrate Christ in my life in all of those ways." The only conclusion then is- "God help me."

In a devotional my mom gave me called, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, she writes as if Jesus is talking:
"I am creating something new in you: a bubbling spring of Joy that spills over into others' lives. Do not mistake this Joy for your own or try to take credit for it in any way. Instead, watch in delight as My Spirit flows through you to bless others. Let yourself become a reservoir of the Spirit's fruit.
Your part is to live close to me, open to all that I am doing in you. Don't try to control the streaming of My Spirit through you. Just keep focusing on Me as we walk through this day together. Enjoy My Presence, which permeates you with Love, Joy, and Peace."

I am comforted by these words because they assure us that we are not in this alone. God doesn't give us a list of qualities and expect us to get their by our own hard work and effort. We are to rely on Him and let Him do a work in us. I hope this gives you the kind of encouragement it gave me today!