I don’t know a lot about football, but I do know who Tim Tebow is. When I think of Tim Tebow, I think Christian. I may not know him personally, but everything I have seen from him indicates to me that he is a Christian and wants everyone to know it. In fact, I watched football last year just to observe how he acted in a game and to see the verses in his black paint for myself. The following article talks about the new Tim Tebow shoes that will be coming out from Nike.

Tim Tebow Article

One heel of the shoe will have the word “promise” after the speech he gave following a game loss. In the speech, he promised that they would never see anyone work harder than he would the rest of the season.  He took a setback and turned it into a stepping stone.  I noticed there was controversy online as to whether or not the Tebow speech should have been immortalized on the stadium wall as it was.  I believe the reason it caught the attention of people is simply the positive reaction he had to a negative.  As Christians, people are always watching to see how we handle disappointments and setbacks. They are watching to see if we act like everyone else when that time comes.  Do we display negative emotion or do we display grace?  Tim Tebow displayed grace and determination.  (You can read the speech by googling “Tim Tebow promise speech”)

What about you?  When people think of you, do they think Christian?  Do your actions show everyone that you truly are a Christian? How do you react to setbacks?  Do you act like the world or do you strive to act like Jesus would?

Sometimes, life is all about perception. How do you see things?  How do others see you?  If Nike contacted you to make a shoe for you, what would they write on it?  It’s something to think about.

Sixteen years ago today, I married my best friend.  It was a morning wedding—10 a.m to be exact.  I walked down the aisle as the soloist sang, “Let Me Call You Sweetheart“.    We took communion as “Holy Ground“  was being sung, and a friend was doing interpretative sign language.  John and I shared with one another, in own words, what that day meant to us.  After he had “kissed his bride”, John attempted to put the wedding veil back down over my face, which generated some laughter from the congregants.  We exited out as the flutist played.  For the reception, we had brunch food such as sausage/biscuits, fruit salad and donut holes, since after all, it was a morning wedding.  The wedding cake was a 3-tiered cheesecake, being as cheesecake is my favorite dessert.  The groom’s cake was chocolate (I love chocolate), and on top, it had a ceramic frog holding a fishing pole, for John who likes to fish.  We drove up to northern Indiana to Amish country for our honeymoon, and stayed at a couple of bed & breakfasts there.

I say all that to say this—it was our special day, and we wanted it to be different. We didn’t want to copycat someone else’s wedding day.  Some of the things may not have been traditional, but that is why they were special.  They were ours, and they meant something to us.  I can remember that day as though it were yesterday.  To all those  who are planning upcoming weddings, make it your day.  Make it a day for lasting memories.  After all, it is your day, and all those in the audience are just spectators! 

Happy 16th Anniversary, John ~~~  I love you!   

(P.S.  Now, if I could only fit into my wedding dress again.  Oh, another memory. . .lol)

Over the course of the last year, our church body has been in a building project, preparing a place for the harvest. It was September 7th, 2008, the day I moved to Russell Springs. Just a few years before, I was presented with an opportunity to come earlier, but I didn’t take the chance. Just a few months after I arrived in 2008, our pastor cast the vision of a new facility, and we launched into this building project. After the announcement was made, I walked out into the parking lot, and I asked the Lord, “Of all the times I could have moved here, why now?” The Holy Spirit answered, “It’s a building season.”

Now, being here for almost two years, I can honestly say it has indeed been the most significant building season of my life. I have not ever experienced this much spiritual growth in such a short time span. However, this spiritual building season has, without a shadow of a doubt, been the most difficult, painful, and even loneliest season of my life. It has seemed all my plans and hopes I had for my future vanished right before my eyes. Everything I had worked for—desired—all faded away. If that’s not an empty feeling, I don’t know what is. I began to look at my life and would feel worthless—like a true failure. Depression and loneliness would be the python that would slowly slither its way around me, squeezing the breath and life out of me, stealing my joy. I would even question God, “I’ve tried to make all the right decisions, to get closer to you, but why does it feel like I made all the wrong decisions?” I felt so defeated, I would even question my move here. But, as I called, the Holy Spirit answered, “You’re still here, and I’m still with you!”

 I would once again remember that this is a building season and would ponder on the building project. I realized that it has taken a long time for that building to go up. It has taken hard work—blood, sweat, and tears. It has even been a painful, frustrating process for a lot of people involved. Though it has taken quite a bit of time for that building to go up, soon it will come into completion! Philippians 1:6 states, “Be confident, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it!”

More and more, I’m learning patience. Patience isn’t just the ability to wait. It’s the ability to keep a good attitude while you do it. Some things may have gone wrong in your life and not like you’ve hoped. One thing I have learned from the past is what not to be in the future! So let me remind you.  You are still here, still running the race, and He is still with you. When He is with you, your hope is alive, your dream is alive, and in you, He is alive!

As our new facility is in the final stages of the building process, I believe that we are entering into a new season and a new day! The glory of the latter house will be greater than the glory of the former house. The latter rain of His presence will be greater than the former rain! And, any dry season we have experienced on a personal level, or even a corporate level, is coming to an end! Your best days and blessed days are ahead! It’s a new season, it’s a new day, and it’s coming your way!

I have found something to be very true when dealing with my life. What goes into my eyes and ears will make a home in my heart. A great percentage of Christians (I would have to say high school and college age, especially) struggle with a lot of things spiritually that make them feel bound and oppressed. I believe that the majority of us that struggle with sin and the feeling of being trapped in a prison-type mentality in our minds can be traced back to one major question:  What goes in your eyes and ears?

It is very hard to have “ears to hear” what God is saying when your favorite songs are the newest Lil Wayne, Eminem, and Drake tracks. If you listen to songs about sex, you will probably struggle with lust. If you listen to songs about having the hottest car on 26-inch rims, then you will probably live your whole life setting your sights and heart on treasures in this life; or, songs about depression and heartache, then you will probably feel sad and depressed. It will be hard to have “eyes to see” God if you watch ungodly shows and movies.

These are simple, common sense ideas, but we usually don’t live by them. We ask God to free us from lust, but we don’t walk out of the open prison doors when He does, and then we blame Him for not freeing us. Filling yourself with music and movies that are unlike God will eat you alive spiritually until you are dead and dry and can’t even remember what the presence of God feels like. Plant the things of this world into your heart and watch it produce seeds of bondage to sin, which will grow into rotten fruit.  But, if you will listen to something Godly, set your mind on God, read the word, pray, among other things that lead you to God, then you will live free from yourself and from the bondage of sin. I’m not being religious and saying, if you don’t listen only to Christian music, you are going to hell.  But, I guarantee that, if you don’t fill your mind with Christ, then you will never live in the freedom God intended for you.

This is beyond being saved. This is about living in the fullness of Christ and walking in the spirit. I only know the bondage of these things because I have sowed to them myself and watched my heart go numb and dry up like a garden in the heat of the desert with no rain. If you are struggling to be free from the sin in your heart, but just can’t get free, then evaluate the things that go into you, and you might find the source. Once you find the source, put it down and walk away and never turn back.  Continually guard your heart from sinful thoughts.

^{Matthew 6:22} “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!

^{Galatians 6:7} Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

^{Proverbs 4:23} Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

^{Philippians 4:6} Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

If you don’t know of any Christian artists or don’t know of any good books to fill your mind with, here is a list of a couple of my favorites from different styles of Christian artists:

Misty Edwards – Soul Cry                                                

 Lecrae – Desperate

Skillet – Thirst Is Taking Over

Jason Upton – I\’m In Control

Books:     

Oswald Chambers – My Utmost For His Highest

Dietrich Bonhoeffer – Cost Of Discipleship

It’s been quite some time since I’ve posted anything on the website.  I don’t even know if anyone reads these or will read this.  But, if anyone does see this, I hope it encourages you and/or helps you with anything you are struggling with in your life.

Over the past couple of months, I have just given up.  Given up on God, myself, and the idea that I can do anything.  But, tonight all that changed.  I decided to stop giving up.  God made me for a reason—to do something with my life.  If I just give up and die, what good am I doing?  I’m not benefiting anything or anyone. I’ve told myself, “Fight for this.” So, here I am, with God’s help, I am going to fight for myself, for my sanity, my desire for God, my purity, my pursuit, my family, my life, my youth group, my friends…  I’m sick of being tired, so sick and tired—tired of feeling defeated with everything I do.  So, I’m beginning to try and not do anything on my own, but try and do it through God, because with Him, anything is possible.

So, I guess what I’m trying to say is, don’t settle for being defeated.  That is exactly what Satan wants, because once we are defeated, we are useless bodies in the Kingdom.  But, if we decide to be conquerors through Christ Jesus, only then we can truly be effective in making a difference in this world around us.

It never seems to fail that, if I have an especially excellent time in the Lord, the next day I will personally fail in some way. Now, I am not sure why this is for certain. I have several theories. Is it simply because Satan doesn’t want me to remain in a place of such joy? Is it because in that moment I raise my standards to what is Godly and fail to meet them the next day? Is it because the high just simply comes to a crash when it meets up with the world in which we live?

Even after a long term mission trip, your leader will tell you that the day you return home, everything that can go wrong will go wrong. Everything that could put you in a bad mood on that day will do so. It’s true—I have seen it happen. It happens after short term mission trips too.  Knowing this, you would think I would be prepared by now. You would think I would strive to continually walk in the spirit in such a way that I don’t let the world get to me after such great experiences. Let’s just say, I still strive to do so. At least, I can recognize it.

After such a wonderful experience Thursday night in Hillside, my day began terribly at my work. It was one thing after another, even what I felt was a personal attack on one level, and it began as soon as I arrived. I would say I was 3/4 of the way through my day before I approached another Christian and said I should have known better than to let these things get to me. I should have expected it after such a great night the day before. And this person, who also had a wonderful service the day before, was in the same boat. We both agreed that we have to not let these things bother us. We have to focus on God, what is good, and what is important. It’s nice to have Christians you can approach in your workplace.  In spite of that confession, I still admit it took me until later that night when I could be alone with God to find a place of true repentance, peace, and desire to move on. There is nothing like being with God to convince you that what you think is “bad” is really nonsense.

So, today I am admitting to you that I am human, and, I, too, struggle with the ups and downs at times. On those days, I am especially unhappy with myself because I expect more of myself. Yet, between the bad days, there are some wonderful days. It is those times in between, one built upon another, that keep my faith going.  They let me know so much  more is possible, and that gives me the desire to try and try again. Last night, I heard a song by Francesca Battistelli entitled, “Time In Between” about Jesus’ life and the time in between. When you look at it this way, I am so grateful for the times in between.

You were there when your Father said
Let there be light
You obeyed when He whispered
Son, You have to leave tonight
To spend nine months in a mother’s womb
Three days in a borrowed tomb

(Chorus One)
But it’s the time in between
That brings me to my knees
Knowing you came for me
And all that I can’t be
I’m amazed, so amazed
And I thank You for the time in between

Don’t take much for this crazy world
To rob me of my peace
And the enemy of my soul
Says You’re holding out on me
So I stand here lifting empty hands
For you to fill me up again

(Chorus Two)
But it’s the time in between
That I fall down to my knees
Waiting on what You’ll bring
And the things that I can’t see
I know my song’s incomplete
Still I’ll sing in the time in between

So many ways
Your love has saved the day
And I’m grateful for them all

(Chorus 3)
But it’s the time in between
The middle of two thieves
That says everything
It’s the reason I believe
I’m amazed, so amazed
And I thank you for the time in between
Oh Lord, I thank you for the time in between

It was over 20 yrs. ago when I saw this picture for the first time.  A funeral director friend of mine had invited my sister and me to go to Shakertown with him and his wife to eat.  After we got there, he asked, “Do you want to see my pride and joy?” as he reached into his coat pocket.  I figured he was talking about his grandchildren, but then he pulled out this photo.  He always had a great sense of humor, and I found this amusing. 

We often hear people use the phrase, “pride and joy” when referring to their children or grandchildren.  As parents or grandparents, they are quite proud of their loved ones, and they are filled with joy.  In Luke 18, we read this passage:

 People brought babies to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. When the disciples saw it, they shooed them off. Jesus called them back. “Let these children alone. Don’t get between them and me. These children are the kingdom’s pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.”    (vs. 15-17, The Message)

You may have never felt you were anyone’s “pride and joy”.  Your parents may have treated you as though you were “shame and misery”.  But, rest assured, your Heavenly Father loves you—He’s proud of you, and you fill His heart with joy!!

Here is yet another example of teens making a difference now!  This is a project that was started by a group of teenagers who wanted to help others! You don’t have to wait until you are are older or for an adult to start it for you. You can make the choice to do something positive in your life today, at your current age. Check out the project detailed in the article below:

Anonymous Encouragers is a Christian ministry designed to encourage individuals and communities. By writing simple cards to people found in phonebooks, anonymous encouragers spread God’s love and faithfulness. Anonymous encouragers do not write these letters to receive personal recognition, but to serve others selflessly for God’s glory.

The process of becoming an anonymous encourager is easy. Simply pick up your phonebook and choose a name and address. Your letter to this person may include a Bible verse and/or a few heartfelt words. By signing anonymously, you will ensure your security and privacy.

Five Easy Steps:

1.  Choose a name and address in your city’s phonebook.
2.  Write a letter in your own handwriting.  (A handwritten letter will let the receiver know that a real person wrote to them, not a computer-generated scam.)
3.  Sign your letter “A.E.” for Anonymous Encourager.
4. Address the envelope, making sure to leave out your return address.  (Leaving out your name and return address not only ensures your security, but also guarantees no personal recognition for this act of kindness.)
5. Mail your letter.

If one anonymous encourager would set a goal to write one person every week,  52 people would be encouraged in the span of one year.  If one anonymous encourager invites four friends to join the effort, 260 people will be reached each year.

While listening to K-love the other day on the radio, I heard an interview being done with Kayla Martell, recently crowned Miss Delaware.  Her story is quite inspirational since she is bald due to alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that attacks hair follicles.  Read a portion of her story on the following link: 

 http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20009291-10391704.html

Once Kayla lost her hair, she could have easily given up and aborted her dream of winning a beauty pageant.  During the interview with K-love, she attributed her determination to her faith in God and her family.  Her family encouraged her to continue entering the pageants, even though she wasn’t bringing home the crown.  They knew she was beautiful with or without hair.  And, Kayla knew God had made her beautiful. 

What could have been a disability for Kayla has turned out to be a thrusting point in her life’s ventures.  She is now able to use her position as Miss Delaware to raise awareness of the disease.  She could have become bitter and angry with God.  But, instead, she chose to focus on the positive instead of the negative.  She made a decision after being inspired by a five-year old girl to pursue her dream instead of giving up. 

Is there something going on in your life that you don’t particularly like?  Do you feel you have some physical handicap that makes you “unlovely”?  In God’s eyes, all things are beautiful.  He created you, and He can still use you even when you think He can’t.  God can give you the willpower to go on even when you want to give up.  And, just like Kayla, there may be a child who is looking to you for inspiration.  They’re not focusing on your flaws—they’re seeing the beauty within!

I just wanted to share part of a dream I had back in November of 2008. There were many different things that happened in it, but in the end of it, I was martyred for following Christ.  After being martyred, I found myself in this huge, round swimming pool. I knew that I was dead as far as the Earth was concerned, but I was clinging onto the sides of the pool for a couple different reasons.  One, I can’t swim and the pool seemed bottomless. The second reason is I could feel this intense heat at my feet.  It was almost burning me it was so hot, and I didn’t know what it was.  But a few months earlier, I had a dream where I fell into Hell, and somehow in this present dream, I could recall the memory of having that dream and wasn’t going to dare find out if that’s what was at the bottom of the pool.  So, I just hung onto the sides for quite a while, and I could see all the things going on in the Earth from a distance.  I was kind of afraid as to what this heat was under my feet, what would happen if I fell into this bottomless pool, and what I was doing there, when all of a sudden, I heard the audible voice of God say, “You thought that the heat was Hell, but it’s my burning passionate desire for my people.”

This was a relief to me, and I decided to trust Him.  I just let go as I sank further and further and further, then I just woke up. I found this dream to be comforting to me because God was telling me He has a burning passionate desire for me. It was like a bottomless pool of never ending love.  God is a burning fire, and His desire is for you.  So, the next time you feel all alone and like He has forgotten you, remember the phrase He spoke, “You thought that the heat was Hell, but it’s my burning passionate desire for my people” .  Realize that the heat symbolizing His love and desire for you was so intensely hot that I couldn’t even begin to describe it.  Always remember His love.  Remember His desire.  Remember it is for You!