How'd You Make it Through?

This was the last week in the Beatitudes, and it was executed well by Pastor Ira. The Scripture discussed was Matthew 5:10. Short of the long, good for you if you're getting beat up spiritually and physically because you're doing the right thing--you got some big stuff coming your way! Yippy!!! (you better be feeling that sarcasm because it's thick)

I get it, we're all gonna go through hard times. It's part of life. My question is, do you wanna be the one who survived whatever hardships by "the hair of your chiny-chin-chin?" I don't. The things I'm currently living through can be liken to that of my training for my 1/2 marathon. First of all, it's a journey--something I decided to embark upon because of careful consideration and an education choice or the results of foolishness and poor living. Either way, I am on a path that I must complete. I decided at the beginning of my training that I was going to do my best, push what my body could take, and understand that I couldn't "break" myself before the big day because then all would be lost. My goal on the day of the big run is to finish. That's it. I wanna finish big and strong and under my own power...no huffing -n- puffing, passing out, collapsing across the line...a finish that is evidence of me being in control of myself.

Now, let's look at the ironic parallel to my personal/spiritual life. Each day is a new day of "training"--wake up, do some confession, ask for some wisdom and direction, armor up, breakfast, gym/beach/zoo/aquarium/etc, back home, and finish out the day. Some days are so much easier than others. Then there are days where I am so beat up from the day before that I just skip my basics and wear myself thin. Just like the days my knees hurt, my heart aches. Similar to the days I feel strong because I did my strength training, I feel like my spirit could kick some major devil butt.

As I write this, I'm amazed at the correlation God is showing me--boy can I be blonde at times! I digress. Anyway, Pastor Ira said it bluntly, "It's a matter of how you go through your hard times and persecution." Who cares if you make it to the end if you're dragging yourself, bludgeoned and bloody? What kind of testimony is that to the power that God has in all circumstances? Yeah, there are going to be those days where you'll have to seclude yourself and submerge yourself totally into God's Word and His loving arms; other days will come where your support system will be more crucial than ever to help you fight the bandits and robbers--even still other days where you'll walk tall, singing songs of praise, and shinning with the love of God and the brightness of the Holy Spirit. We're given more than the ability to endure such things with a spirit of grace, compassion, and most importantly, love.

Struggles and persecutions aren't what we seek out. No one wants to get beat up, but God's gonna get good out of it. If Christ went through it, so will we. We're gonna do it knowing that there is a light waiting for us at the end of the tunnel. Knowing that as long as we remain righteous in our walk, humble in our spirit, kind in our words, and loving in our hearts there are riches there for us beyond whatever we could imagine or fathom.

My question to you: how are you making it through?

Waiting Is The Hardest

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the Lord.

Let me paint you a picture-

Construction worker is on location, a site that he has been working at his entire life. The project is supposedly coming along smoothly, but it is very apparent that it is nowhere complete. He gets frustrated at times but steps back on occasion and looks over the parts that are finished. A sense of accomplishment and joy fills his heart. It's these moments that get him through the next daunting task.

Today is no different from yesterday. He woke up, drank some coffee, bowed his head and was out the door. Upon arriving on site, he gets word that upper-upper management is walking the grounds and chatting with employees. He gets himself looking good, ya know-slicks the hair, straightens the beard, pops a mint or two, and washes what will come off his hands, off...and begins to think about what he'll say. Should he mention some minor offenses or tiny complaints? Dare he brag about his talents and abilities and skills? Maybe hint at the fact that he could use a raise? All these thoughts rush back and forth through his mind as he strolls toward his station.

It's not long after he begins his daily task he finds himself needing help. Somehow he has contorted into a highly uncomfortable position, bearing an awfully heavy load. Fearful of the mockery or discipline that may befall him, he resists the urge to cry out for help. Moans and groans and pleas quietly slip out of his mouth as he tries to undo the mess he's gotten himself into. What seems like an eternity passes and soon...he hears footsteps.

"I heard someone asking for help," are the first words the construction worker hears.

"Yes, yes, please, I need some help," he manages to utter.

"Don't be alarmed, but I am going to wedge myself down here with you to help carry this weight," and whomever spoke, did just as he said he would. "And, it's gonna be okay, my partners are headed this way."

Almost instantaneously, another has arrived and is singing songs, soothing the construction worker. It seems as though he's there to help the construction worker remain in a place where he has peace in his mind, comfort in his heart that help is there, and the assurance that these two will not leave him. Even though he's still uncomfortable, things are bearable. Before he knows it, he's singing along with the second voice and enjoying himself. It's then that the second remarks, "Hang in there. It's tough, that's understood, but you're just waiting on our last partner to get things to finish up the job. There are some crucial pieces that weren't given to you but we've got them. Just give him a moment and he'll be here."

Before he realizes it, the worker has gone through a range of emotions, all feeding off his impatience. He's mad that he wasn't given what he needed. He feels foolish that he couldn't see what he hadn't been given. He's frustrated that the two with him are just as content as could be waiting on the third. He begins to fight his load and tries to get out from underneath it. This goes on and on and on, but he soon tires and stops.

As he begins to converse with the two with him and get to know them like they wanted to know him, he relaxes and falls into a place of contentment as well. It is then, that he hears the footsteps of the third partner. Equipment begins to run, tools are making noise, there are grunts released in expression of hard work but not a single word is spoken to the worker. It's soon that he figures out...he is in the presence of upper-upper management. "Uh-oh" is the only thought rushing through his brain now.

It's not long before the worker is freed from his "mess." It isn't long before he sees the projected completed and the great things his immediate boss had in store for him the whole time. It isn't long before he realizes he had the support of upper-upper management from his first day of work on this project. And it wasn't long before he knew he had never been alone...all he had to was ask, refocus, and wait.

Whose Life Do You Belong In?

This week has been so amazing. First, thank God for the awesome weather we've been having--great start to the spring season. Secondly, I love rekindling friendships that fizzled out for a short while. Sometimes life gets going and we lose track of people. I don't know how it happens, but there are times when we reach the point where we wonder if things can ever get back to where they once were. It takes nothing more than picking up the phone and initiating contact. Once done, you learn that the time apart was just what the doctor ordered so that both of you could grow and wake up. These friends are the ones we look back on and wonder where the time went...leading to building fond memories on the beach on days like today.

Then there is the deepening of relationships that are still "new." A few months ago I was blessed with a group of women, who don't even know the half of their impact, who love me unconditionally and are such a joy to be with! Each one, in their own way, causes me to challenge myself and grow in my relationship with Christ. Three show me how to worship in song and dance, two by having pure hearts, two in living righteous lives, and one by being a prayer warrior. What women of grace!

Then there are those new developments. Each one bringing something to the table and not sucking you dry. And I think that's the key when you start praying for friends. It's not so much what they can do for you, but what it is you can do for them. This goes beyond being a servant; it goes to the heart of being a fellow brother/sister in Christ. What do you do for the spiritually? Do you pray, weep, mentor, celebrate, etc? Because when you get to that point, the point where it's them, not you, you get some of the best people in your life. You get the people who love you for you and want you to become the best "you" you can. It's when you let go of the others, no longer of God, that He can put the ones He wants in your life.

Blessed Are the Peacemakers...

Not only being fantastic because it was my birthday, but yesterday was an awesome day at Atlantic Shores. Our worship team and choir were on point in leading songs focused on the name of Jesus and all it includes. I, as usual, was moved to tears thanks to the stirring of the Holy Spirit. What can I say, some people dance, some lift their hands...I cry. The music was perfect as it lead to Pastor Kyle's opening "Yahweh Shalom," one of the holy names for God. God is peace.

He then went on to discuss the 4 Characteristics of a Peacemaker (Matt 5:9):

1. has made peace with God
2. lead others to make peace with God
3. help others make peace with others
4. endeavor to find a point of agreement with other people

Seems simple enough, and it should be. The fourth characteristic is one that I am going to be working diligently on. As Pastor Kyle spoke, I got to thinking that I don't ever really put in the effort to cultivate a relationship that the "common ground/interest" isn't overly apparent. I probably won't argue/communicate/interact with you, but I'm not going out of my way to seek a territory where we can unite. That is unacceptable as a follower of Christ and one aspect of my walk that I will be striving to change. There is always a point of agreement and a common ground. Jesus was relational--not superficial. I will become like Christ...it will merely be a continual work in progress.

The other huge point that Pastor drove home was that righteousness and peace are always hand in hand; can't have the true version without its counterpart present. In other words, can't have one without the other (James 3:17 & Ps 85:10).

Smoke-no-mo Update

One month complete! And I'm stoked! Thanks for the prayers and thoughts and encouragement and love and...you get the picture!!! WOOOO HOOOO

Little One

Things seem a little rocky in the life of the little one today. She sat in my lap and cried for me to go "get Daddy." I'm guessing seeing the children from church with their dads might be triggering something in her little heart and mind. Whatever it is, it's not something I can stop. It's one of those things that only God can comfort. All I can do is rock her and pray...pray...pray. This is the first time in a long time that my heart aches and hurts to this severity for her little heart; and being her mom, I can't fix this hurt and it's killing me. Just trying to keep her focused on the picnic dinner on the beach is going to be a daunting task today. Needless to say, I'm gonna need prayer. Lots of it. Today reminds me of why I posted that PostSecret last month...we're gonna be ok.

Third Day

Yesterday I found That everything I knew was wrong

It was upside down The life I thought I had was gone

But You came and whispered love to me

And You gave me strength to carry on

Oh, the sun is shining

Oh, a new day's dawning

The sun is shining

Yesterday I lost Everything I had and loved

Then I cried out for You, Lord

And You came and picked me up

And the sorrow lasted through the night

But the joy came with the morn

Oh, the sun is shining

There is hope for me again

Oh, a new day's dawning

The sun is shining

I will lift my voice

No, I won't be silent

For You heard my cry

And You turned my mourning into dancing

And so forever I'll sing

Oh, the sun shining

There is hope for me again

Oh, a new day's dawning

Yeah the sun is shining

The sun is shining down...

Saint Patrick's Day & Kevin Mac

Oh joy did I do my ancestors right...I celebrated St. Patty's Day at a Mexican restaurant listening to some awesome live country music. And who better to spend the day with? None other than Miss Cantrell. That's not the point of this post. A few weeks ago I asked y'all to send me some new music to listen to (you, all of you, dropped the ball on that) and I included who I was currently listening to. I mentioned in passing that I had been introduced to a new artist Kevin Mac who I appreciated. My previous comments did not do this gentleman justice by a long shot. Even given the small venue, his charisma and true joy for his art shined with every strum of the guitar.

It was amazing how well he and his partners-in-crime worked together and fed off each others' energies.  Each song they did was done with such passion and ownership that it made you want them to go on...and on...and on. He was responsive to the crowd and got them on their feet, moving...even if caused some of us to chuckle. Kevin also took the time to mingle with the crowd and invest some of himself. Simple things like that make others want to invest in the artist as well.

It's clear he's got the skills and the drive. Kevin opened for Kenny Chesney and learned from numerous other names in the country business. I am extremely excited to see his career blossom and be taken where the Lord takes it...oh yeah, he's a believer.

Kevin Mac will be playing at Guadalajara on General Booth on Wednesdays (9-11pm) March 24 and 31 and hopefully into the month of April (check out his links to find other venues he will be gracing with his talent). I will keep you posted and highly recommend you take the time to check this guy out. He's just that good.

Childhood

She is one of those friends who you know your entire life and don't realize how much you've gone through together until you sit back and think. It dawns on you that during her first two tours you were too young to understand and appreciate what she was doing. It terrifies me now, more than ever, that she is doing a third. I want to go to her wedding, meet her children, and grow old with her in my life. I will be praying harder than ever in ways that only come with age. I know that with God on her side, and mine too, she'll make it home safely. She'll make it back to those who love and cherish her.

Curiouser and curiouser

I loved it even though it was dark at times. I was able to overlook that with the humor, the colors, the beauty of "Wonderland", and the whimsical path it takes you down. It was a great movie to check out with my friends and to share a few good deep-belly laughs!

I Realize...

that it's been a fairly long time since I updated about the career aspect of my life. I'm still without a career. Job. Employment. You get the idea. Not that I am not occupied with the little one or with church things, but I have no paid job. I'm currently at the point where my flesh and worldly thoughts are battling with that of my Scriptural beliefs and faith in Christ. It's so easy to go and fill out applications or submit my resume, both of which I would assume would yield a job. A job though is not what I want/need--that would be a career. My flesh keeps telling me to take it into my own hands, that God is taking too long to respond, that God has gotten me as far as He is willing to take me, etc. Even with all these thoughts zipping through my head, my heart knows better. Had I not soaked my brain with Scripture, I would be out doing things my own way. Not God's way. And granted I might be able to make a living, I wouldn't be living. God has such amazing things in store for me that I would hate to miss out on what blessings could be mine!

Matthew 7:7-11
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Jeremiah 29:11-13
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Romans 12:2

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

And this list could go on and on, but those are just a few that I meditate on.

Fish? What Fish?

Lately in my quiet time I've been asking the Lord to direct me to Scripture that He wants me to read. In doing this, I stumbled across Jonah. Most of you are thinking, "Really, Jonah? Man runs from God, gets eaten, repents, obeys, and gets grumpy. Really?" Yep, that's the short of the long. And by long, I mean 4 chapters. Even still, it got me thinking...what has God told me to do that I have run from? Because of my running (oh the irony), what is my "fish?" I began to pray and pray and pray and ask God to show me any areas of my life where I was running and unaware to it. Furthermore, because of that running I asked Him to begin to deliver me from my "fish."

{insert dramatic music here}

I realized that I was skipping a step. I asked God to show me my running and to deliver me but I forgot I had to repent. Here is Jonah's (chapter 2) prayer:

Jonah's Prayer

1 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.

2 He said: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry.
3 You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me.
4 I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’
5 The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head.
6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God.
7 “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.
8 “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.
9 But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord.”


10 And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Just by reading Jonah's words you get a clear picture of how sorry his heart was. You can picture him being buried alive, drowned, tied down, suffocated and without any control of what was happening to him. The only thing that was going to deliver him from such circumstances (which are always subject to change) was crying out to the Lord. Being merciful as He is, God gave him his second chance.

{Setting: Nineveh; Enter Jonah)

I laugh at Jonah running around preaching and warning the citizens to repent of their wicked ways. How many of us have been in similar situations (metaphorically, of course). We see individuals who we are compelled to speak to and warn them of consequences that may befall them. We do--they come clean with God--God loves on them and shows them mercy--they go on their way.

We're left standing there going, "HELLO!? I sat in a fish not doing what You told me because I knew when I did, they'd do what they'd did, and because of who You are, what You'd do what you did?! I got punished! Not fair!"

And the same happens with Jonah. He gets so furious, he runs again into the middle of nowhere and tells God to go ahead and end his life. Now, I've never been there, but Jonah was a passionate man...or a big baby...haven't decided yet. What I do know is that the same compassion and mercy and grace and love and kindness...etc...that God had on Jonah when he repented, He showed on those in Nineveh. Jonah has no right to react the way he did.

Do I have any right to get angry with God because He is who He says He is and does what He says He will do? Of course not. And that my friends is a hard pill to swallow.