Category: 2014 Posts

Posted on in 2014 Posts

Serving a God of Change

Thirty beautiful women speaking for God...Christian Communicators Conference, 2014.
Thirty beautiful women speaking for God…Christian Communicators Conference, 2014.

When I speak for Stonecroft, the title of my speech is “Change Happens.”  Throughout my talk, I remember specific changes that God brought into my life at various times, all of which He used to make me who I am today.  Although change is hard, it is also that which keeps us alive and moving forward.

If we were to do the same things, wear the same clothes, eat the same food, and on, and on, life would quickly become monotonous and lack purpose.  Each change in our lives brings its own challenge.  The biggest challenge for the most memorable changes in my life was whether I was going to embrace the change with God or rebel against God and refuse to allow it to change me.

A few weeks ago, I got the call to join 29 other ladies just like me, to attend the Christian Communicators Conference at The Cove in Asheville, North Carolina. (www.ChristianCommunicators.com).  My name had come up on the waiting list at the last minute and I had about a week to think about it before I took off on an eight hour road trip to my next big adventure.

During the week I was there, I was expecting God to pour His Heart out to me and tell me everything He wanted me to do in the days ahead.  Since I was so confident that He would, I even sat in my room one night alone, waiting for His sign.  Oh, and of course, I reminded him that when I got home, life was going to get busy so He’d better talk while I was still!  I waited, and waited, and waited…there was nothing.

So, I thought, “I know He didn’t bring me all this way and remove huge obstacles at the last minute to get me there without a plan.”

About the third day of utter frustration without a single word from God, I got it.  Oh!  This isn’t about me!  This is about God!  I realized at that point, that God has a plan and apparently there is going to be change down the pike for me.  However, I only need to be obedient and follow where He leads at this point.

Have you ever been there when you know a change is about to happen because God is stirring your heart, but you have no idea where He’s taking you?  Have you ever been like Moses and pleaded with the Lord like in Exodus 4:10-12 (NLT)?  But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words.  I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me.  I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”

Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth?  Who decides whether people speak or don’t speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see?  Is it not I, the Lord?  Now go!  I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

Moses went on to plead once more for God to send anyone else but him!  I don’t want to be like Moses.  I want to do everything on this earth God has ordained for me to do.  If I am to write, I will write.  If I am to speak, I will speak…with fear and trembling, but I will speak.  If I am to remain silent, I will…not saying that will be easy though!

I know when God moves me to change, He has my best interest at heart.  He doesn’t want me to be comfortable in my own abilities and plan.  Rather, I think He delights in leading the way to the next new adventure!

Is God speaking to you?  Is it time for a change in your ho-hum routine?  Even the most beautiful pond can quickly turn fowl and scummy when its water becomes stagnant. As I wait for The Lord’s direction as to what comes next, I would ask that you remember my ministry in your prayers.  In turn, if you send me a message or make a comment, I will pray for you, too!  We are all in this together!

As I look out my window and watch the leaves start to fall,

I am thankful for a God that is a God of change.

It is His way.

He wants us to be ever-changing, ever-growing, into the person He wants us to be.

Trust Him.

Posted on in 2014 Posts

Trust The One Who Wants to Rescue You!

baby robins 001You probably think all I do is sit around with my camera, waiting for a bird to come by.  Actually, the photos I get usually happen in an instant and the opportunity leaves as quickly as it came.  I typically just leave my camera out so that I can grab and shoot when something catches my attention.  It helps that we have a lot of windows, too.

Tonight, I looked out the window and saw a little baby robin in the flower bed.  You can tell she is young by her coloring and spotted chest.  She was pecking at the ground looking for some food when a tiny little chickadee decided to join her in the garden.  The minute that the robin noticed she was not alone, she squatted down, cowering and shaking so much I could actually see it through our window.

I thought it was cute because I knew she was cowering from the tiny bird that was hopping around near her. If she only knew that the other bird was less than half her size, she may have felt some relief.  However, she couldn’t see her total circumstances, so remained still other than trembling from fear.

All of a sudden, her dad flew up on the roof near the spot where she laid cowering.  He looked around and then you could tell, he spotted his little one and the “threat” that she was feeling.  With one fell swoop, he dove off the roof and towards the little chickadee, scaring it and making it fly away.

When he had gotten rid of the other bird, he hopped over to check on his youngster.   The two looked at each other for a moment then he leaned in and either slipped it a worm or a kiss.  I’m not sure.  LOL.  And then just as quickly as he came, he jumped up and flew off like something out of a Superman movie, leaving the baby bird feeling secure and protected once again.

We all have life situations when we find ourselves cowering in the corner, afraid to face the danger that lurks around us.  The funny thing about the situation was that the little chickadee could not have hurt the robin more than twice its size even if it wanted to do harm.  As I stood watching the scenario all play out, I was reminded that this must be how God sees our world.  As He stands and watches us tremble with fear of little things that we can’t see or can’t actually hurt us, I wonder if He says, “Here we go again,” as He swoops down to save us from ourselves.

I love knowing that I have a heavenly Father that watches over me, don’t you?  It’s a reminder to me that I never have to be afraid.  He is always there and will watch over me in every situation.  What’s got you cowering this week?  It’s OK, give it to God.  He won’t laugh at you or be mad; rather, He wants to be your “Super Hero” and get the glory for rescuing you from whatever you might encounter.  Even when we only sense danger, He sees the big picture and tells us in Jeremiah 1:8, “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you”.  Then again in Isaiah 41:10, it says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you…”  Why not hand over your fears right now to the One Who sees the big picture and wants to rescue you?

Posted on in 2014 Posts

Give Me An Unstoppable Faith Like Jesus…

baby robin 005I smile when I have been working on a blog for a while in my head and then my pastor delivers a sermon that completes my thought.  It happens more often than you would think.  I am currently studying the book of James with a group of women from our church.  If you know anything about James, it is a book that tells it like it is.  When you get done studying James, you have no excuse for not having faith and trusting God in every situation.  That being said, I have been thinking about my faith lately and questioning how I can grow and believe with an unstoppable faith.

When I spoke at a retreat recently, I asked a question to the audience.  I said, “If you truly believed God was always going to do something good through your suffering, would you finally be able to say, ‘Lord, here I am, use me.’”  I don’t know about anyone attending, but personally, that question has been ringing in my head ever since.  I often wonder how many times I have missed out on a blessing because I have not had the faith to believe God would get me through the situation He was asking me to endure.

robins 074This summer we have had a robin’s nest right outside the kitchen window.  I think it is the same bird that has laid two sets of eggs.  We watched the first three grow up until they were literally hanging over the edges.  Since then, we have enjoyed watching them learn to fly and explore their new world to the point of total exhaustion where they can’t move if they tried.

This last group of babies has been different from the first ones, though.  There were three to begin with and now there is one.  I think that two of the three are already out of the nest because I am seeing them around the yard.  For some reason, this one particular bird is still there.  My imagination runs wild wondering why.  Is it just a lazy bird and as long as mom and dad bring the worms, it’s decided this is the life?  Maybe it has a disability that I can’t see…a broken wing or something that prevents it from leaving.  Perhaps it lives in fear of a world outside its nest and is frozen with anxiety, unable to make a leap.  Whatever the reason, the parents continue to nourish it and watch after it with high hopes of it flying on its own someday.  robins 076

Since the retreat, I have been thinking, “What is it that God wants me to do that I haven’t already done?”  Is He speaking to me and I am not hearing or has He simply not called me yet to my next adventure?  Did you ever feel like there is something else you should be doing but you can’t put a finger on what it is?  Perhaps you think you know what it is but you have no idea how to get there or make it happen?  Is it fear or circumstances holding you back?  Do you have faith enough to trust God to show the way?

This morning, our pastor delivered a message in Mark 9 using verses 23-24.  They say, “ Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”  Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

baby robin 005I think there is a little piece of that father who wants to believe but wavers and the baby robin in each one of us that wants to stay in the nest.  It’s safe there and someone will take care of us if we do.  Of course, we all want to believe that no matter where God leads us, He’s going to see us through.  However, it’s that old human condition that stifles us and keeps us from believing.  We might all need to say those words at some point in our lives…”Lord I believe; help my unbelief!”

057Just like the baby bird’s parents; God will continue to watch over us while we muster the courage to trust and follow His lead.  However, we are all going to look pretty silly sitting in a nest that is too small for us waiting for the next worm to arrive when we could be doing it ourselves.  For when we take that leap of faith and look to the sky, we will find ourselves flying to heights only the heavens have seen.

GrafittiThere is some graffiti on an overpass on my way to work that I see daily that says, “Can’t be stopped.”  I know the artist probably didn’t mean it for this purpose, but God speaks to me through that message every time I drive past.  I find myself praying, Lord, give me the courage to believe with a faith that is unshakable to know You have got my back.  Help my unbelief and allow me to soar through life with You as my guide.  Give me the courage to do the things You’re calling me to do without fear.  Give me a “can’t be stopped attitude” for Your work I need to do here on this earth!

Is God speaking to you?  What are your fears?  What are your hindrances?  May He give You direction and purpose with a faith like Jesus in the days ahead.  Jesus was willing to do whatever He needed to do to save us from our sins.  He had the kind of faith that never doubted His Father’s promise that He would someday be reunited in heaven with His Father. He didn’t allow his circumstances to discourage Him.  I want that kind of faith…don’t you?  So what are we waiting for? Let’s fly!