I was at the Desperate for Jesus conference in Dallas this weekend with a friend, listening to a message by Beth Moore (who rocks by the way!!!), that turned out to be avery prophetic message for what she was about to go through that very weekend (Topic: Bruised, not Broken; Surviving the Storms of this Life). The details are hers, and not mine to share, but I wanted to touch on some things that just rocked my world due to the way the events unfolded.
First off, I don't know why I'm still bowled over by the providential nature of our God...but I am. I think I said before, I no longer believe in coincidences and I don't, for reals! I see that everything that happens, happens for a reason and God is in control, even if it is something bad...He isn't suprised and many times probably allows it to happen because He's going to use it for His good in the future (that's a whole 'nuther topic though). With all that being said, I want to say that we were in the EXACT place God wanted us to be this weekend when she was delivered some devastating, soul crushing, news. Talk about a storm...I would call this one a tsunami and I ain't jokin' folks. Literally, Beth Moore had just walked off the stage and finished her talk when the phone rang and my friend received this crushing news. Immediately, she was surrounded by prayer warriors at Oak Cliff. And let me tell you, this women could pray down fire from heaven. I mean, when they spoke, I can tell you, God was on it and probably even said YES M'AAM!!! Powerful stuff...I'm just glad we are on the same team! They rallied around us, supported my friend, even got a shuttle to take us directly to our car (and it was a LOOOONG way away so praise God for that)...and while we waited for the shuttle, another lady came and prayed over us and my friend went from hysterics....to peace...all in that one time of prayer. It was amazing to watch, feel and know that God was there and comforting her (and me too...I was in shock along with her even though this wasn't happening to me). I was able to drive her home, as I had driven us there, and get her where she needed to be to take care of things. I even called the gentleman who had broken the news to her to get more details...and he said to me "I have wrestled with calling her all day but I just felt I should and broke down and did it" Mind you this event had occurred about 12 hours earlier...God held him off until literally the PERFECT time...crazy stuff ya'll!
After the crisis mode had died down I was able to think...what if...? What if she'd been with her children and gotten that news? What if she hadn't looked down and saw her phone, that was on silent, ringing and answered it right then? What if we had been ANYWHERE else...how alone and lost would she have felt? What if that guy had called her earlier in the day, before we heard Beth Moore finish her message and wrap up and get the exact message she was going to need just seconds later? But you know what...we don't serve a what if God! He's on time, every time...right on time to be quite honest. Perfect, never late, never slow to keep His promises. He knew way before time this was all going to happen, and He had her and I sign up for that conference together because He knew how bad we were going to need it!
And in the words of Beth Moore, "You may see the ship broken to pieces in the storm, but you WILL NOT BE BROKEN...but you might get bruised! Wherever our ship runs aground is the EXACT place God has sent us and we will emerge a victor. He will bring a force that the hurricane will have to bow down to!" And my very favorite quote and one I want to shout from the roof tops as I've lived it and can testify to its truth "On the other side of a perfect storm, the serpent is all bite and NO VENOM!!! After all that intimidation and despair by the enemy, we realize the enemy has no power compared to our God." Preach it sista!!! Can I get a witness on that one?!
What happened to my friend and loved one this weekend was a spiritual attack plain and simple. It was evil, it was desperate, it was dark, it was horrible and life destroying and life taking for one person. But, what the enemy wants to use for destruction and despair, God is going to refine and use for His good and His glory in His perfect timing...you just watch and see!
Proverbs 30:4 (New International Version)
Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands?
Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and the name of his son?
Tell me if you know!
Thank you God for being our refuge and safe haven in times of trouble!
JOY
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Gettin' Back to My Roots
A few weeks back, I went for a visit to my hometown in East Texas to see my family, as well as my sister who was up for the week with the twins. I had a lot of driving time down there and back and I just really had a lot of time to my thoughts, no radio, no phone, just thinking. I really was reflecting back on the past 9 months and how one of the lessons I feel God has tried to enforce to me is to "simplify". I got that message loud and clear after Haiti for sure and realized I just have too much stuff that I don't need, and I'm involved in too many things that aren't life giving to others. So, when I came back, down the hammer came on a lot of areas of my life.
My life can be crazy and pretty "noisy" just due to the nature of what I do, but that doesn't mean that everything I'm involved in has to be noisy, too! I've prayed specifically on which direction God wants me to take on several issues and I actually got some answers on that trip and really felt a peace about it. Amazing what some driving time can do for a girl! And when I got back, some things I had kinda been thinking about like "hmm, well, I wonder how that would work" but really, I hadn't even thought to pray about yet...well, they got answered out of the blue. So I got answered prayers that hadn't even been prayed yet...now that is way cool!
I was laughing to myself the other day as I heard for about the jillionith time, "can't believe you let your beamer go!". Not, wow, I'm sorry you got divorced but, you didn't get to keep the car??? And people are shocked when I said that was my choice...sure I could've kept it but I had other priorities. It's a sad state of our world when people are more worried about what happens to a car! A good friend even asked me if I was going to cry when I gave it back and I just had to laugh...I've had bigger fish to fry in my life to have time to worry about the fate of a car. I didn't shed a tear...it's just a material thing and I've learned that they don't bring happiness. Maybe one day I will own a BMW again, maybe I won't. Honestly, I'm not losing sleep over it. It was fun to drive...but you know my dually gets me from point A to point B just fine!
I've spent the last ten years of my life trying to measure up and prove who I am to myself, to others and claw my way to the top...and I forgot at some point that I only need to check in with an audience of one. I realized on that trip to East Texas that I've grown and matured and developed as an adult and that's all well and good, but there's also nothing wrong with my roots either. I can embrace them both and merge them into one, and honestly, that helped me decide about some big future plans that I'm putting into action...and am quite excited about! So, God used my roots and "where I come from" to speak some pretty cool stuff over me that I'm sure I will be sharing in the near future...
I think other than simplifying my life, the other thing I've learned is to be content, right where I'm at, right now. I don't really worry about tomorrow, or next week, I'm just happy with the day I have in front of me right now. And, I'm content with what I do and what all I have in my life because it's enough, actually more than enough if I'm honest. God used the trials I have been through to sift me like wheat, remove impurities, get the junk out that needed to be purged...and then what is left is much more useable for His goals and purposes. And, I'm good with that...I see it needed to happen and I'm glad that when I had a choice to make, I chose Him. When it all boils down, life actually is pretty simple...we make it hard. I'm chosing to simplify, be content with my life and just .... be still and enjoy it.
Philippians 4:11
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Content Right Where I'm At,
JOY
My life can be crazy and pretty "noisy" just due to the nature of what I do, but that doesn't mean that everything I'm involved in has to be noisy, too! I've prayed specifically on which direction God wants me to take on several issues and I actually got some answers on that trip and really felt a peace about it. Amazing what some driving time can do for a girl! And when I got back, some things I had kinda been thinking about like "hmm, well, I wonder how that would work" but really, I hadn't even thought to pray about yet...well, they got answered out of the blue. So I got answered prayers that hadn't even been prayed yet...now that is way cool!
I was laughing to myself the other day as I heard for about the jillionith time, "can't believe you let your beamer go!". Not, wow, I'm sorry you got divorced but, you didn't get to keep the car??? And people are shocked when I said that was my choice...sure I could've kept it but I had other priorities. It's a sad state of our world when people are more worried about what happens to a car! A good friend even asked me if I was going to cry when I gave it back and I just had to laugh...I've had bigger fish to fry in my life to have time to worry about the fate of a car. I didn't shed a tear...it's just a material thing and I've learned that they don't bring happiness. Maybe one day I will own a BMW again, maybe I won't. Honestly, I'm not losing sleep over it. It was fun to drive...but you know my dually gets me from point A to point B just fine!
I've spent the last ten years of my life trying to measure up and prove who I am to myself, to others and claw my way to the top...and I forgot at some point that I only need to check in with an audience of one. I realized on that trip to East Texas that I've grown and matured and developed as an adult and that's all well and good, but there's also nothing wrong with my roots either. I can embrace them both and merge them into one, and honestly, that helped me decide about some big future plans that I'm putting into action...and am quite excited about! So, God used my roots and "where I come from" to speak some pretty cool stuff over me that I'm sure I will be sharing in the near future...
I think other than simplifying my life, the other thing I've learned is to be content, right where I'm at, right now. I don't really worry about tomorrow, or next week, I'm just happy with the day I have in front of me right now. And, I'm content with what I do and what all I have in my life because it's enough, actually more than enough if I'm honest. God used the trials I have been through to sift me like wheat, remove impurities, get the junk out that needed to be purged...and then what is left is much more useable for His goals and purposes. And, I'm good with that...I see it needed to happen and I'm glad that when I had a choice to make, I chose Him. When it all boils down, life actually is pretty simple...we make it hard. I'm chosing to simplify, be content with my life and just .... be still and enjoy it.
Philippians 4:11
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
Content Right Where I'm At,
JOY
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Grass vs Astroturf
A few weeks ago, Pastor Rick Warren tweeted the following:
"The grass is not greener on the other side, it has just been watered! And if it really is greener, it just might be astroturf."
I wish I was smart enough to come up with such a catchy phrase, but instead, I just steal them from others! I've thought a lot about that phrase off and on and how it relates to just about any relationship.
Last night, I was walking home after taking my dog for a long walk, and I was able to really look at my yard as I walked up the driveway. After all this glorious rain and being freshly mowed yesterday, it is just green and lush and beautiful. For those that don't know, that in itself has been a labor of love. We have a HUGE front yard and it just had some ugly native grasses. So, last year, we decide to spend the money and get it hydromulched and get some nice saint augustine grass growing. Well...we did this about June when it was SUPER hot and of course zero rain for the rest of the summer...and we learned AFTER THE FACT that we have about zero water pressure to water even a small area. So, more money, more labor ensued to get more water pressure and for WEEKS, we were watering our investment like mad, moving sprinklers constantly and trying to keep that grass from dying. It even got to a point where we said forget about the grass farthest from the road, let's just water this nearest to the house and try to save it. It appeared, at that time, an exercise in futility...to a point that we just felt defeated and up against Mother Nature. We even had people tell us that was a waste of money, they could have "told us that wouldn't work", etc. So, talk about add insult to injury.
Well, I'm here to tell you that not only this year is the grass alive, it is beautiful. Sure, there are some weeds that have to be addressed, but really with all the God sent rain, it is lush, green, inviting and just downright pretty. And you know what else? It has SPREAD...even the areas we gave up on and said "it's a lost cause":...well now they are green, too! I hadn't really focused on it that much till last night...and I just laughed and thought, "what a difference a year makes".
Now back to that comment above...aren't relationships just like my yard if you think about it? Sometimes, they just look like no matter what the effort, they are going to die...it's futile, hopeless, just move on. And people are all too quick to affirm that. People often just move on to another person...but if you use my analogy with the yard, would you give up watering your grass and start watering your neighbors? Ummm, I don't think so! You would dig in and bear down and do the best you can with your own yard! So, why do we give up on relationships so easy? And I'm not just talking about a spouse...I'm talking about family, friends, co-workers...the list goes on.
The work that is put into a relationship is hard work...and when we are wrapped up in it, it can look pretty hopeless. But, if we just dig in, commit to doing the work, don't listen to the advice of the "world" but walk in the spirit...one day, maybe a year down the road we realize that at some point, our love started to be re-infused, it started to spread, and it started to grow. Maybe we can't put our finger on the exact date but we see the results in the relationship and what a beautful thing to watch it blossom and grow. Sure, we have to keep up the work and keep the weeds out, as you can never stop working on a relationship, but the cycle gets easier if the work is done up front and those seeds planted will reap a mighty harvest one day in the near future.
Isaiah 55:9-11
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth.
It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
In Him,
JOY
"The grass is not greener on the other side, it has just been watered! And if it really is greener, it just might be astroturf."
I wish I was smart enough to come up with such a catchy phrase, but instead, I just steal them from others! I've thought a lot about that phrase off and on and how it relates to just about any relationship.
Last night, I was walking home after taking my dog for a long walk, and I was able to really look at my yard as I walked up the driveway. After all this glorious rain and being freshly mowed yesterday, it is just green and lush and beautiful. For those that don't know, that in itself has been a labor of love. We have a HUGE front yard and it just had some ugly native grasses. So, last year, we decide to spend the money and get it hydromulched and get some nice saint augustine grass growing. Well...we did this about June when it was SUPER hot and of course zero rain for the rest of the summer...and we learned AFTER THE FACT that we have about zero water pressure to water even a small area. So, more money, more labor ensued to get more water pressure and for WEEKS, we were watering our investment like mad, moving sprinklers constantly and trying to keep that grass from dying. It even got to a point where we said forget about the grass farthest from the road, let's just water this nearest to the house and try to save it. It appeared, at that time, an exercise in futility...to a point that we just felt defeated and up against Mother Nature. We even had people tell us that was a waste of money, they could have "told us that wouldn't work", etc. So, talk about add insult to injury.
Well, I'm here to tell you that not only this year is the grass alive, it is beautiful. Sure, there are some weeds that have to be addressed, but really with all the God sent rain, it is lush, green, inviting and just downright pretty. And you know what else? It has SPREAD...even the areas we gave up on and said "it's a lost cause":...well now they are green, too! I hadn't really focused on it that much till last night...and I just laughed and thought, "what a difference a year makes".
Now back to that comment above...aren't relationships just like my yard if you think about it? Sometimes, they just look like no matter what the effort, they are going to die...it's futile, hopeless, just move on. And people are all too quick to affirm that. People often just move on to another person...but if you use my analogy with the yard, would you give up watering your grass and start watering your neighbors? Ummm, I don't think so! You would dig in and bear down and do the best you can with your own yard! So, why do we give up on relationships so easy? And I'm not just talking about a spouse...I'm talking about family, friends, co-workers...the list goes on.
The work that is put into a relationship is hard work...and when we are wrapped up in it, it can look pretty hopeless. But, if we just dig in, commit to doing the work, don't listen to the advice of the "world" but walk in the spirit...one day, maybe a year down the road we realize that at some point, our love started to be re-infused, it started to spread, and it started to grow. Maybe we can't put our finger on the exact date but we see the results in the relationship and what a beautful thing to watch it blossom and grow. Sure, we have to keep up the work and keep the weeds out, as you can never stop working on a relationship, but the cycle gets easier if the work is done up front and those seeds planted will reap a mighty harvest one day in the near future.
Isaiah 55:9-11
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth.
It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
In Him,
JOY
Monday, July 12, 2010
Got Forgiveness?
I've hinted at the fact that the flood gates have been opened wide since my ordeal and a LOT of folks confide in me about their marital problems or hurts, which is a really humbling as often I feel very unworthy, but it is a very cool thing. I have learned and am learning a lot on this journey, but talking to people with their real life struggles and experiences now and in the past has been very eye opening and a blessing to me.
Through talking with people, I would have to say the common denominator in these stories centers around forgiveness, or the lack of it. It is our human nature to get hurt and then say, "You are going to pay for that!". But, that is definitely not what God wants us to do. And when life is not going so good, who do you hurt? Those closest to you...which means most of the time our spouse. Over time, these hurts become very additive and one day, we end up carrying around so much unforgiveness in our hearts...we just can't seem to remember why we should even forgive and we feel justified in our hurt. It becomes the "how did we get here?" story.
We often joke around about "WWJD?"...and I will tell you if you read His words, you will see EXACTLY what He did over and over....He forgave people. Even if they didn't deserve it, even in the act of sinning, even if they were a rotten, no good scoundrel...He forgave. I think in any relationship, that is what we are called to do...forgive even if that person "doesn't deserve it"...especially if they don't! I've found in my life that forgiveness is a choice...it's black or white, no and's, if's or but's...you either do it or you don't. But by forgiving, you take that weight off your shoulders and you don't waste your life being weighted down by unforgiveness. How freeing that is! Does it always change the situation? Sadly, no...but it does change your heart and keep it soft and supple and in tune with God's heart for His children.
I'm reading The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning, which by the way is AMAZING and I'm wondering why I never read it before! I've heard him speak before and he is as powerful a speaker as he is a writer. In his book, he says "If you really want to understand a man, don't just listen to what he says, but watch what he does". So how are we all doing in THAT category? Yeahhhh.....What do people see when they see our actions? I think the act of forgiveness says a whole lot about the character of a person and what their internal makeup, i.e their heart, is like. As Christians and just people in general, it is so easy to just hang on to our hurts but what kind of witness and example are we showing the world? Is it a wonder that people are turned off of religion because they are watching our walk and they see it is not lining up with our talk?!
There is one last point I want to leave you with that impacted me greatly from this same book. We think others don't deserve forgiveness because they've wronged us just way too much/too many times...but pull the camera back a bit and look at the bigger picture and think about the forgiveness and grace that has been given to us by our Holy Father. Do we deserve that?
"To be alive is to be broken. And to be broken is to stand in need of grace. Honesty keeps us in touch with our neediness and the truth that we are saved sinners."
Choosing to forgive,
JOY
Through talking with people, I would have to say the common denominator in these stories centers around forgiveness, or the lack of it. It is our human nature to get hurt and then say, "You are going to pay for that!". But, that is definitely not what God wants us to do. And when life is not going so good, who do you hurt? Those closest to you...which means most of the time our spouse. Over time, these hurts become very additive and one day, we end up carrying around so much unforgiveness in our hearts...we just can't seem to remember why we should even forgive and we feel justified in our hurt. It becomes the "how did we get here?" story.
We often joke around about "WWJD?"...and I will tell you if you read His words, you will see EXACTLY what He did over and over....He forgave people. Even if they didn't deserve it, even in the act of sinning, even if they were a rotten, no good scoundrel...He forgave. I think in any relationship, that is what we are called to do...forgive even if that person "doesn't deserve it"...especially if they don't! I've found in my life that forgiveness is a choice...it's black or white, no and's, if's or but's...you either do it or you don't. But by forgiving, you take that weight off your shoulders and you don't waste your life being weighted down by unforgiveness. How freeing that is! Does it always change the situation? Sadly, no...but it does change your heart and keep it soft and supple and in tune with God's heart for His children.
I'm reading The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning, which by the way is AMAZING and I'm wondering why I never read it before! I've heard him speak before and he is as powerful a speaker as he is a writer. In his book, he says "If you really want to understand a man, don't just listen to what he says, but watch what he does". So how are we all doing in THAT category? Yeahhhh.....What do people see when they see our actions? I think the act of forgiveness says a whole lot about the character of a person and what their internal makeup, i.e their heart, is like. As Christians and just people in general, it is so easy to just hang on to our hurts but what kind of witness and example are we showing the world? Is it a wonder that people are turned off of religion because they are watching our walk and they see it is not lining up with our talk?!
There is one last point I want to leave you with that impacted me greatly from this same book. We think others don't deserve forgiveness because they've wronged us just way too much/too many times...but pull the camera back a bit and look at the bigger picture and think about the forgiveness and grace that has been given to us by our Holy Father. Do we deserve that?
"To be alive is to be broken. And to be broken is to stand in need of grace. Honesty keeps us in touch with our neediness and the truth that we are saved sinners."
Choosing to forgive,
JOY
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