Are Your Prayers Curling God's Nose Hairs?

On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your prayer life? Ten, obviously being best.

Some women keep prayer journals and track God’s answered prayers.

Some women have prayer closets where they post Scripture and names of those for whom they pray.

Do you ever tell someone, “I’ll be praying for your?”

On Facebook, have you ever written, “Praying” or put the little praying hands?

        The follow-up to those questions is, did you do it?

        Did you REALLY pray?

        Did you mean what you said in your prayer or was it the standard recited prayer?

        “God, please be with ________.” (That’s real heart felt, isn’t it?)

How high did your prayer get?

Did it even get passed your lips?

Did it rise above your ceiling?

IF YOU AREN’T GOING TO DO IT, THEN DON’T SAY IT! What a hypocrite. Yep, I said it. I’m calling you out if this is you, and do you know why I can call you out? Because I’ve done every single one of those things. Every. Single. One.

 I’ve told someone I was praying for them, and it wasn’t the truth.

I’ve written “praying” on a Facebook post and then didn’t.

I’m being transparent here. I know I’m not the only one who has done this either.

But I stopped that nonsense. What was the point of saying or writing that anyway? It’s the right thing to say? Well, if it’s the right thing to say, it’s the right thing to do. DO. IT.

I had a friend text requesting prayer. I was in a business meeting and then on a conference call. She got upset because I didn’t text her back immediately saying I was praying. I asked her if she wanted a truth or a lie. Truth is, I did pray after my meetings were over, and that is when I texted her back. Don’t write it or say it unless you’ve already covered that person in prayer. Just don’t.

I know I’m on a soapbox here, but I wonder just how many people who say they are praying actually do. Instead of writing on a post, “Praying,” why not write a prayer – just a couple of sentences.

If someone is asking for prayer, stop right there, place your hand on them and pray over them. That would mean so much more than hearing someone in their best church voice telling them, “We’ll be praying for you” and then never doing it. Don’t waste your hot air.

Most everyone has heard James 5:16, Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 

You aren’t a righteous person just by saying you’re going to pray. You’re a hypocrite, and ain’t nobody got time for that.

Your “prayers” are powerless and ineffective because they are never said.

Prayer is a gift God has given us as a way to talk to our Abba Father about anything and everything, and to take it lightly, to ignore it, to lack commitment in talking to Him is deplorable.

Psalm 141:2 May my prayer be set before You as incense, the raising of my hands as the evening offering. – Are your prayers an incense to God? Is it a pleasing aroma to God?

Our prayers are so important to God, He collects them. Did you know that? He collects and keeps your prayers, almost as if they were your love letter to Him. Revelations 4:8…Each one had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

WOW! This is so convicting to me. Are my prayers as incense pleasing to my Abba?

Our Abba Father loves us so much and is proud to have us as His children He puts us on display. 2 Corinthians 2:14, “But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display in Christ and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” Our prayers are an incense. Our lives are an aroma. I know there have been times in my life that my incense and my aroma would have curled God’s nose hairs if He had any because I was rank.

What is your life aroma? What is the incense of your prayers? You are precious and loved by our Father. Are you loving Him back? Are you praying and talking to Him? Do you reflect and show others you are daughter of the One True King? It’s time to get real, to get honest, and to get straight with God. Get after it.

http://biblehub.com/

Identify the Difficulty/Problem

We have a good Father, don’t we? I love the song, “You’re a good, good Father. It’s who You are. It’s who You are, and I’m loved by You. It’s who I am. It’s who I am.”

Luke 11:13 says, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

I’m reading in Genesis the story of Isaac. God blessed Isaac like He had blessed Abraham, his father.

In Genesis 26, God has blessed Isaac to the point the king asked him to move on because he had become much too powerful. Isaac sowed seed and reaped 100 times what he sowed. That, for the record, is amazing. God blessed Isaac with flocks, herds and slaves, and his neighbors the Philistines were jealous.

Sometimes when God pours His blessings on us, those around us can become jealous. It happens. We live in a sinful, fallen world. They don’t see what has gone on behind closed doors. They haven’t seen the tears that have been shed or hear the prayers prayed from inside your prayer closet. All they see is how you’ve been blessed.

So how do you handle their jealousy? Jealousy inevitably brings conflict. In Genesis 26, Isaac was opening wells his father had dug, and the Philistines were filling them with dirt. Isaac could have gotten mad, but instead he dug new wells.

Wells were and are a source of life-giving water. When Isaac opened new wells, the Philistines quarreled with him saying the water was theirs. The first time, Isaac named the well Quarrel. The second time, Isaac named the well Hostility.

Isaac identified the root cause. The Philistines wanted to take away the life-giving source in hopes of deterring and hurting Isaac. They wanted to snuff out the thing which could benefit Isaac most.

On the third try Isaac had a well dug, the Philistines backed off. Isaac named the well Open Spaces. Isaac named it Open Spaces “because the Lord has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land.” It reminds me of Psalm 18:19, “He brought me out to a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.”

Isaac could have easily gone to the king and told him the wells belonged to him because they had been his father’s, but he didn’t. He didn’t offer a defense. Why? Because He knew God would provide.

What if God had allowed the Philistines to close those wells and claim those wells because He didn’t want Isaac at that location? What if God was causing Isaac to move on as a form of protection? Was God protecting Isaac from something harmful? Was God moving Isaac to bless him more?

Too often in today’s society when people are blessed, they clutch so tightly to the things of this world, to the blessings they didn’t work to attain that they lose sight of what is important.

What are you holding onto? What do you clutch tightly to your chest as if protecting it with your life? Career. Car. Clothes. Home. Let’s go a little deeper. Spouse. Son. Daughter. Family members. Your reputation. Your position – in the community, in your church, in your home.

When things come up and try to take those things, those people away from you, do you fight like the dickens to keep them? Don’t get me wrong. There are times when we are to fight, but do you know what times that you aren’t to fight? Do you recognize God’s hand? Do you acknowledge you don’t fight against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12)?

Is what you’re fighting for a kingdom matter? Is it someone’s soul? Is it someone’s future in eternity you are fighting for, or are you fighting for control and power?

Identify what the problem is. Name it. Quarrel. Hostility.

Look for God’s guidance. Identify it. Name it. Open Spaces. 

Life is too short to be fighting for something God doesn’t intend on your having in the first place.

Life is too short to be fighting for something you didn’t work to attain.

Life is too short to fight for the things you did work to attain.

You fight when God leads you to fight. Otherwise, you seek God and follow Him and let go of all the nonsense. Sometimes we make life harder than it has to be.

http://blueletterbible.org/

How Many of Us Would Miss the Boat?

I don’t know about you, but my children want to “discuss” everything even when something is not up for discussion. I’m paying for my raising, as my momma would say. I was born with an opinion as was my son. I was born with a lot of words to say as was my daughter. Put those things together, and I want to discuss everything especially if I don’t agree with it. Am I alone here? You probably have more self-restraint than me.

As I’m reading through Noah’s story in Genesis there is a verse which caught my attention. Genesis 7:5, “And Noah did everything that the Lord commanded him.” This was after Noah had built the ark, gathered the food, collected the animals, and he did EVERYTHING that the Lord commanded.

Noah didn’t say, “God, these animals are going to get sea sick being tossed around in this ark. Are you sure this is the best way? It’s really going to smell in that ark.”

Noah didn’t say, “God, you realize you want me to load prey and predators together in the same boat? Should we maybe have two boats?”

Noah didn’t say, “God, I have three sons. Could we have three arks, so each one could captain their own ship?”

Noah didn’t express his opinion or his thoughts. He obeyed. Plain. Simple.

How many of us would have missed the ark because we would feel the need to voice our opinion, work our own agenda or ask questions about logistics?

How many of us, when we are told or led by God to do or say something, have to ask for clarification if this is really what God wants us to do?

Noah did EVERYTHING that the Lord commanded. Half obedience is full disobedience. Might want to read that again. Half obedience (obeying in part) is full disobedience. (OUCH! That stung, didn’t it?) Noah obeyed in full.

Do you know how Noah could obey in full? Noah talked to God regularly. Noah’s faith in God was greater than his need for control, his need for information, his need to be heard. (Read that one again. Boy, this is walking all over my toes? How about yours?)

God looks for those who are willing to fully obey. 2 Chronicles 16:9 a&b, For the eyes of Yahweh roam throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His. You have been foolish in this matter… Noah’s heart was completely God’s. This is how Noah was able to fully trust God.

Noah’s trust and faith in God meant Noah didn’t have all the details of what was going to happen in order to do the next step God directed.

Noah’s trust and faith in God meant Noah didn’t have to worry about the safety of his family and his family’s future because he knew God was in control.

Noah’s trust and faith in God meant Noah’s pride took a backseat and humility took the front seat.

Noah’s trust and faith in God meant Noah knew God’s provisions were enough.

Are you fully trusting in God today?

Are you fully obedient in what God is leading you to do and say?

Are you fully operating in faith that God will carry you through whatever storm you are facing?

OR are you missing the boat? Fortunately for you, God is giving you this moment to repent. He is giving you this moment to submit your pride. He is giving you this moment to exercise your complete faith and trust in Him.

The question is, will you?

http://biblegateway.com/

Sands and Stars Promises

Abram How patient are you? Maybe a better question is, How IMPATIENT are you when waiting on God?

Do you have a need to be in control? For example, a child is going to help you fold the laundry and they don’t quite fold the towels the way you like corner to corner, folding half and half. Do you fix it or leave it be? When you are riding as a passenger in a car, are you the one telling the driver to slow down, turn here, take this route because it’s quicker? Yea, me neither.

Do you ever find yourself “helping” God to get a job done? Yeah, me neither.

God had made a “Sands and Stars” promise to Abram. Your offspring will be more than the dust on the earth (Genesis 13:14) and more numerous than the stars in the sky (Genesis 15:5). For the record, God has named and knows all of the stars’ names (Psalms 147:4). We know by reading Abram’s story in Genesis 13 – 20 Abram is not a spry young man, and Sarai is beyond the normal age of having children.

So how is God going to keep His promise?

Well, by Sarai fixing the problem, of course. She’s going to go into her problem-fixing mode, like many of us do, and she’s going to fix this problem. In Genesis 16:2, SARAI decides to deliver God’s promise through Hagar, her slave. Sarai said, “I can build a family.” WOW! She must be pretty powerful if she can cause cells to divide, multiply and produce a baby.

Nothing good comes from situations where we try to “handle” or “fix” things without God.

Just because we can’t see how in the world God is going to possibly fix the problem does not mean that He can’t or He won’t.

 Our inability to see a viable resolution does not mean God doesn’t hold the answer.

Our limited view and hampered vision does not mean God’s is limited by our imperfections, frailties or faults.

As a result of Sarai “fixing” the problem and “making” God’s promise come true (which she really didn’t), she has a slave who is contemptuous, who runs away, and who makes Sarai feel even worse about her infertility. Then there is the resulting birth of Abram’s first born son Ishmael who fathered the Islamic nation.

When we try to control or fix things without God’s leadership, it not only affects our lives, but the lives of our spouse, children, those around us, and future generations. How does your lack of patience, faith and trust in God affect your life and future?

We know God does keep His “Sands and Stars” vow to Abram through Isaac and without Sarai’s help, but they had to wait on God’s timing some 25 years later.

Doing what God leads us to do is not the same thing as “fixing” anything. That is called obedience, and it is God through us working things out. When we fix things ourselves instead of waiting on God, that is called disobedience, lack of faith, lack of maturity, lack of patience.  It’s not a good place to be.

If God has made a Sands and Stars promise, a life changing promise to you, then you can rest assured He will deliver. He NEVER FAILS.

http://biblegateway.com/

Happy Father's Day to All Our Single-Momma Girlfriends

The hardest job in the world has to be parenting, and it’s even more difficult when there’s just one parent who has to be both mom and dad. Just when you think you’ve got your kid figured out, they enter a new phase, and they up and change. Then let’s add in multiple kids. Each child has his/her own personality, his/her own strengths and weaknesses and require to be loved, talked to, and disciplined differently according to how they receive each of those things. Whew! I’m tired just thinking about it.

I was blessed to be raised in a family with a mom and dad. My children are blessed to be raised in a family with a mom and dad. I cannot imagine trying to fill the role of father and mother. I know single mommas who are relentless and exhausted. I know single mommas who work multiple jobs to make ends meet. I know single mommas who worry and pray over their children while they do the best they can to raise them in a godly environment. To you single mommas I want to wish a Happy Father’s Day. Keep up the good work. Be diligent.

I encourage my single-momma girlfriends to find godly women to mentor and encourage you. Pray for God to provide a rich tapestry of women who will come along side you to support and encourage you. In Titus 2:3-5, we are instructed to have mature women walking, encouraging and mentoring younger women. If you’ve walled yourself off because of all you have been through, God did not design that lifestyle. He didn’t intend for you to have no friends your own age. He didn’t intend for you to learn everything on your own.

For my girlfriends who are not walking this path. Please keep this in mind. These type single mommas can also be very hard to get to know. They’ve been hurt. They don’t trust easily. Sometimes they wall themselves off from others and push others away. It takes great courage to overcome fear. Be patient and love them anyway.

Single-momma girlfriends, if you are not modeling good, healthy relationship with godly women, who is going to model it for your children? Your children aren’t your friends. They are your children. You are their parent. Single-momma girlfriends, you need growing, godly girlfriends that are your age. Pray for God to provide, and He will. Pray for God to give you discernment in the ones you should trust. Pray for God to give you courage to step out from behind the protective wall, so you can be loved on.

I know time is a precious commodity, and you are stretched thin, but we serve a BIG, creative God. He can weave women into your life without you realizing. He may already have. You just have to let them in.

Are they going to mess up? Yes. Will they say something that might hurt your feelings? Yes, but if they are truly growing godly women, it will not be intentional. You must learn to forgive.

The best gift you can give yourself on this Father’s Day is the gift of a godly girlfriend.

You are an amazing woman to shoulder parenting by yourself, but you don’t have to be Wonder Woman and do life all by yourself.

http://biblehub.com/

My Daddy's Hands

When I was in elementary, my daddy would ask me to give him a manicure. One time I tried to give him a pedicure, but his feet were harder and tougher than boot leather. Kid you not. His hands were not much better, but he would soak them in some warm water to soften them up a little before I applied the lotion to his hands and cuticles. His hands are easily identified.

I worked so hard to push his cuticles back and buff his nails smooth. I don’t know if he could tell a difference or not by the time I was done, but it was time we had sitting side by side.

My daddy’s hands would beat my behind like a drum when I was a baby because that was the only way I’d go to sleep.

My daddy’s hands put together a swing set in the candlelight in an unheated shed, so we would have a surprise from Santa when we got up on Christmas morning.

My daddy’s hands would teach my sister to fish and would hold my hands on a shotgun while I tried to aim.

My daddy’s hands would rub my back.

My daddy’s hands are the ones I would put my feet in and let him pump me up and down. Obviously momma wasn't home. Circus tricks were only attempted in her absence.

My daddy’s hands are also the ones who plucked me out of a church pew when I was misbehavin’ to go wear my behind out. His hands disciplined me on more than one occasion. He used to tell people the reason I didn’t have much of a behind is because of how frequently I received spankings.

My daddy’s hands would hold my hands when we had dates or anytime I rode next to him in the truck.

My daddy’s hands would open the doors for my mom and hold them for me when we had dates.

My daddy’s hands placed my hand into the hand of the man I married.

My daddy’s hands have rocked and played with my children.

My daddy’s hands garden and have the strength of a vice grip.

I know everyone doesn’t have a daddy with these kind of hands, and for that I’m truly sorry.

But we do have is a Heavenly Father who has something very unique about His hands, and it makes them easily identified.

Isaiah 49:16, Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;

your walls are continually before me. ESV

Some translations read He has inscribed or written us into the palm of His hands. Do you know what are in the palms of Jesus? Nail scars. As daughters of the One True King, we are written, engraved permanently in the hand of God. John 10:29, My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

Whether you had, have or didn’t have a good earthly father, we have a wonderful Heavenly Father. So, Abba, Happy Father’s Day.

Our Father’s hands knitted and created you in your mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:14)

Our Father’s hands turns darkness into light and makes the rough places smooth. (Isaiah 42:16)

Our Father’s hands work to make His will known.

Our Father’s hands holds the world in space.

Our Father’s hands discipline us when we need it, how we need it, and how frequently we need it.

Our Father’s hands has prepared a wonderful place called heaven for you and me.

We have a pretty amazing Father.

http://blueletterbible.org/

Got Faith? Then others will see it. If not, what you have is a belief.

                Faith is one of my words for the year, and as I’ve been reading through the gospels I’ve observed  faith is seen. It’s visible. Faith requires action for God to work on our behalf. Faith requires us to trust God and move forward as He leads even when it doesn’t make sense or when it’s scary.

                In Luke 17:11-19, there’s a story you’ve probably read or heard many times. It’s the story about the ten men who had a serious skin disease. If you haven’t read it for yourself in a while, you really should.

                Just some observations on my part. You might see more.

                There were 10 men with a serious skin disease who went to see Jesus, but they didn’t approach Jesus. They stood away and called out to Him. They were unclean, and they were infectious. They were probably pretty disgusting too. They had sores that probably oozed. They probably had an odor because of it. Isn’t that how we all come to Jesus? Filthy. Infected by sin. Unclean.

                Their cry was, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (To this day, I cry for mercy.)

                Jesus doesn’t ignore them. He stops and speaks to them. “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” Does He say, “Your faith has made you well?” No. Does He say, “Your sins are forgiven,” and then they were made whole? No. There are many times Jesus and His apostles healed people on the spot, but this time, Jesus said, “Go and show yourselves.”

                The men turned to go. The men were walking to show themselves to the priest when the healing happened. They didn’t get an immediate fix, an immediate healing. They had to actual go away from Jesus. They had to make steps in obedience before healing would come. They had to act because by acting and doing what He said, they had their faith.

                What if instead of heading to the priest, they decided to go home because Jesus hadn’t healed them on the spot like He had done for others at other times? They would have missed out on being healed. They would have missed out on a blessing. They would have missed out on the miracle. What do we miss when we fail to act in faith? What miracles are we missing out on because we do not act in faith?

                On the way to the priest was where and when the healing happened, and one gave glory to God. One out of ten gave glory to God for what God had done in their lives. I wonder if that statistic stands true today for those who claim to be Christians. How many “Christians” give God the glory for the miracles, the blessings in their lives? It’s really a sad statistic.

                But this time, instead of keeping his distance the man healed from his skin condition made a personal connection with Jesus. He fell at Jesus’ feet facedown thanking Him. Isn’t that amazing? To be healed and cleansed by Jesus from afar only to be given the opportunity to thank Him in person where he could actually touch Him. One day, I’m going to do that. One day, I’m going to be able to thank my Jesus in person for what He endured and did for me on the cross. I’ll be one hot, snottin’-up, blubbering mess, but I’m going to do that one day. Mark my words.

                Then Jesus pointed out the man was a Samaritan. How is this significant? The Jews saw Samaritans as half-breeds in every sense of the derogatory connotation you can think. The Jews were God’s chosen people, but some had married outside of the Jewish community resulting in Samaritans. Samaritans were considered less than or beneath them. Men may not find value in another human being, but Jesus finds value in every human being. He finds value because He was willing to die to have a relationship with them.

                Jesus commented, “Where are the other 9?” He wanted a personal encounter with them, but they chose not to have that moment with Jesus. How sad. Look at what they missed out on? Have you missed out on a personal experience with Jesus because you lacked gratitude?

                Then Jesus told the Samaritan, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith had made you well.” The words every sick person wants to hear.

                If you have not acted on your belief, then you don’t have faith.

                If your belief hasn’t been tested or tried, then you don’t have faith.

                Faith can be seen and heard.

                Faith is a living thing that grows in proportion to your obedience.

http://biblegateway.com/

Having a Hard Time -- Look at Those Around You

My Pappaw always reminded me of John Wayne, only better looking and quieter. I never heard Pappaw tell me he loved me or any of the grands, but we all knew he loved us very much. When he was diagnosed with a medical condition in which no medical doctor in our town wanted to touch, he was flown to Houston. He came out of surgery, but never recovered. After a month of being in Houston, it was decided to bring him to Shreveport, so we could take care of him.

Pappaw was in a hospital near my work, so every morning before work and at lunch, I’d go exercise his arms and legs, put lotion on his skin, chapstick on his lips, comb his hair, and I’d talk to him. Sometimes I threatened to paint his toe nails a brighter red color. Being a navy man from World War II had he been able to talk, I would not have made that threat.

People would come and go and visit with whatever family and friends were there. If you popped in, you would hear someone telling a story about Pappaw.

There was one nurse who my family just loved. When he entered the room, he always talked to Pappaw. I entered his room once, and this nurse was just talking away about the baseball game on TV. My Pappaw played minor league baseball back in the day.

Little did we know that during this very tiring and sad season, the nurse was watching and listening to our family and Pappaw’s friends. He was there when Pappaw drew his last breath. He was even at Pappaw’s funeral. You just never know who is watching you when you struggle or grieve.

In Acts 21, a prophet named Agabus showed Paul he would be bound at his hands and his feet by the Jews if he went to Jerusalem. Keep in mind, Agabus does not deliver any other facts. Does your mind automatically jump to the worst case scenario? Mine does.

What does Paul do? He goes to Jerusalem, later in chapter 21, we see Paul bound just as Agabus prophesied.

In Acts 23:11, “the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Have courage! For as you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome’.”  There are so many plot twists to this story. You really should read it, but at one point, Paul insists on appealing to Caesar himself. In order to place this appeal, guess where Paul had to be shipped? ROME! We also find out Paul could have been released sooner if he had not requested an appeal to Caesar.

In the most difficult of circumstances, Paul was telling people about the Way, which was the early term for Christian faith. He told people on the ship. He told the governor. He told Pharisees and Saducees. He told heads of state. He told King Agrippa. Had Paul not insisted on being heard in Rome, he might not ever had access to the people to tell them the good news.

Paul wasn’t looking at his surroundings, struggling and fighting, fretting and worrying. He was looking at the people God had placed in his path with whom to share his faith.

The people you meet during the most difficult times in your life are there for a purpose. Sometimes the purpose is God has sent them to you to encourage you and mentor you through that situation. Sometimes the purpose is God has put you in what you might consider miserable place because He is bringing people to you. He wants you to tell them about Him.

In Acts 17:25-28 tells us He gives everyone life and breath and all things. He determines man’s appointed times and boundaries or where they live. He did this so they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out to find Him.

People that cross your path when you are struggling with a wayward child, going through bankruptcy, dealing with an unfaithful spouse, grieving the death of a child, working through the cancer journey, looking for a job – they are placed in your path for a purpose. Take the time to look up from your hurt, your pain, your grief, and ask God to show you who you can encourage who may be a few steps behind you.

After my Pappaw’s funeral, we received a letter from the nurse. It was then we discovered that he had been watching and listening. Because of what he heard and saw, he realized he had run from God for too long. He had returned to church and was taking his daughter with him. You just never know who’s watching.

http://biblehub.com/

NO DOUBT -- Living Your Faith

What would your faith be like if you had no doubts?

What would your relationship with God be like if you had no doubts?                                                               

Don’t act like you don’t have doubts or second guess God. We all have at some point in time in our faith. “Is that really God’s voice I’m hearing or something else?”

“Is this really where He’s leading, or is this just what I want?”

As I’m reading through Acts, these questions came to me as I reflected on Acts 10:19-20, “While Peter was thinking about the vision, the Spirit told him, ‘Three men are here looking for you. Get up, go downstairs, and accompany them with no doubts at all, because I have sent them’.” (HCSB)

The Spirit told him. Why would anyone have any doubts if the Spirit told him to do something, right? Wrong. I’m going to be transparent here and maybe I’m alone in this, but I’ve asked the Spirit if He was sure He wanted me to do what He was prompting me to do. As if He would second-guess Himself. Please.

Accompany them. Go with these people you have never met. It’ll be fine. Sometimes the Spirit leads us into some unusual situations with unusual and extraordinary people. That just means it’s about to get some kind of interesting, and God’s going to show up.

Accompany them with no doubt. Go with them without reservation. Don’t be nervous. God’s got this.

Why could Peter go with no doubt? Because the Spirit had sent them. Do you know how Peter could hear the Spirit? Because he spent time with the Lord. He spent time in prayer.

Having no doubt comes from being in a relationship of infallible trust. It’s an infallible trust because He will never let us down. His plan, His purpose will not be thwarted.

We can have that same kind of relationship with God. We can hear from the Spirit. We can act on what the Spirit says with NO DOUBT.

As a result of Peter having NO DOUBT, Gentiles received the good news. Because Peter went with NO DOUBT, we can be called brothers and sisters in Christ even if we are not Jewish. Not only did the Gentiles receive the good news, but they received the Holy Spirit. What an amazing time of worship that must have been!

What if everyone professing to be a Christian lived their faith out loud and bold with NO DOUBT? This world would not be in the mess it’s in, would it? Well, there’s a way to change that. Ask God to empower you to be courageous and bold and to live a NO DOUBT faith.

Where the Spirit of the Lord leads, go with NO DOUBT!

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A Momma's Words

When my daughter was about four years old, my husband was away working catastrophe storm work settling people’s claims. One night, Erin just couldn’t seem to stay in the bed. She is by nature a happy-go-lucky fun kind of kid, but that night she was pushing me over the edge. About the fifth time, I got down so she could see my face, and I told her if she got up again, I was going to use a wooden spoon on her legs, since it was her legs getting her out of the bed.

Yes ma’am.

Do you need a reminder? I asked. (What kind of question is that any way?)

No ma’am. She walks half way across the den before returning to me in the kitchen saying, “I think I’m going to need that reminder.” I was so surprised. Shocked really. What was I supposed to do with that?

I found her a wooden spoon, and I handed it to her. She happily took it to her room and stayed in her bed the rest of the night.

“Do you need a reminder?” That has to be one of the stupidest questions I’ve asked as a parent.

I find myself saying things to my son that I never once would have thought I would say.

                “Do not eat the dirt in the backyard where the dog is.”

                “Don’t climb up on the roof, especially without shoes and a secure ladder.”

                “Don’t chop down the only hickory tree on our three acres just to getfootball down.”

                “Why is there a frog in your closet?”

                The list could go on and on.

I recently asked on my personal Facebook page what were some of the crazy things mothers have said.

My mom used to tell me she was going to pin my ears back and don’t act like a bunch of Banshees. Who was acting!?

My very meek grandmother used to tell her three knot-headed boys she would shake them till they spit. Not really sure what that meant, but it seemed impactful.

Did you ever hear, “I’m going to knock you into next week”? What about, “I’m going to jerk a knot in your neck.” Another version is, “I’m going to jerk a knot in your tail.”

One I had forgotten was, “Eat your bread crusts. That’s where all the vitamins are!”

What about when you made an ugly face? “Your face is going to get stuck like that.”

Isn’t it amazing how you can hear your mom’s voice in your head giving her opinion, wisdom or maybe criticism?

Have you ever opened your mouth and heard your mom?

EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

Long after I’m gone and my children can no longer feel my arms around them they will still hear the words I’ve spoken into their hearts.

Words are so important. Words are impactful.

I studied the kings of Israel, and there were two who were righteous and did what was right in the Lord’s eyes. It wasn’t because of what their fathers had done but because of their mothers’ influence.

I think of Timothy. His father was a non-believer, but he had a momma and the grandmother who loved Jesus and served in kingdom work which Timothy saw.

Words which are supported by actions are life changing.

Maybe you didn’t have a mom who spoke love and lived Jesus in front of you, but I bet there was some woman in your life who did those things.

You may not be a mom, but I bet there are people in your life you mother and love on and have influence over. Are your words backed up by actions?

Some of the most powerful words a mom can say are, “I love you so much, and Jesus loves you more than I can even fathom.”

You may be raising a strong-willed, hard headed kid who frustrates you to no end, but there still needs to be a time when that child hears what is good in them, what you love about them.

Door of Affirmation

We have doors of affirmation in our home. I post words of praise or encouragement on a post-it note, date it, and sign it. I put it on my kids’ doors. Erin takes them and puts them in her room, but Pearce keeps his on the outside of his bedroom door.

He tells me when I haven’t posted something in a while. He looks for those words of affirmation.

Momma’s, this day is about you, but I encourage you to take each child and speak life into each because the world is busy tearing them down. And when you are gone, don’t you want them to hear your voice speaking life and love? Today is the perfect time to do it. Go ahead. See how it affects them.

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Broken Wide Open in Those Places

Adoption - I laid my arm over my deflated belly. It felt like the darkness in the room was coming from deep inside me somewhere. For hours I slept fitfully, waking from the pain in my abdomen and when my tear-soaked pillow grew cold.

In the moment I didn't regret my decision, but I knew I had chosen a life that would leave me broken and sorrowful.

I could hear her laugh even before her face appeared on the screen.

Every text, every email, every FaceTime call, every visit still makes my heart skip a beat.

For a while I barely breathed during our moments of contact, like somehow the everyday moments of life might drive away this whisper of dreamlike hope. I breathe now. I laugh. I dwell fully in each moment, for I know how many I've missed.

“To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. ”

— Isaiah 61:3

After I chose to play my first child for adoption I could have starred in any good Lifetime movie. I spent many years mourning. I drank and sought out unhealthy relationships sure that I didn't deserve more. It would be years before I understood that my decision had the ability to bring both my daughter and I life.

On Tuesday evening I sat glued to the computer screen as my oldest daughter, my beautiful daughter God restored to our life and my heart, recounted her week's adventures in college. Our youngest two children sat on the couch with me, hanging on every word, excited to see this woman who calls them her little brother and sister. That's God.

There are so many moments we carry...as birthmothers...mothers...wives...daughters...women...that carry heartache. Moments that feel unredeemable - like our past, our sins, our shame, our aches and failures are bigger than God. But these tender places, places where we're broken open, deep and wide...these places are the places God uses for His glory.

When I chose adoption for my long-legged baby girl I thought that was the end of our relationship, that our story was over. And as long as I lived like it was over...like there was no hpe...no redemption...it was. But somewhere along the way God whispered, well maybe more like the "stage whisper" of a lion, to give it all to Him.

I didn't know what that looked like or how it would even pan out, but I tried it. I set down my broken heart at the foot of the cross and every day put one foot in front of the other to follow Jesus. It was not a short nor an easy road.

But oaks don't grow quickly...

Nineteen years later, I sit glued to the computer screen, I pack care packages for our college girl and we're planning a trip to Liberia to serve the Jesus that loves us so.

I'm still broken wide open in those places. I used to pray for healing and the ability to forget the hurts, the losses and the missed mama moments. But God isn't in the business of denial...He's in the restoration business. I no longer sing the mournful song of a woman broken and hopeless, but the joyous praise-filled song of a woman who sees God most clearly in weakness and broken places.

“Let’s not celebrate Mother’s Day as two different groups of women or with different labels....let’s celebrate as women who know what it is to be broken open and who seek to see God work in our deepest hurts and toughest choices.”

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Guess Who's Coming for Easter Dinner

John 6:70-71, “Jesus replied to them, ‘Didn’t I choose you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is the Devil!’ He was referring to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, one of the Twelve, because he was going to betray Him.

John 12:4-6, “Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot (who was about to betray Him), said, ‘Why wasn’t this fragrant oil sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor?’ He didn’t say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the money-bag and would steal part of what was put in it.”

John 13:2, “Now by the time of supper, the Devil had already put it into the heart of Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray Him.”

John 13:26-27, “Jesus replied, ‘He’s the one I give the piece of bread to after I have dipped it.’ When He had dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son. After Judas ate the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Therefore Jesus told him, ‘What you’re doing, do quickly’.”

How many of you will be spending time with family this Easter? How many of my girlfriends will entertain people in your homes? How many will deal with difficult people or stressful situations? Let’s face it, sometimes the hardest people to witness to are those in our own family and those closest to us. The reason for Easter mirrors this struggle.

Spiritual Warfare reaches an acme of highest proportions in the events surrounding the Last Supper and the events that followed, and if Satan can use someone close to Jesus to betray Him, don’t think you are above reproach.

Let’s look at Judas. Jesus knew well in advance Judas was going to betray Him, yet He kept Judas as part of the Twelve. If Jesus was going to circumvent the Father’s will, He could have kicked Judas out long before the betrayal. Truth is, Judas didn’t even have to be created, but God chose to create him anyway. …Chew on that for a little bit.

Next we see Judas’ character before the betrayal and his role in the Twelve. Even in the presence of Jesus, Judas was a thief. Even though Judas had a personal relationship with Jesus, he still chose to deceive. Satan had a foothold in Judas’ life – the love of money.

At the Last Supper, the Devil had already put it in Judas’ heart to make some money in betraying Christ. Jesus knew this, and He served Judas regardless. As a matter of fact, we see Judas practically eating out of the Savior’s hand. This moment that could have brought Judas close to Jesus was the final straw because Satan entered him and took control.

Judas’ foothold not only led to a stronghold, but it led to possession. Greed owned him. Just because someone claims to be spend time with Jesus and to have a relationship with Jesus, does not mean they are of Jesus. Does that make sense? Judas spent time with Jesus, had a relationship with Him, but Judas was not of Jesus. Jesus’ teachings did not course through Judas. Judas didn’t practice the principles set by Jesus. Judas may have fooled some of the people, but Jesus knew exactly who He was.

Having said this, Jesus knew who Judas was and what Judas was all about, but still served him anyway. We are not given an “out” or an excuse not to serve someone because they aren’t a fellow believer. We are not given an “out” or an excuse not to serve someone because they are difficult to serve and love. As a matter of fact, the opposite is true. We are to serve these in the most personal ways. Jesus basically hand-fed Judas. Before this last supper, Jesus washed Judas’ feet.

Love thine enemies. Matthew 5:42-48 Jesus tells us this very thing.

This Easter you may be serving someone in your home that you view as a Judas in your life. Remember this, you were once a Judas to Jesus Christ. You were once an enemy of Christ. You were once lost. Now you have to decide have you matured to the point that you can be Christ-like and serve the Judas’ in your life. Isn’t this what Easter is about? Showing the world who Christ is to us and how His life affected ours? If you claim the moniker “Christian,” then you should treat all the way Christ has treated you. Forgiven.

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