Take Root and Write

More Than a Conqueror

 

 
  

The LORD said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? (Joshua 7:10 NIV)

Beautiful One, have you experienced so many losses that it feels impossible to think of winning?  Unless a person has experienced this particular kind of season, it is hard to relate to or understand the feelings that accompany it. One is overwhelmed, depressed, frustrated, angry, and hopeless all at the same time.

While we may know that it is not as much the fight, as it is the feeling that it may not end in our favor, when the setback happens, we feel defeated. We gain some ground, then something happens, and not only do we lose what we've gained, but we're pushed back from victory even farther.

May I suggest that the battle is not designed to destroy you, as much as it is to wear you out.

A tired soldier is not nearly as effective in battle compared to one who just stepped in for the first time. At the beginning of a fight, there is fervor and zeal; a tenacity that is unmatched. When the battle begins, there is an optimism that accompanies the soldiers mentality; that this enemy is going down!

When God Goes Out Of His Way...

 

And it was necessary for Him to go through Samaria (John 4:4, Amp).

Beautiful One, have you ever had someone go out of there way for you? Has anyone ever put any thought or care into making you feel special? Isn't it a wonderful feeling when someone makes arrangements, plans a surprise, or does something for you to let you know they really care about you?

Likewise, you may also know what it feels like to be left out, ignored, and overlooked.

Do you remember the game kickball as a child? There are two teams and captains. Usually, it's the most popular kids who are the captains, and they get to decide who is worthy enough to stand with them to beat their opponent. And, as children often do, their team's picks aren't based on ability as much as feelings. People tend to pick best friends first, and then the pecking order continues. How well you are liked is how well, and what order, others receive you.

Although, children grow up, all too often this mentality doesn't. This feeling-driven mindset is alive and well in most adults' lives. Thus, we learn that life isn't fair. Life can become problematic. Because wherever there are people there are problems. That's just the way it is.

The woman at Jacob's well was an undesirable "player" in life. She was an unpopular Samaritan, strike one. She was a woman, strike two. She had had five husbands, and was now living with her boyfriend ... definitely strike three. These aren't issues Godly women want, and back then, these really weren't issues any woman would want too! I think it's safe to say, this woman was no stranger to problems. She probably felt like the last kid to be picked for the team, only it was worse for her, because no one would pick her.

But God went out of his way to meet her, God knew it was necessary. He knew what others didn't, that a sin-filled, problem-prone woman would be there, and God went straight there to meet her. The Scriptures don't tell us she had been praying, or calling on the name of the Lord for help. God simply interrupted her usual dealings, on an ordinary day, at a well of grace. God went out of His way to make sure she was on his team.  

Beautiful One, no matter what mess you have gotten yourself into, no matter who overlooks you,  you must know, God sees you. In fact, across town and just on the other side, God may find it necessary to stop by your place along his way.

The best part is, the places you've bled, fought, and stumbled your way through, are the very places that now qualify you to be a player on his team. When God goes out of his way, He won't let anything stand in yours.

 

He will always get to you.

Beautiful One, just believe!

 

God Isn't Done Yet!

 

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6 NIV).

Beautiful One, have you ever worn a mask? Have you ever been smiling on the outside while you felt like dying on the inside? Do you know what it is to hide the real you, for fear that you would be misunderstood, judged, or rejected? If we can be completely transparent, is there a part of you as well, that you hide from God?

Masks: We all have worn one, at one time or another. Some of us have worn several of them. Certain times in our lives we have portrayed ourselves one way, when we were completely another. As children, we learned that certain behaviors, or qualities got us noticed, and accepted, and, we also learned what worked in ways that maybe weren’t so desirable, yet remained effective.

As adults, it is still very easy to produce a mask, and become what we would like to be, or hide what we truly are. And, the truth is, we all are a work-in-progress full of potential and success as well as, flaws, fears, and failures.

Beautiful One, one of the hardest things to do is to be real. Why? Maybe it's because we have this expectation that God has done a great work in our lives, and to show weakness would make him look like He hasn’t done much. Or, maybe we would feel like we are less than a genuine believer if we aren’t riding high on the mountaintops. Who really knows why it is so easy to be fake at times. Fear, insecurity, rejection, or shame: any one of these can be a reason. And more than likely, they are probably the root of what causes us to shrink back, and wear the mask.

While it's so easy to do, it allows us to be comfortable in our embarrassment, shame, or disappointment. We hide so that others won't see that God isn’t done with us yet.

Did you think about that? God isn’t done yet! No more, no less. He has a plan, and in His timing, if we are dealing with something in our lives -- even if we are the ones that have created it -- we can rest knowing God simply isn’t done yet!

Beautiful One, God doesn’t mind how we come into the Kingdom, as long as we get there. And God isnt as mindful of our comfort as He is mindful of matters of the heart. God cares about you because he loves you!

No matter the crisis of the moment, God wants us to stop pretending. For every one person who will misjudge us, He's got two who won't! He can make the bad become good; the ugly, pretty again. He can take our weaknesses and make us strong.

He’s not called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God for nothing!

Beautiful One, just believe, and remember, He’s not done yet!

Rise Up and Build!

 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, "Let us rise up and start rebuilding." So they began this good work. (Nehemiah 2:18, NIV)

Beautiful One, do you know how to navigate? Better yet, youe know what the term even means?

Navigate means to make ones way over or through. That is a very interesting definition considering that in our Christian life, many of the trials we endure are usually won by going through them to get over them.  

Nehemiah was a man who didn’t allow his circumstances to defeat him. Nehemiah saw that the city walls were broken down, and instead of sitting around and being discouraged about it and agreeing with the problem by talking about how terrible it was, he took action. He used his position with the king as an influence to find favor and rally support to fulfill the burden God placed in his heart. Nehemiah didn’t just want to do something, he actually did something. He didn’t just think about it, he did as he thought.

I wonder how much we could actually get done if we had this same attitude? I wonder how many lives we could touch if we would just lose our appetite for thinking and do something. How many lives could we touch by just touching one life? The Bible says that anyone can steer a ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course.

God blesss what we do, moreso than what we just think about.

How many times have we lost focus on the fact that Gods purpose for us being here is to offer comfort, and make any arena we are placd in, a place of power and influence? How many of us have the ear of a king and we fail to speak in it?

After Nehemiah went to the king and found favor to go about the plans for rebuilding, he was  then joined by others who were inspired to follow him in his work; “... so they said, let us rise up and build.” Then, they set their hand to do this good work. “

I think it is time to follow the direction the Lord has placed in our hearts; it is time to rise up from these ashes of mediocrity and complacency, self doubt and unbelief and build up the Kingdom of God and set our hand to do this good work. It is time to make our way over and through- to navigate through the issues of life.

I heard a wonderful person once say: "Everything you need is in the house." It is the same with us. We are children in God's house. So, let's get busy -- do something -- and let's rise up and build.

Beautiful One, just believe!

 

Answering Our Critics

 

Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” ( Mark 3:20-21 NIV)

Beautiful One, have you ever faced opposition? Not just any opposition, but the unexpected kind  from an unlikely source? How many times have people in your personal circle opposed you because they thought your decisions were wrong?

These are viable questions, and ones that we, as followers of Jesus, will have to face at some point in our lives. What do you do when a close friend or family opposes you? Oftentimes, when we answer our critics, we engage in discussions and defenses that easily lead to hostile relationships. These reactions are usually responsible for such things like church splits, job losses, broken relationships and severed family ties.    

I experienced a situation once where someone questioned a choice I had made. Because they were looking at appearances only, and not understanding my heart, they didn't like what I had done. Maybe to them my choice didn’t make any sense. But, just because they felt differently about it did not make my choice any less right.

Beautiful One, opposing views are going to have a voice in your life. Young and old, male or female, we will all encounter opposition - and some of it is going to be from the least expected people such as fellow church-going siblings and (the harshest critics of all) family members.

Jesus was about his Father's business, doing things people had never seen or heard of before. He boggled their minds. Even Jesus' own family members thought He had lost his mind.

But why?

Because Jesus was doing something they wouldn’t have done, and it was foreign to them. They had unknowingly put God in a box, and when Jesus climbed out of it, they didn’t know what to do!

How many times have we looked at another’s situation, and thought we had an edge on the holiness corner? How many times have we been guilty of looking at outward appearances of others, without understanding that full truth, or choosing to think that their heart may still be right?

Jesus' family didn’t understand that God was doing a new thing, and that He was going to use a new method for the same message. Each one of us is unique and created equal. Yet, God deals with all of us differently. God's path for me will look different than His path for you.

But as long as each of us stays closely connected to the One -- the One who paved the road before us -- we will land on our feet. Despite the opposition and despite the critics, we must keep doing what Jesus did when he faced opposition: He stayed the course; He ran his race, and in his lane. Most importantly, He answered his critics not in word, but in deed.

And He finished his race.
 
Beautiful One, Just believe, and walk on!

 

Not Now, but Hereafter

 

Jesus answered and said unto him, "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter" (John 13:7 KJV).

Beautiful One, have you ever gone through something that, at the time, made no sense at all? Do you know what it is to struggle and squirm, or feel dumbstruck how certain events are playing out in the symphony of your life?

What I love about Jesus is that, 2000 years ago, when He was about his Father's business, He was also about yours and mine. Jesus not only taught principles for the people of his time, but He took the time to teach a lesson that you and I would apply to our life and time.

Jesus was relevant, yesterday, and today, and will continue to be hereafter!

Most of the time Jesus taught principles, and I love that He used illustrations. He didn’t just talk, He gave people something to see. I do far better in my learning, when I can actually see how it’s done, rather than just being told what to do.

Jesus understood that the more people know, the better they will do. They will be armed with not just sight, but vision.

When Jesus got up from his last supper, and  washed the Disciples feet, He was also sending a powerful message to you and me for hereafter!

“What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter,” Jesus told his friends. In other words, "You will not understand why I am doing this to you now; it will make no sense. But hereafter, you will completely get it."

Beautiful One, have you ever known God was doing something with you, in and around you, and yet didn’t have any understanding as to why, or how this could be important?

The Disciples were his closest companions; they knew Jesus. But His ways were not their ways. Then afterwards -- when Jesus left them -- everything Jesus had shown them started to make sense. And, when the Disciples had to walk their faith out, they surely realized that all the illustrations Jesus used were weapons they could use in the battle of life.

Beautiful One, the Lord knows we may not understand why we lost a job, or our marriage. Maybe, we have lost loved ones along our way, or our reputations; maybe we lost all even after we tried to do everything right.

No matter what we face, it is okay if we don't understand it. If the Disciples didn’t, and Jesus admitted they wouldn’t, should we be any different? But, once the storm passes, after the court case is closed, or the problem resolved and after the sun starts to shine, we will have our understanding! And not only will we have understanding, but we will be fully armed, stronger and wiser.  

Beautiful One, we may not understand all the things the Lord has taken us through, but hold on! There is a purpose for everything under the sun, and later we will be able to say, "I am still standing, hereafter!"

Beautiful One, just believe.

 

When The Bell Rings

 

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:37 NIV). 

Beautiful One, are you a fighter? May I suggest that in our Christian walk we need to be. Sometimes, when challenges ride into our lives like a tsunami, we need to grab our armor, and use that fighting spirit God has already deposited into us.

A fighter is defined as: A person who does not easily admit defeat in spite of difficulties or opposition, one who fights as a warrior or soldier.

Sometimes we look at others and think that they are mighty in the Lord, and that we are just meeker, or more of a gentle spirit; that fighting isn't in us.

But the truth is, you and I are fighters. Plain and simple. Life and people will uppercut, and hit us below the belt. And we will come to a defining moment: Will we stay down for the count, or with everything in us, get back up?

Beautiful One, there is nothing that can happen to us, that surprises God. Wouldn't it be awful if we said to God, "I can't believe this happened!" and He replied, "Yeah, me too." It is more than wonderful that God has already deposited a resiliency and strength to conquer and overthrow any obstacle in our path. The battle has already been won!

The Warrior Within

 

"If you have raced with mere men on foot, and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble and fall on open and safe ground, how will you manage in the thickets of Jordan? Your brothers, your own family members have turned against you, they have raised complaints against you. Do not trust them, though they speak well of you." (Jeremiah 12:5-6 NIV)

Beautiful One, have you ever raced with men who have worn you out? Not just any men, but confidants, spiritual siblings, co-workers, husbands, and wives and even children. Do you know what it is like to share your life -- and open your heart --just to have your kindness trampled underfoot?

Jeremiah understood this, and perhaps you too understand the pain this passage speaks of. This was the Lord's answer to Jeremiahs suffering. Jeremiah cried unto the Lord, "Why has this happened, why have you sent me here with a purpose and a plan, and why have I been rejected and torn to pieces?"

It always amazes me the way the Lord deals with His children. He is tender, yet in our darkest hour, when tears streamline down our face, He speaks a word not justto our pain, but to the warrior within us.

What If

 
"Our worst fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God; your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. - Nelson Mandela

Beautiful One, have you considered the ‘what ifs’ in life? Not in the way of worrying, but more like what if a certain thing hadn't happened, or a person hadn't chosen to resist to defeat and push on towards victory?

Did Michael Jordan believed his high school coach when he said he was a terrible player and had him cut from the team?

In his early years, teachers told Edison he was "too stupid to learn anything." Work was no better, he was fired from his first two jobs for not being productive enough. As an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. What if he hadn't tried just one more time?

Everyday

Beautiful One, there are things in life which happen that make sense, and things that do not make sense. Life is a funny that way. Sometimes, you learn to find your voice, and sometimes life silences it. While we are all in this together -- men, women, and children -- we have also come from different places, near and far. We hold different values and beliefs. Some of us are Christian, and some of us are not.

But, we all need air to survive, and food and water to live. We walk on the same dirt, feel the same sun, and each are given the same amount of time in a day. Life is a series of events of things that happen each and every day that make us who we are. But, it is up to us to make the decisions that will bring about God's best for us amidst th diversity.

Everyday, someone is born, and someone dies. We birth a dream, and another dream fades. Every day, someone laughs while another cries. Someone finds faith, while another one loses theirs. Every single day, one half of the world goes to bed full, while the other half goes to bed hungry.

A New Creation

"So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him" (Jeremiah 18:3 NIV).

Beautiful One, have you ever been through a crisis or even a series of events that have changed your life forever? These events make us wake up and see that we are not the same person we were yesterday. Sometimes, upon this realization, it becomes the most frightening day of our existence. 

What make this so frightening is that we don't know how to define ourselves anymore. Everything we used to be, all that we knew, is different. It's  as if an innocence of optimism and the comfort of familiarity, is gone.

There are certain things that happen in life that blindside us. We start out one way, only to find we have landed somewhere completely opposite than expected.

I have been there, and I find myself having to start from ground zero. This is when I have to rummage through a mountain of a mess just to find myself. Yet now, I'm in an even more difficult position, because the knowledge of  the pain I have experienced clouds my future potential and hope.

Exceptional Living

 

Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom (Daniel 6:3, NIV).

Beautiful One, have you ever been known for something exceptional? Has the word exceptional ever described you? More importantly, do we really understand what the word exceptional means?

To be exceptional means: To be better than average: superior, deviating from the norm. Exceptional also means to be excellent, or something wonderful.

Beautiful one, in a world that screams for us to conform to the norm by day, but whispers disingenuous lies about our faith at night, how can we be exceptional people?

The hard truth is that there is a lot of thought and care that must first be wrestled with in the recesses of our minds. For some of us, it might take a lot of attention because we are so conditioned to focus on others, or the cares of this world, that we miss opportunities hidden deep within us which can help us be exceptional.

Extraordinary Living

 
What is extraordinary?

Beautiful One, have you ever wondered what makes certain people extraordinary? Do these people have a special formula? Or, have they simply gone the extra mile to get ahead? Sometimes it is easy to see others' accomplishments and think that their greatness is an inherent trait. But often, this just isn't the case. We have to remind ourselves that these people have obstacles and challenges too ... but work diligently to overcome them.   

Extraordinary people have extraordinary problems. They are no different than you and me. Look at the people God used in the Bible. Each of these people faced insurmountable trials and troubles.But what made them extraordinary was their response. Each person was exceptional in their efforts and victories. From Gideon, king David, the Apostle Paul and  even Jesus, they all had extraordinary experiences that they not only faced, but dealt with.

The extraordinary thing about each of them, was that they did not allow their circumstances to define who they were. Each one faced tribulations. Each were called and chosen by God for a specific purpose, and each one at one time or another, wanted to give up. But they didn't.

How to be extraordinary

The definition of extraordinary is: beyond what is usual, ordinary or regular; exceptional in character. The extraordinary do not give up, they take the bruises and the bumps. They fall down, yet they also get back up, regardless of feelings or circumstances.

Learning to Give and Take the Right Way

"Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain" (Exodus 20:7 KJV).

Beautiful One, have you ever misused the name of the Lord? Though some of us may never take God's name in vain, or even think of swearing with it, there is more to this commandment than meets the eye. 

According to the Hebraic definition for vain, it means to misuse the name of the Lord. It goes on to explain that if we use it in vain, we too become useless, empty and figuratively worthless.

Wow, who would've imagined that? As followers of God, taking His name in vain is like misusing our talents, or choosing not to help others. Are we even attempting to share what God has given to us, and freely lend out what has been freely given? Or, are we just wasting our days, hoping someone else will do it tomorrow?

Beautiful One, are we takers? 

Taking from Jesus

Jesus encountered takers while here on earth. They took his fish and two loaves. They took his wisdom, forgiveness and healing. They took his life; torturing it before they ended it. They even took his friends and did to them, what they did to him. They took all the benefits he freely gave, and in return, gave back nothing but grief.

It is incomprehensible that the Son of God had to listen to jeers and angry screams up until the final moments before he died. He endured bitterness from the very ones who took the most from him.

Letting Go of Betrayal

 

 ~Anything may be betrayed, anyone may be forgiven, but not those who lack the courage of their own greatness.~ Ayn Rand

Beautiful One, do you have the luxury of ignorance? Or, have you experienced a betrayal that goes down to the very essence of who you are?

Recently, my son and I watched the movie Social Network. It is about the founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg. The movie focuses on his integrity --or lack of it -- and whether or not he stole the idea of Facebook from his unassuming Harvard peers, the Winklevoss brothers.

In the movie, it clearly plays out that the Winklevoss brothers approached Mark Zuckerberg about an idea for a social networking site. The brothers needed a skilled person to step in and help coordinate their plans. Mark verbally agreed to come aboard. As the weeks passed, he kept the brothers at bay, pretending to help them develop their network, yet all the while, stealing their idea to build and publish his own site first. 

When the brothers found out, they went to the head of Harvard to complain, hoping for help. Instead he told them: "You're rich, get over it. Invent something new." Meanwhile Mr. Zuckerberg, prospered and became a famous entreprenuer -- much to the chagrin of the Winklevoss brothers.

After the movie, my son and I discussed the events. I felt badly for the Winklevoss twins. To have an inspiring idea, work hard on it, share it with a trusted person and have them steal it from you -- while pretending to be your ally -- was something I felt strongly against. 

We Win!

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. (1 Peter 5:10 NLT)

Beautiful One, do you have what it takes to be all you were created to be? It's an honest question and if you answer quickly your answer may be, "Yes." But, if you take some time to think about it, you might run into trouble.

As Christians, many of us may mistakenly believe that as long as God is on our side, we win an easy victory! But, what happens when we know God is on our side, yet feel the sting of defeat? We will face discouraging challenges and sometimes they may cause us to whirl around in a dizzying cycle that seems impossible to break. 

There is a lot of chatter flitting around our Christian circles. Believers are famous for inspiring words encouraging each other to do great things for God. These types of messages are among my personal favorites. But despite all the positive words speaking to my spirit, I know that life's challenges will come in and try to choke the inspiration right out of my soul.

Because God Said So

     "Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6 NIV).

Beautiful One, do you know what time it is?

As we turn back the pages of time, we see that each generation had its own set of challenges. The world as we know it is no different; we are in turmoil set in motion by the challenges of our own day.

Peace eludes the Middle East; many countries are drowning in sickness and starvation. Women and children are brutally sold into slavery all over the world. And, whether we realize it or not, genocide still occurs in some nations.    

Right here in our own backyard, recession abounds. Discouragement has replaced feelings of security in many middle-class families while people pound the pavement  looking for employment. Those who are barely hanging on are starting to feel their strength crumble. Even those on governement assistance are struggling under the weight of our weak economy.

Relationships are suffering and families are falling apart. In times such as these, it's easy to forget to do one simple thing: just believe! All of today's the trials are enough to make anyone grow weary and give up. But have we forgotten what is impossible for man, shall be possible for God?

What Does a Christian Look Like? Part ll

Beautiful One, ask anyone what a Christian looks like, and the majority of the responses will be about outward signs and behaviors. But, no matter the response to this question, the fact remains that not one single answer can rightly define what a Christian looks like.

Being a Christian isn't about outward appearances, although outward changes are visible. But if being a Christian is about outward appearances, our Christian status is up to the interpretation of observers. What if someone misinterprets behavior? Or, what if someone who does good has an off day? Should their behavior disprove their Christianity?

Let's take a closer look.

Jesus said that they (the world) will know us as Christians by the love we have, one for another (John 13:34-35 NIV). The world will know, by love, not behavior modification. Do we realize that "right living" does not mean we are Christians? There are many people who do not believe in Jesus as Lord, but live and act more better than some Christians. I guess you could say, the proof is not always in the pudding; its in the love. It's in the heart. Being a Christian is not about our good works, it's about faith. Christianity is not about cleaning up your act, it is about a God who came down and already cleaned it up for you.

Now, don't let this confuse you, but faith without works is dead faith, so I am not saying don't try to live a life of integrity. We reach for the prize, we strive for excellence, it is our aim to grow, and being a Christian will produce a motivation within us to do right. It will also inspire us to work on changing things within ourselves. It's a life long process, and one that needs close connectivity to the outlet of the Father.

So many people, believers and non-believers have the idea that a Christian is one who is so good that they never fail, cheat, lie, steal, or have a bad day. The fact is, our position as a Christian is secure, but we will constantly wrestle with our condition, behaviors, and issues of life! Have you ever noticed when a Christian fails, people are right there during the lynching? They are judging, and even more angry at a Christian who falls, over any other person because they have a skewed imagination of what a Christian is supposed to look like.

Maybe Christ didn't get into the do's and don't s because he knew that being a Christian isn't defined by behaviors. Christianity is defined by love. We can see this with the Ten Commandments. I haven't met a person yet who has followed every one of them, have you?

The truth is, the whole Gospel is summed up with one word not a list: LOVE.

Love GOD. Love your neighbor and love yourself. That is it! Just think if everyone in the world would do this for just a day, how different our world would be. What if it was done for just an hour, do we realize the impact this would have and how many people would be changed, and helped if this were so?

Not everyone needs a prolific dissertation on the Scriptures, but everyone responds to love no matter who they are. God is love, and we are created in His image. The Bible says that love never fails. It may have its moments of pause, but genuine love is a sacrifice that never returns void.

Have you ever heard, "Love the sinner, and hate their sin?" I like to rephrase it, "Love the sinner, and hate our own sin!"

Beautiful One, it is possible to sit on the deck of Christianity, while below us is another who is tangled up in chains. It is possible to act unlovely while serving a lovely God. Aren't we all just a bunch of misfits working out our own salvation with fear and trembling? Even if some are good at not trembling in front of us, they still do it all the same.

Maybe we as Christians could better help the world understand us if we were real about some things. The one thing I continuously hear from non-believers is how phony and fake we are. Unfortunately, sometimes we can agree with them. The world will judge us more harshly because we get out there in front of them and tell them to come to Jesus and their life will be alright, while ours if you looked in the mirror has the same resemblance. 

Our marriages aren't any better and we have wayward, unruly children. Our debt and mismanagement suffocates our strength.  We lose jobs due to addictions, and our families suffer for our shortcomings. We have  the same relational problems just like the guy down the street and our tempers can flare sometimes more than our faith. The sun rises and sets on the just and the unjust, and at the end of the day can't we all just agree the only difference between us and the world is as Captain John Newton said;

"I am a great sinner, and Christ is an even Greater Savior!"

Beautiful One, just believe, and if you can say that, then you've answered the question; what does a Christian look like!

What Does A Christian Look Like?

Beautiful One, what does a Christian look like? I suppose the answer is not as simple as the question itself.

This last week I watched the drama unfold in the life of Mel Gibson. Like many others, I was somewhat dismayed and discouraged at the events surrounding him. The one thing I can safely say about Mr. Gibson's present circumstances, is, as awful as they may be, I despise the cycle he has gotten himself into more than his actions.

Beautiful One, many good people do bad things. The old line,"hurting people, hurt people," may sound like a cliche, but it is very true.

How can a Christian man who had been married for almost three decades, raised seven children, and produced a movie glorifying God (The Passion of the Christ), be sitting before us in the court of public opinion battling the woman who had a part (along with him) in destroying his first marriage?

How did this man get to where he is? Has the body of Christ yet endured another black eye?

If he were really a Christian, would he be in this mess? Is it possible to belong to the Lord while living a life that is a chaotic mess? Would a real Christian do and say hurtful things? The answer is yes.

An Empty Urn, or Fresh Cream?

Beautiful One, have you ever heard the saying, Perception is everything? Many of us have said it ourselves. But how often when we say things do we really take time to listen to ourselves? When was the last time you actually saw how you perceived things?

How we see ourselves, God, and others, will determine the level of victory we will attain in our daily lives. If we think less of ourselves than we should, we tend to attract others who see and treat us in that manner. If we don't think we deserve the best in life, there's a good chance it will elude us. And, if we get it anyway,  we will somehow push it away, because we don't see that we are worthy of it.

Recently the Lord used a habit of mine to teach me about my own perception. I am an avid Star Bucks iced coffee drinker. I confess that I make a minimum of three visits each day. I love the the drink and the whole experience of going into my neighborhood coffee shop, talking with the baristas and getting my iced cup of joe.  

Believe it or not, it never fails that when they hand me my iced coffee and I go over to the sugar and cream counter, the half and half urn is always empty. I kid you not! Without fail, it has become a long standing joke that when they see me coming, the baristas have to run to replenish the empty urn. 

The Poem

"It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishment the scroll. I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul" English Poet, W. E. Henley

Beautiful One, recently the movie, Invictus, came out. This movie is about Nelson Mandela, the President of South Africa, who was imprisoned for almost thirty years. Thirty years! He hadn't committed a crime; he was not violent, nor unjust. He simply believed in what he said, and was willing to take a stand. But, that stand cost him dearly. That stand landed him locked up behind bars for the better part of his life. Or, did it?

What could have destroyed this great man, actually made a good man, an even better man, and an even greater leader.

How is this possible? 

Early on, Mandela made the decision that although his body was locked up, there was something he possessed that no one could touch. It had no chains, not one single bar encased his most powerful ally--his mind.

Today, as well as in times past, two kinds of people are imprisoned. Those who deserve to be, and those who don't. Plain and simple.

Beautiful One, there are so many people who are paying heavy, because they carried life too lightly. For whatever reason they forgot life was beautiful, and meant to have meaning. Maybe no one bothered to love, teach, and guide them. They grew up embittered and calloused, and sought payback on the streets. Which among those in chains now,  valued the truth that actions do have consequences then? How many wasted their youth, fooled around, played by the fire and eventually got burned?

It is Possible.....

When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." "But sir," Gideon replied, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of the Midians." The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midians hand. Am I not sending you?"(Judges 6:12-14 NIV)

Beautiful One, in an unstable world full of uncertainty, how do we keep our head above the waters of life? The answer for Christians is an easy one: Jesus Christ! But, did you know you can be rooted in the Lord, and still feel like you are drowning? Did you know that head knowledge is completely different than heart knowledge? And, it is possible to have wounds within our minds that go deeper than the faith within our hearts.

It is possible, to believe pain more than to believe God!

What makes this statement true is that sometimes we feel God evades us. But, there never seems to be a shortage of pain, adversity, and hardship; they like to surprise us from around every corner of life. After turning enough corners, you realize that in order to get passed them, you must first go through them.

It hardly seems fair, especially if you have encountered many hardships in life. Sometimes, you can look around and think things could be worse; other times you realize things could be a whole lot better!

As you look back over the pages of life, it's easier to identify the defining moments in your life; places where choices were made, offenses occurred, and successes had their moments! But, why is it that we are so easily derailed and stalled by the wounds of life? Is that what we really want? Personally, I don't believe any sane person wants to be tormented and plagued by their pain. But sometimes when the pain is great, it's easier to not take that risk and believe for something better.

It is so much easier to not have any expectation, than to have one, and have it elude you.

It's so much easier to not do anything, than to do something and have it all fall apart, again.

Beautiful One, it's easier, but it's a lie!

When times of turmoil hit our homes and pierce our very hearts, we face a defining moment! We may despise the trial, shed buckets of tears, and act foolish in the process. But it's OK so long as we keep going, never give up hope, and believe for something greater than we could imagine!

When Gideon was in a cave hiding from the Mideanites, God came to him. God told him to get up and out of the cave, and go! He had a job for Gideon. But, Gideon, by his own admission was afraid, alone, and worn out. All he could see was his pain. He loved the Lord and knew all about God's strength and might. But, Gideon also knew the pain of oppression and injustice, because they stood on the corner in his life and daily called his name.

Facing Enemies

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel. (Genesis 3:18 NIV)

Have you ever been attacked by enemies? It is hard to understand unprovoked attacks and even harder to reconcile why they sometimes continue without end. No matter how much good you try to do, the enemies simply won't be satisfied until they see you destroyed. This may seem harsh, but the truth is this happens to many good people. It happens in families, on the jobs and yes, even in our churches. No one is immune to the disease of evil, and I believe that Christians face more enemies than most.

The Bible tells us that "all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28 NIV). But, we often think that in order for something to turn out for our good, it will all be good in the process. My friend, this is where the lines get blurred. God says, "all things work together for the good of those who are the called according to God for his purpose." It doesn't say, all things will be good to work out for good. 

Today, I am reminded of the Chief Priest Caiaphas. This man was largely responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus. If you are acquainted with Christ's betrayal, you know that Scripture clearly tell us  "that no man took Jesus life, He himself laid it down" (John 10:18). But, a process was in place in order for the "cross' to become a reality. The night Jesus was handed over, an evil plot was dispatched against him. He was falsely accused, no one wanted to hear the truth, even if they knew it themselves! Anyone who didn't stay silent and went to defend him, was quickly hushed up and hurried away.

HE Went Outside....

And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. (Hebrews 13:13 NIV)

Beautiful One, have you ever noticed that most of Jesus' ministry was done out-of-doors? He traveled to many places teaching and bringing good news, but most of his ministry was done outside of the temple.

The House Of The Lord or Church as we call it today, is a wonderful place. If you have ever been active in a specific church you have probably discovered how special it is to belong and to connect with the Lord and His children. However, for many people the church has brought many sorrows. The place where many seek refuge has, instead, repelled others! Some will never recover from the wounds inflicted within those walls, and, may I say, this should never be.

Not on our watch! 

I currently work at a resort and encounter hundreds of people. Before this job I was in full-time ministry. It's safe to say that I'm a people person, and I encounter many from different backgrounds, religions, and varied social classes along the way.

Conflict-The God Kind!

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine." (Isaiah 55:8 NLT)

Beautiful One, there is something wondrous about life; something beautiful and worth having. However, life is sometimes painful and hard to figure out. It can leave us scratching our heads.

If you're reading this, you have life. Maybe you have lived long enough to realize that this simple four letter word, L-I-F-E, is not so simple. I sat down today and happened to skim through the pages of my son's world history book and realized that mans history has a common thread running throughout the annals of time . . . conflict!

Conflict handled inappropriately has caused dissension and strife in the lives of people throughout the ages. Conflict is not necessarily a bad thing and can even be healthy if handled properly and with respect.

Be Real

You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted. You encourage them, and you listen to their cry. (Psalm 10:17 NIV)

Beautiful One, did you know that the Bible is relevant and full of real LIFE? Skim through it's pages and you will find, comedy, drama, suspense, crime, and action. From one chapter to the next, you never know what a character will do or say.

What gives me great hope is that I find the Bible to be real. The issues that people dealt with throughout the pages of history are not so different from what we face today. Take a good look and you will find betrayal, adultery, murder, rape, lies, and addiction, just to name a few.

What I find so interesting is that some of those issues came straight from the Holy people that we revere and respect today. Look at Abraham; he took another woman into his bedroom because his wife was too impatient to wait on God's promise for a child.

Noah, was a man of integrity and uprightness who God told to build a ship and even gave him the blueprints. Yet after this great work, we find him passed out in drunkenness and in a precarious situation with a family member.

Whatever Is!

Beautiful One, many of us have heard the words made famous by Doris Day, "Whatever will be, will be." Maybe you've spoken them yourself as if to tell yourself to accept things that are out of our control. However, may I suggest that we don't settle in life for such a fate and, instead, focus on what truly determines our outcome? . .  that whatever God says IS, will be.

How many times have we encountered hardship and, because we did not deal with it effectively, found ourselves silently succumbing to the lie that we have not control and things won't change? That is very easy to do and, when the battle is long and hard, it takes a toll. One day we find that our faith has been seared, our trust is gone, and we cannot imagine things being any different then our circumstances dictate.

Beautiful One, may I encourage you with this: Hard times, long battles and, yes, even doubt and fear have a purpose. When we are spiritually and emotionally empty and have nothing left inside, that is when God does some of his best work. Sometimes in order for us to truly live, we have to die to everything we have known or experienced up to that point.

In Case You Didnt Know

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 NIV)

Beautiful One, how many times have you heard that God loves you?  And, out of all those times, have you thought, Really? Then, why am I going through this?  When that question arises it is often because we are experiencing a difficult season. Troubling times can make us question God, Do you really love me? 

But, did you know you can love God and still question His love for you? You can have an innate desire to follow him, yet struggle in your efforts to follow Him. This can cause ripples in your spiritual life that, in your mind, create conflict in your relationship with God.

For most of us, it's part of the process: Trouble, doubt, and shortcomings all play a part in the production of us!  And, if we can be real and not put on a facade to impress others, God will use all of us no matter who we are. He will turn what we've been through around and use it for something good. In fact, the bigger the mess He has to work with, the greater the message of how awesome He is will be!

When Loving God Hurts, Is When Loving God Matters the Most....

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18 NIV)

Beautiful One, what happens to us when we've been through a crisis and we weren't completely healed  from it and tried to move on? But, while moving on we end up making huge mistakes along the way due to our lack of healing. 

Have you ever done something you never thought possible? Have you ever denied and violated your own principles and beliefs? Maybe no one knows about it; only you and God. But, because you've done it, you feel like you don't deserve God's grace and love even though you basked in it previously. Maybe a voice continually whispers, "You knew better, now you've done it!" So you allow the pain to fester. You silently suffering while going about life still trying to do the best you can.

Beautiful One, your forgetting something. Your best will never be good enough, just like your worst will never be so bad, that you can't recover. Sometimes being a Christian hurts. We have unspoken expectations of ourselves, God, and others. When met with any challenges that questions these expectations, it causes us to fear that it's all not as good as we thought. Our hope and confidence fades while pain takes its toll and we become weary.

Detours, Determination and Destiny

Beautiful One, have you been cruising along the freeway of life and suddenly found yourself on an unexpected detour? When detours arise without warning, it is hard to react quick enough to get back on track; we just hold and hope for the best.

Detours, bumps in the road, and even road blocks happen to everyone. Some are foreseeable and we can sometimes avoid them. However, there are obstacles that come out of nowhere like the loss of a job, physical or mental abuse, an affair, or even illness. Maybe a loved one dies. Maybe you woke up one day and realized you're addicted. These are just a few of the unexpected detours that insert themselves into our lives.

These sudden back roads can be painful and difficult to recover from. It doesn't help that we alienate ourselves from others. Systematically we push others away as the pain festers within because we feel afraid and misunderstood. Slowly but surely we become the product of complacency, tolerance and indecision. As time passes, we become so familiar on our detoured route that even if we wanted to make a turn for the better, the fear is so great within us, that we opt to stay in our misery.

According To God

Beautiful One, yesterday is gone, tomorrow has yet to arrive, here we are in today! Today, let's diminish the lies, cast off the regret, and determine in our hearts to be all we were created to be. Whether we win or lose in life does not matter; it's how we play the game that defines who we are . . . according to God!

I am amazed at the many goals and expectations the New Year tempts us to set. We are more inclined to make new goals and set fresh standards in January more than at any other time. What fascinates me is that even though this can be a good thing, it can also be an easy recipe for failure. What often happens is that if we lacked discipline in the previous year, we will probably struggle with it in a new year. Our goals and resolutions sound great and invigorate our hearts and minds, but just because it is January 1 of a new year, doesn't mean discipline automatically enters the picture.

This is just one example illustrating how we tend to think and operate in our daily lives; we start out committed and excited, then life happens. Work, kids, bills, you know . . .  life! Slowly and unintentionally our resolve starts wane and all our good intentions fly out the window. It's as if we think that just by setting goals, we will automatically attain them without any effort.

Beautiful One, I'm not saying we should not try new things or attempt to better ourselves; absolutely! try it, but start small and build from there. We need goals; we need fresh perspective in our lives.

However, what we need more than anything is a renewed mind; free of worry and doubt, but refueled with the Spirit. A mind that is at peace with God, so in return we will have peace within ourselves. In order for us to embrace a new beginning, we need to free our hearts and our minds from all the old things. Today is a new day, and the things that worked against you are old. God has something new to lay hold of and we simply cannot embrace it if our minds are already full of old stuff that needs renewal.

Celebrate!

But now, this is what the LORD says—  he who created you, O Jacob, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;  and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43: 1-7 NIV)

Beautiful One, here we are in the middle of the holiday season; its arrival may have surprised some of us. Christmas is a beloved time of year. We celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior as we gather together with family and friends. It is a season of giving to others and celebrating the culmination of every good thing in our lives. But, truly . . . how are you feeling?

For many, Christmas is a time filled with deep sadness. For those who are disconnected and displaced from friends and loved ones, this time of year can actually be depressing. Maybe painful memories fill the air instead of holiday cheer.

Beautiful One, we tend to be more sensitive to the reality of mishaps and misfortunes in our lives this time of year. Maybe it's because it is appropriate to spend time with our loved ones, or the individual expectations that everyone seems to have. But, what if your family is at odds? Pride and bitterness fill the punch bowl, and all who partake of the misery are tainted in some way. It can be stressful, if not explosive!

Eve, A Crowned Jewel

Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. (Genesis 4:8 NIV)

Beautiful One, what happens when someone's actions are hurtful, and their consequences affect you directly? What happens when a child, spouse, parent, or sibling does the unthinkable? How do we move forward when the pain holds us back?

I have spent a lot of time thinking about Eve, the first woman. In my opinion she is the crown God placed upon creation. God formed and fashioned her according to his own image using a rib from the Adam, the first man. God didn't just call her out, He carefully and skillfully took his time with her. (I like to think that God saved the best for last.)

Eve was beautifully formed and chosen, given by God himself in the Garden Of Eden to be a companion and helper to her husband. Eve was fully equipped to provide Adam with love, companionship and the help he needed. I think we sometimes forget what an incredible treasure woman is.

Eve was created and existed in a beautiful place, but heartache and hardship were just around the corner.  Adam and Eve were banished from the lush garden when they disobeyed God said turned their ears to the voice of another.

Here Comes That Dreamer

"Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other. (Genesis 37:19 NIV)

Beautiful One, did you know that without a dream, your dream can't come true? And while were on the subject, since when do dreams know boundaries anyway?

We are rapidly approaching the end of another year. Maybe we started this year with great expectations. As we moved through the months maybe our expectations or goals encountered troubles that seemed to push us back and down. Whether we were setback or moved forward doesn't really matter. In the end, everything we encountered is all part of God's plan. Everything will work together and for our good. Imagine that! Think about it this way: setbacks are actually setups. Setbacks can be the very blueprints for our amazing comebacks. If we allow it, they can be the catalyst that ushers us into the very thing God had in store for us all along.

Beautiful One, we need to remember that God is in control at all times. The Bible clearly tells us that the steps of a man are directed by the Lord (Proverbs 20:24 NIV). So, if you have stepped into trouble somewhere along the way, be of good cheer! There has never been a step you have taken that God himself didn't already foresee and make provision for.

Water In The Pipe

Beautiful One, did you know that when enough pressure is applied to your life, you can break?
Even the most anointed, faith-filled, powerful people will break in extreme situations. The fact is: we all have a breaking point, and none of us knows where it is until we reach it.

The Bible is filled with stories of men and women just like us; they had desires and dreams, as well as weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and pain. What made these men and women notable in the history of Gods Word? What made these people catch the attention of God and stand out? Could it be that they just took him at his Word and believed Him? Is it really that simple?

Beautiful One, why is it when we encounter trying times that we so easily forget that there is nothing new under the sun? Our trials may be new to us, but the truth is that someone somewhere has walked through the same thing before us. We need to remember that our trials are our teachers and they are meant to define our faith, not destroy it.

When we examine the lives of great men and women, often times the things that made them great were not their successes. It was the perseverance they displayed against the enormous odds that they faced. They never gave up!

Beautiful One, let me remind you that there will be seasons in life where you will feel insurmountable pressure. There will be times when nothing makes sense, including God. Everything we thought we understood inexplicably escapes our grasp.

What's Stopping You?

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?"

"Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."

 Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk. (John 5:5-8 NIV) 

Beautiful One, do you know that in one day, something that has hurt you for years can turn around? In one hour, you can rise out of the ashes of adversity. The question is: do you believe it? Or has adversity tainted your faith and polluted your mind? Does blindness prevent you from seeing things the way they really are?

Beautiful One, do you want to be well?

Countless books have been written about Jesus. Who exactly was He? Scholars and theologians alike have given their insight about the most notable and famous man that ever lived. Even 2000 years later, when you mention the name of Jesus it can incite love and adoration, or disbelief and disregard. Many will fall somewhere in between the two scenarios. But, no matter what one believes about Jesus, there is no denying his influence upon this earth.

The Bible records Jesus three and half years of ministry. During those years, we can see a common thread. He came to help people, to change and make their lives better. He loved people no matter what they had done. In fact, the more things people had done to incur pain and chaos, the more attention and care Jesus showed them.

The Edge....

"I have had enough, LORD, take my life; I am no better than my ancestors"(1 Kings 19:4-5 NIV).

Beautiful One, did you know that you can be in love with God, following him, and still, have a broken heart?

Did you know it's possible to have friends and family that love you and yet be alone? Do you know what it is to experience without a doubt, God moving mountains and parting waters on your behalf, and still feel like giving up? Do you know what it is to be wandering around and not knowing which way to go? You just stay on the path and hope a turn is coming up somewhere.

Beautiful One, you are not alone. 

The edge is a place that many speak about. Many have said, "I am on the edge of a breakthrough!" However, others know the edge of no return. Life as we knew it, is gone. To go backwards would set us back. To just stop would paralyze us. And, to keep going would send us into the abyss of the unknown.

When you've reached the edge, you have experienced so many losses that you don't even care about winning. You just accept that is your portion in life and you eat spoonfuls of misery. And while something deep inside your soul groans, your heart is screaming don't give up!

Almost There....

When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."  (John 11:32 NIV)

Beautiful One, have you ever questioned God's sovereignty and been disappointed? Does God get any glory from things that don't happen? This may seem obvious but, when we walk through certain trials and tribulations, we sometimes question the Lord. Why did you let this happen, God? You could have prevented this or changed it.

Many Christians struggle with these questions. It's as if they are afraid to admit it, fearing they may appear to have a weak faith or no faith at all. In case no one told you, we all question God and He does not mind our questions. He created us to think and to problem solve. When an answer seems to escape us and, we turn to the One who knows it all. It is not a sign of struggling faith, but rather a genuine heart longing for a reason. If you didn't have faith you wouldn't even ask such things of God.

The Bible tells us that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. That means when we apply the soothing balm of faith to our problems, we can remove them. We know those words about faith are true, but what happens when the only thing your mountain does, is grow larger while still standing in your way?

Beautiful One, sometimes things happen that make absolutely no sense. Sometimes in the midst of turmoil, we think we've done something wrong; we think an attack came as a result of some failure on our part. This is not always the case; trouble sometimes shows up to divert your attention, and throw you off course. Why? Because you are so close to receiving God's promise of glory and honor in your life.

Don't give up, you're almost there!

In Our Town

If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother.  Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. (Deuteronomy 15:7-8 NIV)

Beautiful One, how open handed are you?

No matter where we go or what town we are in, we will encounter the poor. Whether we drive past them on a street corner, while vacationing, or walking to work, at some point we will encounter them.

There is no denying that the poor are among us.

No matter how secure we are in our comfortable lives (whether we live high up on a hill, or low in a valley) the truth remains that there is always a brother or sister in great need within our own backyards. What thought crosses your mind when you read their sign asking for help? How do they make us feel? . . . annoyed? angry? charitable? Maybe we judge them and find justifications as to why they are there.

As if we know.

Maybe we pretend not to see them. Do we dare make eye contact?

Beautiful One, suffering is so prevalent in our world and it can be overwhelming. We do our best as Christians to love people, serve in our churches, and give to ministries, and overall, many of us do try to make a difference.

Sometimes though, the places God directs us are not to the farthest regions of the earth, but right here, in our own town. I can support missionaries who go to Africa, but what am I doing to support the family that just lost everything down the street? What about that single mother I know who is raising her children by herself? Who is helping her children who are fatherless, and without their working mother fifteen hours a day? What about that homeless man who loiters the same street corner day after day? What am I doing to help ease his suffering? Oh that's right, I gave him a few bucks once. I felt really good about it  and then continued on my way.

Recently I went out of town for my birthday. I went to dinner and enjoyed walking the streets of the city I was visiting. As I walked a small, frail-looking man scurried past me; he headed straight towards a garbage can.

When God Walks In

"Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep?"(Job 38:16 NIV).

Beautiful one, think of all places your feet have taken you. Looking back from where you now stand, it's easy to see how far you've come. Now, ponder a moment the steps ahead. We cannot change our past, but we can take it step-by-step from this day forward. We can begin making the necessary changes and adjustments in our daily walk. To do so is to journey to a place much better than where many of us have been in our lives

Life. It is a strange four letter word.

Life can mean many things to many people, but we each have one. 

Skim through the pages of time, all of man's history has a common thread; a connection that binds human souls together. I may not have personally known the Apostle Paul, Moses, or Jacob, but I can connect to them through their pain and weakness.

Pain has a funny way of making friends. We will each encounter personal triumph, but it is mans weakness that brings us closer together. Pain and weakness if not dealt with properly, can alter the course of your life; stealing your hope, paralyzing your dreams, and rendering you ineffective.

Sometimes I read articles from the many talented and beautiful women I write with at Take Root and Write. I enjoy reading the fun things like cooking and beauty. Then I come back to my life and as I write, I realize that it is always to the broken, the bruised, and bleeding.

Get Rid Of It!

Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. (Mark 11:22 NLT)

Beautiful One, have you ever put your socks on, and slipped your feet into your shoes only to discover, you have a small pebble like object stuck in there too? Somehow, instead of just bending over and taking off your socks and shoe, which seems tedious at the time,  you think with some fancy footwork and skilled maneuvering you can somehow shift the pebble around to the side so you wont have to feel it anymore... Sounds good, but rarely does it work!

You manage to shift the small annoyance and go about your business. But, somewhere along the way the stone finds its way back to the bottom of your foot; it's not going to go away quietly. At this point you are totally inconvenienced and 'have to' bend over, take off both your shoe and sock, and remove the stone!

You could have done it sooner, but you chose not to.

Life can be like that. Sometimes issues start out like small stones; irritating. However, when left unattended they can easily turn into much bigger problems. In fact, just because we don't deal with them doesn't mean they aren't there. It just means that we ignore and avoid. But that doesn't stop the big white elephant from growing in the room. And, despite the blanket we throw over it, he is not going to go away. And that immovable stone becomes a boulder that eventually breaks everything it comes into contact with.

Beneath the Surface

Beautiful One, do you realize that no matter what's going on around you, it's what is going on within you that matters? Our external circumstances and the external picture that we portray to the world is not who we are. Who we are is who we are when we're alone; when no one is watching, applauding, or  disapproving.

Who we are is what is hidden deep within us, beneath the surface.

People, no matter their shape, color, sex, geographic location and, yes, even their religion, are what matters to God. We are His very heartbeat. We are what matters. We are what he uses. We are important and valuable.  We are hugely mistaken if we fail to recognize that people are what matters to God.

 The truth remains; Christ left His heavenly throne to die on a cross to redeem people. People matter to God. People is what He formed the earth for. God made the earth to be inhabited with His creation.

We work, we play, we go, go, go, yet, our relationships suffer. People that we work with receive the best of us while the people that we love, get leftovers. We go to church on Sunday, yet by Monday, we have already forgotten the great message about doing unto to others.

Do we understand that we all are in this life together? After this we are going to die. Yes, we will be with the Lord, but there is a reason that He destined and created us to be here on this earth.

Take A Hike

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:10 NIV)

Sir Edmund Hillary was the first man to climb Mount Everest. On May 29, 1953 he scaled the highest mountain then known to man-29,000 feet straight up. He was knighted for his efforts. 

He even made American Express card commercials because of it! However, until we read his book, High Adventure, we don't understand that Hillary had to grow into this success. You see, in 1952 he attempted to climb Mount Everest, but failed. A few weeks later a group in England asked him to address its members.

Hillary walked on stage to a thunderous applause. The audience was recognizing an attempt at greatness, but Edmund Hillary saw himself as a failure. He moved away from the microphone and walked to the edge of the platform.

He made a fist and pointed at a picture of the mountain. He said in a loud voice, "Mount Everest, you beat me the first time, but I'll beat you the next time because you've grown all you are going to grow... but I'm still growing!"

Not This Time!

I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all. (Ecclesiastes 9:11 NIV)

Beautiful One, does it ever seem like the same people and events surround your life? You've walked through certain things at various times in your life, and even though you overcame, they still pop up from time to time? It's almost as if they are there to make you go backwards; to derail you from your destination.

As we look back on these places, a sense of pride swells in us. Not for anything we have done, for if God didn't lend us a hand, we never would have made it. Nevertheless, there is always a choice involved on our part. God provides the help, but we have to determine in our hearts that where we started is not where we are going to stay.

Beautiful One, life happens. We plan and prepare the best we can. Our values are molded and formed early on by our families. Some of us were misguided, but life happens anyway. Life has a way of interrupting and wreaking havoc in unexpected places.

Who among us hasn't been disappointed and let down? Who among us hasn't encountered heartache along the way? We all have! Some more than others, but in the end we each are responsible for learning and growing through our adversities. If we don't, we risk becoming stagnant, stale, and bitter as a result of them. This is no easy task. Especially when hardship and heartache have hit your house and you had nothing to do with it.

There's No Place Like Home!

Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head" (Luke 9:58 NIV).

Beautiful One, have you seen her?  She's the one with the disheveled appearance and the gaunt look on her face. She hasn't showered in days. She's the one who, when we go home at night, stands on a street corner holding her sign made from a box.

It reads: HOMELESS.

Beautiful One, have you seen her?

When I was a young girl I wanted to be Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. I absolutely loved her. I thought Dorothy was so beautiful with her brown hair and her blue and white dress. Not to mention those ruby red slippers! They were the most fabulous pair of slippers my eyes ever beheld. I had a pair, and I wore those shoes everywhere I went. In my imagination, I felt like a beautiful princess waiting for something magical to happen whenever I slipped my feet into them. I remember clicking my heels three times and saying, "There's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home."

Nothing magical ever happened. But I really did believe that there was"no place like home." But, what happens when you don't actually have a home? What happens when the only home someone has ever known is ripped away? What if home is such an  unhappy place and the pain is so great that one actually takes flight to escape? What happens when a home is nothing more than something that belongs to someone else?

Paid In Full

He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.
(Proverbs 19:17 NIV)

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school. He had only a dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water.

She thought he looked hungry so she brought him a large glass of milk.  He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?"

"You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness."

He said, "Then I thank you from my heart." As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was also stronger. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Years later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, he immediately rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.

That's Just the Way It Is.....

Two are better than one. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! (Ecclesiastes 4:10 NIV) word 953

Beautiful One, did you know that we were created for relationship? Relationships are designed to bring fulfillment, love, nurturing and strength to our lives. 

Sometimes our relationships are strong and thriving. And then, sometimes they are weak and unhealthy. Because of events, circumstances, character issues, and how well the people in the relationships are doing in their own personal life. These things are a huge consideration as to whether a particular relationship will grow and endure or wither and die.

What happens when a relationship has wounded you and left a gaping hole in your heart? Generally, these wounds aren't inflicted by strangers.True anyone can wound us, but I am talking about those closest to you.

Those that cheer for you in the stands as you run your race. You know whether your friends are cheering for you and chances are that you know how good it feels to have a captive audience encouraging you along your way.

You might also know what it is to not have had this; maybe your audience holds you captive! Maybe the ones who were supposed to protect and love you were the very ones who walked off and left you. Being affected by the "gift" of abandonment, you now approach every relationship through the lens of pain and mistrust. And because you weren't shown consideration, you don't believe you have any worth and therefore won't receive it.

YES, You Can....

 

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." (Numbers 13:20 NIV)

Beautiful One, did you know that it’s not who you are, but, who you think you are not that will alter the course of your life?

Let's face it. We all have issues. Some of us have a lot more issues than others. Because of the pain and pressure issues can bring, it can be so overwhelming and seem impossible to gain a victory.  

 

My friend, it is one thing to have an issue and it is another to let it have you.

 

Have you ever been identified by your issues? You don’t have a name anymore. You're a label. In this life we are going to face certain oppositions.  May I suggest to you that even though we may be hard pressed today, we don't have to stay that way.

The battle is fought and won in our minds. Perception is everything. It's not the problem that keeps us down; it's how we see ourselves in it. The Bible says; "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he"(Proverbs 23:7 NIV).

Protecting Against Satan

Then the Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. (Genesis 2:15 NLT)

Beautiful One, did you know that to offend means to cause difficulty, discomfort, or injury? To cause pain to. Offend means to cause one to sin or fall and  offend also means to violate a divine or moral law.

So, what do you do when you realize that you are being repeatedly and consistently offended and wounded? What do you do when you realize that a plot has been hatched against you? Ultimately the plot is to render you ineffective and separate you from your Father; to paralyze and to destroy you.

The plot is run by the CEO of Hell; a guy by the name of Satan. He is relentless in his pursuits and he doesn't play fair. He breaks all the rules, and he is cunning and crafty. He lies to and about you. He steals anything he can from you. And because of his nature, he will appear as something good and even wants to befriend you for a time. 

Beautiful One, this isn't new news. Evil has been in the world since the Garden of Eden. In fact, when God formed man and breathed the breath of life into him, evil was there.

I know it is not a popular subject to talk about and there are many opinions and beliefs about this subject. Even Christian' views differ. But the truth is, God has an enemy and so do we. The Bible speaks of Satan and calls him a roaring lion, accuser, adversary, and father of lies. Painting a descriptive portrait of the one we are dealing with, whether you believe in Satan or not, is not the issue. The truth remains that he is real and he is formidable. If you and I don't know who we are and what power we have in Jesus Christ, we will have a hard time escaping the devil's schemes.

Jumping Ship

But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. ( Matthew 14:27-29 NIV)

Beautiful One, did you know that there is a space called "doubt" when we move from our past to our future? Moving from what "was", to what "is" can be a difficult transition. That five-letter word, doubt, can creep in and cause a lot of turmoil in our lives.

In Hebrews 11:1, it is written that "...faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." But how is it that when we try to walk by faith, the things that we see are the things we think have all the substance?

Beautiful One, faith is not faith until it is challenged. If nothing ever challenges you or brings a question mark to mind, then it is nothing more than blind faith. How will we know what our faith is made of unless doubt shows up and shakes it to the core?

Life has a way of just happening. Things that you never imagine, happen! 

These unwanted issues are a fact of life. None of us is spared. As sure as we draw breath, we will experience a double-edged sword of faith and fear operating as one and piercing our lives.

The good news is, even if fear is present, our faith can be bigger than our fear. The not so good news is, in order for our faith to rise to the occasion, we are going to have to exercise it. Exercise is not fun at first, especially if were not used to it. It takes time and practice before we see the desired result burst forth. Just as exercise takes perseverance and action, so does our faith. There is hard work and sweat involved. The question is: Are we going to stick with it, even when we don't feel like it? At some point,  we're going to have to look fear square in the eye and say, "I may see, feel, and hear you, but I'm going to do whatever it takes to do whatever it takes to stare you down . . .regardless of how feels.