The Death That Brings Victory!

How can death bring us victory?  Just look at the Cross of Calvary, without Christ's death on the Cross there would be NO victory over sin, death , hell and the grave.  Well, of course His resurrection brought about the victory but without His death there would have been no reason for His resurrection! 

Christ has conquered our greatest two enemies, Satan and sin!  So we can just sit back on our laurels and coast into heaven right?  WRONG!  We still battle our flesh.  Yes we live by faith but we still have to strive against sin and our flesh.  Dying to self  is so HARD!  I truly believe it's easier to die to what we consider "big" sins, than it is to die to "little" sins.  Which by the way aren't "little" in God's sight.  Those habits & hang-ups we have grown accustom to living with have to go!  The ways we have learned to respond & react to situations and others is one of the hardest things to die to. Why, because they are rooted in pride!

While we do have a race to run, and we do have an enemy to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and our testimony and yes,  in the end we will see the victory;  it is not without a cost to SELF.  Self has to die in order that we may truly live in Christ!  It is called sanctification.  It is an on-going process from the time we are born again until we see Jesus Christ face to face.  If you don't believe me go read Romans 6 the entire chapter.  We are called to be warriors over our flesh.  To not let sin master us.  To no longer offer our bodies as instruments of unrighteousness but to present our bodies as instruments of righteousness.  That my friends takes work on our part.  Paul uses lots of athletic terms to describe the Christians walk with the Lord; words like: striving, fighting, running.   So,  indeed it takes effort, energy and exertion to embrace this abundant life Jesus promised to those who would love Him and obey Him.  God keeps reminding me to crucify the I.  I actually see the word C R U C I F Y with the "I" crossed out in my minds eye and it always grabs my attention. I guess He really wants me to understand that in order to live in the "resurrection power" He used to bring His Son back to life I must first learn to die!

Thankfully, Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith if we keep our eyes on Him (the prize) we will overcome and victory is ours! Thank you Jesus. The truly Victorious One!

In the shadow of the Almighty,

Renee

The Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction!

Did you know sharing the truth with someone even while done in love can indeed be stranger than fiction? 

I had a phone call this week and the  conversation was about the person trying to find God's direction and will for their life.  This  person professes to be a believer in Christ but has lived in an immoral lifestyle for several years. This person called me, I didn't call them.  So,  I listened with compassion and did not sit in judgement or condemnation of this person, that's not my job nor is it my desire.  My heart aches for this person because I have watched them live their life according to their own terms for decades and it always ends up in disaster & destruction!  God's word tells us, "there is a way that seems right to a man but the end is destruction."

At the end of our conversation I gently and lovingly pointed this person back to God's word, reminding them that we can't live outside of God's will, word and way and expect Him to direct our path or pour His blessings out on us. If we are His children He has a plan for us to follow and it is in His word and in following Christ Jesus daily.  I reminded them that unlike us God is Holy and Righteous.  He can't bless a sinful lifestyle.  The way back into His arms is through repentance and turning from that old lifestyle trusting Him to make a way to get back into right fellowship with Him.  For God to bless a life that lives in blatant disobedience to His word would be like a parent rewarding their child's bad behavior.  Any good parent knows rewarding bad or sinful behavior is very damaging to that child's heart and could very well damn them to hell!  It's a serious matter.  God is the perfect parent.  God is a good parent.  He is not going to give us something that would harm us.  He does want to bless His children but many times we miss out because we are rebellious and want what we want, when we want it and the way we want it.  We seem to want to go around His holiness yet, still live in His "good graces". 

I told this person how gifted God made them, how I respected their ability to step out without fear to try new things, something I have to work at.  I in no way condemned them but only spoke the truth in love, in hopes that the hearer would get it.  The moment I spoke truth into this person's life, the conversation ended.  I mean it ended FAST!   It's OK for me to sit on the phone with you for an hour and listen to your life, to hear you go on and on about what you might need to do,  or what God wants for your life but the minute I speak truth into your world of fiction,  you suddenly have to hang up the phone. 

It seems that the old saying, "truth is stranger than fiction" is indeed true.  Truth can be painful and the realization of truth is hard because it means we will have to do something that will require us to admit we are wrong and GOD is right!   I know it's hard, but I truly believe God loves us so much He wouldn't dare bless or direct us if we aren't willing to listen to His word and desire to walk in obedience to the basics of our faith.  It broke my heart that this person couldn't or wouldn't recognize truth for what it was.  It seems this person enjoys revealing all the drama in her life that is mostly created by her willful choices yet doesn't want to change it. 

Einstein once said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".  This person wants to pull you into her sickness but when you hold out the antidote for this disease she refuses to take it and refuses to make a move in God's direction.  She prefers to live a life not based on the truth of God's word but one she has invented, a life based on fiction. We can't bring God down to our standards of living.  He set the standard and it's holiness!  That's why He sent His perfect Son into the world.  Christ came to die on the Cross of Calvary for our sins, was buried and  on the third day ROSE from the grave to give us eternal life, the abundant life in Himself.  Salvation is a free gift of grace, but living out our salvation in fear and trembling requires spending time at His feet, hearing His voice, allowing Him to direct our footsteps.  His ways are best.  We have to put our hand in His and walk forward in childlike faith.  We have to love Him more than our own self. I hope I don't sound judgemental well to some I'm sure I do.  I haven't judged her I know who the true judge is and that is not my job.  As a fellow sister in Christ there are times when if we truly love someone like Christ does we will say hard things but not in a harsh way and always with the motive and intent of helping not hurting them.  I think she knows I care and love her, at least I hope she does?   

Praying to the One who is ABLE, He is the revealer, He is the only one who can convict us and comfort us.  Praying God will lead this person to His truth and they will respond with Yes Lord, You are right. 

Trusting Him for the results, 

Human Trafficking could be in your own back yard?

So grateful for our local newspaper publishing an article I wrote on the subject of human trafficking.  Here is the link if you care to read it.  "Education is the key and knowledge if power".  What we don't know can hurt us.  http://www.easternwakenews.com/2012/02/12/15239/point-of-view-human-trafficking.html

Delight in God's Word

This morning I was teaching Mikayla my 7th grader how to study God's word using the 3 pt. method.  I learned how to "hear God's voice" in my personal quiet time years ago through a wonderful community bible study me and my kids were involved in.  I will be forever grateful for those years of training & giving me the "tools" I needed at that time to dig deep for myself.  There comes a time in your walk with the Lord that you must begin to wean yourself off the milk and begin to feed yourself solid food.  If you always rely on the pastor, teacher or small group leader to feed you,  your spiritual growth will be stunted to say the least. 

We were comparing God's word to a seed & discussing how a seed needs to be planted in nutrient rich soil, given fresh water and sunlight for it to take root and begin to spout.  There are many ways for a plant to begin to grow roots and to sprout but eventually to produce fruit or flowers they need to be transplanted outside at the right time to get the appropriate amounts of nutrients, water and sunlight.  So what does that have to do with teaching a child bible study?  It's the same way with our spiritual growth or the study of God's word.  There are many ways to study God's word.  No one method is better than another, it just depends on where you are in your walk with the Lord.  A baby christian needs to be nurtured and taught how to drink the milk of God's word before they begin to cut their teeth on the meat.  Discipleship takes patience and shoving a 7 course meal down the throat of a baby could cause them to choke.  Growing in God's word should be a delight.  We should look  forward to eating God's word one course at a time.  Precept upon precept.  Line upon line.  The more mature believer.  One who by practice has learned to dig deep into the word of God should be patient, gentle and not push a baby believer to grow up too fast. 

What I have learned over the years of studying God's word is that doing the same old method can get really boring, dry and quite frankly make studying God's word a drudgery instead of a joy.   God's word is not dull but the way we go about digging can get old.   The important thing is we are in God's word, digging deeper and deeper so our roots are deep in Christ.  So, I guess what I am trying  to say is that it's not the method as much as the message we should be concerned with.  If we get STUCK on one method of "how to study the bible" we could miss out on the joy and pleasure of studying God's word.  It should not feel like a chore but something we look forward to.

Jesus said in John 8:31 - If you continue in my Word, then you will truly be my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.  I spent years in "bondage" to one way of digging into God's word.  That is not god's design for my life.  So if you are getting bored or feel like a prisoner to one style of bible study I challenge you to get alone with your bible, pick a book to go through consistently .  Grab a    notebook and have pen poised and ready; ask God to speak to you through His word.  When you read  don't forget to put on your 3-D glasses.  Get into the story, look at who is speaking, the audience they were speaking to, look for names of God and lessons he is trying to teach you today in 2012. 

I promise God's word never disappoints!

Renee

History Doesn't Have to Repeat Itself!

Isaiah 43:19~ "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." God gave me this verse several times last year through his word, christian radio, in conversations with others and in books I was reading.   It seemed like everywhere I turned this verse was starring me in the face!  It wasn't until a few days ago that He allowed me to understand just how He is going to use this verse to do some pruning, uprooting and cultivating in my family tree.


We've all  heard the expression, "history repeats itself".  That is not only true in world history but also in the our family history.  Another truth is that one nation or one person can stop history from repeating itself.  God has been revealing some things to me lately in my own family tree that I believe He wants to redeem.  I'm just one person, but with the Lord as my Shepherd and His Holy Spirit directing my footsteps I believe I can change the shape of my family tree for generations to come!


This year I've spent some time experiencing God as "Revealer".  Some of the things he has revealed have been joyful, some painful, but all good.  Sometimes in order to move forward we must look back.  In the song "Safe" by Natalie Grant are these words: " I'm not gonna hide, I'm not gonna run away.  I'll uncover the scars and show you every mistake.  Your love is mending my blisters and the bruising shame.  Here with you I am safe." In order for God to heal our blisters and bruising shame we must be honest, open and transparent with Him.  It is then He will gently begin to reveal & heal us from the inside out!   Pain is part of the package but God is right there applying His Word which is like a balm, a healing ointment. He desires for His children to be whole. God is in the redemption business, but it will require our cooperation! 

So as I have looked back at my own family history; God in His love and mercy has revealed and uncovered some things that He wants me to stop, so history doesn't repeat itself in my grand children's lives.  When I was first saved an older woman in Christ told me I could start a new legacy with my family.  I didn't have to continue in the legacy left to me by those who went before.  We began a new legacy when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Yet the legacy doesn't stop there, part of building that new legacy is taking stock of the past and learning from history in order to not repeat it.  We have to live intentionally not haphazardly in order to create a new family tree.  One that is holy and healthy.  To leave a legacy for those coming after us.  A legacy that is rooted and grounded in God's love through Christ Jesus.

The first few steps in my journey to wholeness will be difficult ones, but courage as defined by Dictionary.com is the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.   Lord help me to be strong & courageous!  I'm ready for you to do a "new" thing!  I love you My Redeemer!  Listen to the song below, Awesome!

You Are An Image Bearer!

This morning before my girls headed out the door for school I talked to them about being "image bearers" for Christ.  I wanted them to have something to remember throughout the day as they entered their battle field.  A visual picture is always something that sticks with us.  So, we talked about how every coin has the image of someone on it, whether it's George Washington or Abraham Lincoln.   The image is molded into the metal.  Every time we look at a quarter we are reminded of George Washington. When we reach into our pockets for a penny we are reminded of Abraham Lincoln because his image is forever minted or ingrained into that particular piece of money. 

In Genesis 1:27 God's word tells us "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."  We were made in the image of God!  We were intended from the beginning to be image bearers of our Creator.  So, what does it mean to be made in the image of God?  The word image in the original language is the word tselem which means: image, likeness or resemblance.  In the beginning we were made in the likeness of God.  We were made to resemble God.  How cool is that! 

Now, we know the rest of the story.  How the crafty serpent twisted God's truth and deceived Eve and she and Adam who was with her; took the bait, hook, line and sinker and sin entered into the world.    Sin distorted and marred the image of God in us. According to Genesis 5:3 -  When Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth.  So no longer "image bearers of God" but image bearers of sinful man.   But God had a plan,  the Father knew one day His one and only, perfect, sinless Son Jesus Christ (born of a virgin), would restore us back to God through His shed blood on the Cross.  He would be crucified, to die a cruel brutal death for our sins and be placed in a borrowed tomb and on the third day He would rise from the grave ALIVE (not a ghost) flesh and blood.  He would once again be joined with His Father in heaven, seated at His right hand, making intercession (praying) for His children. 

Jesus Christ has made a way for us to be restored and reconciled back to our Father.  To once again be "image bearers of God".  2 Corn. 5:17 - Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (18)Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, (19) namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. (20) Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (21) He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

So, if you are saved by the blood of the Lamb Jesus Christ if you have repented of your sins and asked Jesus to come into your heart and forgive you of all your sins, to be the Lord (Adonai - Master) of your life, you my friend are a new creation.  No longer marred by sin, but now you and I are image bearers of Christ. 

With that being said, let me ask you a question.  Remember the coins we talked about earlier, when we look at a quarter we see George Washington's image.  If you are a born again Christian think about this question, when people look at you do they see the image of Jesus, the image of God? 

Whose image are you bearing? 

Growing Up is Hard Work!

A few weeks ago, while commenting on a friend's post in regard to her 12 year old daughter's attitude, this thought popped into my head,"growing up is hard work".  Wouldn't you agree?  So many obstacles to overcome.  Think about it.  When a child is born they are completely and utterly dependent on their parents to feed, bathe, clothe, wash, protect, shield, teach & care for them.  They can do nothing by themselves.  As they grow and begin to sit up, crawl, drink from a cup and eat by themselves you begin to see this need for independence and also a need for dependence. 

Looking back on my parenting years early on I clung to the verse "children obey your parents, for this is well pleasing to God, that it may go well with you and you may live a long life on the earth".  Oh yeah, and the commandment "Children honor your parents....".  This is a command from God Almighty and I believe with all my heart that we should teach our children these truths and require obedience, honor and respect  from them.  However, what I don't believe is that we are to drill it into their heads 24 seven!  I did this with my oldest son for years, but didn't do a lot of checking in on my own heart and attitude towards him.  Honor is a little like a two way street.  We can't expect our children to honor and obey us if we give them no respect or honor can we?

God who is the Father of us all is respectful to His children and He gives us honor.  Yet, we sometimes  expect them to behave according to "the book", while make excuses for our dishonorable and disobedient attitude.  This is not right.  I think it is easy for Christian parents to forget the heart of the law because we are so busy when they are young laying down the law, having them memorize the 10 commandments and other scriptures they "should" know because after all, "God's word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Him". 

What  I have learned in my 26 years of parenting is that many times my children's attitudes are often a reflection of my own attitudes or behaviors.  OUCH!  That hurts, don't like admitting that one!  At the same time we have to remember that growing up is painful. 

Growing up hurts!  That's why when children are growing physically we call it "growing pains".  I remember as a child waking up at night and my legs or feet would just ache.  My mother would rub them with lotion until I fell back to sleep.  Maybe what our children need is for us to be  more merciful, more understanding, more patient, gentle, slow to anger, less irritated by their growing up pains!  Maybe what they really need is a little "balm" on their pains.  Instead of wanting them to be the perfect little cookie cutter Christians.  We need to take a long look in the mirror and own our own bad attitudes and behaviors. 

Growing Up is Hard Work!  We are still works in progress so expecting little Johnny or Suzie to behave in a "godly" way 24 hrs. a day is unrealistic at best!  Do you and I behave "righteously" at all times?  Are we perfect?  Absolutely NOT!   What they need to see is a parent that will humble themselves and apologize to them or maybe instead of getting mad or irritated at our children we should  first stop and don't say a word.  Maybe we  need to just pray and ask God to help us exercise the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control; against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23) that we possess by the power of the Holy Spirit in us. 

Now before some "law abiding" christian begins to read into what I'm "trying" to say, don't hear me say; you shouldn't have rules, you shouldn't correct your children's bad behavior or attitudes.  I'm not saying that at all.   You should do those things how else will they learn.  We are their first teachers, it is our God-given responsibility to "Bring them up in the love and admonition of the Lord" but, Ephesians 6:4 also tells us, - "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord".  God's word is clear we are not to embitter or enrage our children.  Not to provoke them to anger but to bring them up in the discipline & instruction of the Lord. 

 Discipline - comes from the word - paideia

1) the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment) It also includes the training and care of the body 2) whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, esp. by correcting mistakes and curbing passions. a) instruction which aims at increasing virtue b) chastisement, chastening, (of the evils with which God visits men for their amendment). 

The word for instruction is nouthesia which means admonition or exhortation.  The root word of nouthesia is -nous - meaning: 1) the mind, comprising alike the faculties of perceiving and understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining a) the intellectual faculty, the understanding b) reason in the narrower sense, as the capacity for spiritual truth, the higher powers of the soul, the faculty of perceiving divine things, of recognising goodness and of hating evil c) the power of considering and judging soberly, calmly and impartially 2) a particular mode of thinking and judging, i.e thoughts, feelings, purposes, desires.  A derivative from tithēmi -1) to set, put, place a) to place or lay/ b) to put down, lay down 1) to bend down, 2) to lay off or aside, to wear or carry no longer 3) to lay by, lay aside money c) to set on (serve) something to eat or drink d) to set forth, something to be explained by discourse 2) to make a) to make (or set) for one's self or for one's use 3) to set, fix establish a) to set forth b) to establish, ordain.  As we can see from the word of God discipline and instruction is hard work.  Requires the Power of the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom, discernment and discretion in parenting. 

Growing up is hard work!.  While there will be times when we must be hard on our children and experience the grief and pain that goes along with that as a parent; most of the time we should extend, grace, mercy & forgiveness to them, as God has extended to us through His Son Jesus Christ.  Yes, there are times when we must punish bad behavior, there will be times when we need to pick up the "rod of correction" and drive childishness out of the heart of our children in order to help them grow up to be good earthly as well as kingdom citizens.  Mostly though, we must "practice what we preach".  We must walk the talk, this is where I've found the rubber meets the road.  It is in the every day living out the common life where we are to be their example of what a grown up in Christ looks like. 

We must remember Growing up is hard work!

Renee Peebles
Zebulon, NC







M.I.A. - Missing in Action

Have you ever heard the expression M.I.A. (missing in action)?  It's a military term. When someone is found to be "M.I.A.", the military will search high and low for their fellow soldier(s). No cost is too high, no mission is too dangerous. The goal is clear; find the one MIA and bring them back safely. 

In Luke 15 Jesus taught a parable to those who were "questioning", the company he kept.  The lesson was that He the Good Shepherd came to seek and save the lost.  That He didn't come to save the "righteous" and was willing to do whatever it took to leave the 99 sheep to go looking for the one that was lost.  Do you know someone who once walked with the Lord, was involved in their local church and at one time was serving God, but are now M.I.A. - missing in action? I know a few, it seems they have just walked away from their faith. They have no desire to hear about the things of God. They never darken the door of a church and certainly don't enjoy being around those who follow Christ. Do you know someone like that? I'm sure for most of us the answer is, yes. We don't know if they have "left" Jesus or just our churches but one thing we do know is they are  M.I.A. 

So, what are we to do about it?  We need to start with prayer.  Praying to the Good Shepherd, the all knowing God of the universe, who sees all mankind in one fail swoop!  He knows the condition of each heart (a lost or just a wondering heart).  He knows where that lost sheep is, I don't!  He knows how to bind up the broken hearted and set the captives free!  So we should start with passionate, powerful & purposeful prayer! 

We don't stop there!  If it is someone close to us, we should lovingly ask them what happened & then listen to their reasons with a non-judgemental, non-critical ear.  We should seek them out, that's what Jesus does, He is the Seeker of lost & lonely hearts.  Another thing we can do is just love them where they are at.  God's word tells us in Galatians 6:1 - Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. So the key is a spirit of gentleness.  We don't need to beat them over the head with the Bible or make them feel even more guilty.  We are to be agents of restoration. To restore or katartizō:  means to render (mend what has been rent) to repair, to complete, to strengthen, perfect, complete, make one what he ought to be. 

Isn't that what Jesus the Shepherd of our souls does for us?  He is the repairer of the breech, the One who completes us, He makes us perfect "in Him", He is our strength and He is the One who can make us what we ought to be.  Don't give up on those who have gone astray.  As followers of Jesus Christ we are to be engaged in active duty.  We are in God's Army, no retreat!  We are Ambassadors for Christ and part of our calling is to be ministers of reconciliation. 

So, who has gone M.I.A. in your platoon will you follow in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd and leave the 99 and go after that one?

Memories

Pictures of my sweet oldest daughter who is soon to be married can't believe how the years fly by:

Jessie's 1st b-day w/Grandma Peebles

Jessie dressed up like Minnie Mouse for Halloween

Jessie at Pony ride at Faith Baptist

Jessie at lake with family

Time at the lake w/the Pollocks

Jessie's High School Graduation Picture
2008

My

Wedding Bells are Ringing!

On Saturday I was in my kitchen printing off wedding programs for my oldest daughter's upcoming wedding, when it hit me like a ton of bricks!  She only has a few more weeks in our home.   I've been so busy with wedding plans and details I haven't had time to stop and think about Jessie not being here. It seems like yesterday she was a little girl sitting at the counter painting a picture or going on and on about her friends or about what she would like to be when she grows up. As a matter of fact, someone must be playing games with my memory, why, wasn't it just last year when we were in this very kitchen baking brownies and making homemade hot chocolate mix to give to our neighbors at Christmas?   Wow!, like the song says, "don't blink", that is certainly the truth!

This house is going to be so different without her around on a daily basis.  No more days of her sitting at the counter watching me cook and telling me all about her day at school or work.  No more of me listening for her to get home at night before falling off to sleep, knowing she is safe and sound.  No more late night visits to our room to say, "Mom, Dad guess what?" conversations.  I must admit this is a little harder than I thought it would be. 

Isn't it funny how quickly time flies by for those of us who are Moms or Dads?   From our children's perspective it seems like time just drags on and on.  They are always wanting to be one year older, to be 13, 16, 18 or 21 yrs. old.  They are always wishing time would just hurry up.  It's a normal part of life.   I remember my Grandma Madie telling me, "don't wish your life away".  I didn't get it when I was a little child, but boy!, do I get it now!  I love being a Mom!  I have been blessed to be a stay at home Mom for 21 years; thirteen of those were homeschooling Mom years.  I am so grateful for the time I have had to raise our children and be for the most part an "all there Mom".  I just wish time didn't have to fly by so fast!   

I am so happy for my Jessie and her Glenn.  He is like a son to us and we all love him with all our hearts.  He became part of our family (not officially) a few years back, so it's all good.  This season of life is full of excitement, joy, sadness, happiness, laughter and yes a few tears.  Thankfully not tears of regret!  I wouldn't want it any other way.  I want to take it all in and enjoy every bit of it. 

So, let the wedding bells ring! 

Breaking Camp

Deuteronomy 1:6-8 - The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, "You have stayed long enough at this mountain.  Break camp and advance into the hill country of the Amorites; go to all the neighboring peoples ....." 

God's word of confirmation regarding our decision to enroll our girls in public school next year.  God truly speaks personally into our lives if we will get still, be quiet and are in His word on a consistent basis. He speaks to us through His word and through the nudges of the Holy Spirit.

For the past three years, I've felt gentle nudges and knew a change of direction was in store for our family but wanted to make sure I wasn't loosing my mind!  After much asking, seeking and knocking He has made it clear for all of us. 

When I read the verse above, the first question I asked myself was, "what represents our mountain" and immediately God whispered into my heart, "homeschooling".  Just like Mt. Sinai or Horeb was the place where God taught the people to fear him, to obey him; where he gave them His Word (law) and  warned them about the place they would be living in on a daily basis and how to be "set-apart" in a pagan society.  So homeschooling has been that mountain for our family. It has been a place of not only academic instruction but also one of spiritual instruction.  The time and togetherness homeschooling has afforded us has been a training ground of sorts.  A place where discipleship was intentional. A place where we have worshipped, worked and witnessed together. They have been grounded in God's word and have been equipped to have a personal relationship with God through salvation in Jesus Christ, if they so choose.  Homeschooling has been a place of preparation to enter the "world" where they can be tested and tried with the careful guidance of their parents. 

I've had some other homeschoolers make comments like, "God never calls his children to sit under the tutelage of the world", I get what they are saying but I'm not following any man's voice, I am listening to the voice of my shepherd Jesus Christ and He knows all my fears, concerns, apprehensions and believe me there are many. 

In a sense I feel like Abraham when God asked him to go and sacrifice his son of promise Issac.  He didn't consult with man, Abraham had a three day journey to listen to the voice of "reason", to the voice of his own conscience, but He headed straight to that mountain with knife in hand and the wood on his son's back.  We all know how the story ended.  Abraham knew that God was the PROMISE keeper and He had promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, he didn't understand but he trusted the Lord knowing that according to Hebrews 11:17-19 - By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Issac, and he who had received the promise was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to whom it was said; "In Issac your descendants shall be called." He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type. 

Thankfully God isn't asking us to sacrifice our children on a literal alter!  He is however asking us to trust in His person, promises and power.  He is asking us to sacrifice our version of "best" for His best!  To die to some dreams we might have had in order to embrace the plans and purposes He has designed for these children.  If my girls were younger I don't think we would even be having this discussion.  He led us to home school for a season.  Now it's time to move on into a new season. 

While I am apprehensive about this year I am also excited at the possibilities and opportunities to "go" on a daily basis.  Trusting in the Good Shepherd to guide, protect and provide them with what they need to face this world.  Of course we aren't throwing them to the wolves, we will be there guiding them as well, teaching them His word, praying for them.  We are still their parents and will still be overseeing their education, just in a different way. 

In the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91)

A Message for Young Moms

Young christian Moms listen to me - It's good to want to do "it all right" (but you won't), to desire the very best for your children (you would be abnormal if you didn't want their best),to teach your little ones about Jesus, God's Word and to train them up in the Lord. It's all part of God's plan for us as parents. We should do these things, but remember nothing is "textbook"!

Today in the church and in our society we want everything to be programmed and packaged nice, neat, tidy and clean that sometimes we get the message that if we follow the "rules" and "do it right" we will produce these godly little people or big people who will always follow Christ, always love Him and serve Him. Have we forgotten that we are dealing with little people who are born to sin, chose to sin and live (for the most part) for the flesh. Why do we expect them to behave perfect or "godly" when we are made out of the same stuff they are? Why do we become shocked when our precious little ones act well "sinful"? When they argue with their siblings, or hit their friends? It doesn't shock God, after all His children behave the same way, yes even those "righteous", "rule keeping" "good" children.

After being a Mom for 25 years - (the first three of which I was living in and for the world lost as a goose!) What I have learned after reading scores of good books on parenting, attending several bible studies and digging into His word for insight, is this...ready? GOD is Able, He is big enough to cover all the gaps we leave. To repair the damage we have done or will do. He is ABLE! YOU will NOT do it all right neither will your friends, don't look to another Mom to follow. Mentors are NOT to be our idols. One time I heard a young Mom say "I'm going to look for a Mom whose kids have turned out "godly" and hook myself up with her and follow what she did". I get that, after all Titus 2 tells the older women to teach the younger....I get that. We all need mentors but we aren't to be carbon copies of any person other than Jesus Christ. Most of my mentors have been through tapes, CD, books and I've been fortunate to be a parent long enough to walk along side some awesome mothers and friends. These mentors have pointed me to God.

So, Look to God The Father. Cling to Him and love Him with all your heart, soul and mind. Let your words be few but let them be full of grace. If you err - err on the side of mercy. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in your child's heart, dont' control!!! When you blow it confess it to the Father and to your children they need to see vulnerability and transparency in this area. Laugh alot, laugh at your mistakes, laugh with your children NOT at them. Guard your relationship with your children. Ask God to do what ONLY HE can do. Don't stop doing what you are called to do as christian Mother.  Keep on but keep trusting and turning it all over to God. 

One very important and I truly believe one of the last things even "good christian parents" dont' do enough of is to Bathe them in prayer. As a friend's face book post reminded me this morning "when was the last time you were driven to your knees?" The daunting and often demanding role of parenting should drive us to our knees or like Beth Moore says, "nose to carpet", that's desperate, that's dependent!

Every one has heard about St. Augustine but few have heard about his mother. She was a prayer warrior on her sons behalf. She saw him going the wrong way, the way of the world and went to her pastor and begged him to speak to Augustine, to which he replied, "no, he is not ready to hear", the pastor told Augustine's mother to pray, to let God do what only He can do. The rest is history! Intercessory prayer will not always result in the outcome we desire. It will however keep us devoted & dependent upon God Almighty!

Lastly, be there when they fall, if they live long enough you can bet your bottom dollar they will. Trust in His plans NOT in your plans no matter how spiritual they are. God knows how to get our children's attention and He knows the plans He has for them you don't. He loves them more than you do!

Enjoy your children they grow up so quickly! They will still need you but in very different ways as they grow up and out. If you have an open and honest relationship built on trust in each other and in the Lord Jesus Christ you will become some of your grown children's trusted advisers. God bless you in this wonderful journey!

Learning at His Feet,

Ministering As We Go!

Do you believe in divine appointments?  I believe divinely directed appointments or maybe a better word would be "interruptions" are placed on our path each and every day; if only we would have the eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart that would respond to the Holy Spirit's nudges! 

Over the past several weeks God has put people in my path at unexpected places.   Not in a homeless shelter setting or during a scheduled "ministry" event, but just as I am going about my day.  Yesterday was such a day.  I took my 16 year old to get her hair highlighted and cut. We were there for a long time, normally I would have been very frustrated and anxious but while there I met an odd little woman who  told me her life story.  She was so proud of so many things: her big house, how beautiful she once was, how talented she had been as a ballerina, how smart, successful and beautiful all her family was.   She talked about herself for at least 45 minutes.   I just sat and listened and made a few comments here and there, when she would come up for air!. 

Since my daughter was still in the salon chair, I ended up giving the lady a ride home because she hinted that she didn't know how she would get home! During the ride to her house I sensed how lonely, hurt and empty she really was.  My heart broke for her.  When we arrived at her driveway she asked me if I wanted to exchange numbers; now to be completely honest, my flesh wanted to find a way NOT to give her my number but the Holy Spirit nudged me so we exchanged numbers and went on my way. 

I couldn't get her off my mind all night and prayed for her that God would go to her and reveal His amazing love for her in the quietness of her home and life.  Then this morning God reminded me of the way Jesus ministered to those around him; with these words, "as he went", or "as he was going".  God revealed to me this was no chance encounter.  It was indeed a divine interruption.  This lady needs Jesus!  I am to be the channel of His love and grace to her. I am to "minister as I go". 

We are such busy people.  We don't have time to sit and listen to some one's life story.  If we do listen, it is usually not with attentive hearts and ears.  I know I don't, as a mom of four with my plate running over with things to do, plan and places to be; my schedule is usually so full of me, mine and scheduled ministry appointments that I just don't see those divine interruptions that God places in my path each day.  Because of the distractions and yes sometimes the "to do list" I miss out on being His eyes, arms, hands and feet in this world.  I miss out on being a blessing and receiving His blessing.

There are so many broken hearted people all around us.  So many lonely, isolated people who just want a friend.  Someone to listen to their story.  Someone to care.  Jesus, our Savior, our Shepherd looked at the multitudes and had compassion on them because they were, "sheep without a shepherd".  He took the time to minister "as he went along his way" to see their need, to hear the cries of the brokenhearted, sick and blind.  Jesus "as he walked along the way", didn't walk aimlessly through life, even though he was headed to the Cross of Calvary to die for our sins; he took the time to see people, to look into their eyes, to hear their stories, to "minister as He went". 

Help us Lord to see people with your eyes and hear them with your heart.  Help us to see that those seemingly insignificant interruptions that so irritate and frustrate our busy schedules are actually divine appointments.  Help us to "minister as we are going".  I love you Lord Jesus.  Thank you for not seeing me as an irritating interruption to your kingdom agenda but as a lost sheep who needed a Shepherd! Thank you for reaching out to me through others, for healing my broken heart and for setting me free.  Help me to point others to You!

Renee

"It's only an hour"

One Sunday morning I heard someone say when they were trying to decide if they would go to church or stay home and do some yard work, "Well, it's only an hour". Those words penetrated my heart and hurt down to my core! The first thing I said to them was, "Jesus hung on a cross for us for 6 hours, the least we can do is honor Him by going to worship." I ended up in my prayer closet, crying crocodile tears over the condition of hearts. When I came out my anger, hurt and tears were gone. Worship was great for me. I enjoyed every song, every word the pastor preached from Colossians 2:1-5! I realized in my prayer closet, that God can handle the other person's heart condition, I can't make anyone love God. No amount of preaching or prodding on my part will make a difference in the lives of others. What I can do is worship my Lord, give myself away to Him daily. Live out His purpose in my life, day in and day out. He is plenty BIG enough to handle the others.

I have asked God for years to break my heart with what breaks His. This morning was a sweet and painful reminder that He has heard my prayer and He is indeed breaking my heart with what breaks His. It literally broke my heart to think about how callous and flippant that comment was..."It's only an hour". To think of all my Savior went through for us. To think of how that must make God feel after He gave His most precious Son to redeem a sinful world. How that must be a slap in His holy face? The Holy Spirit gently reminded me not to judge for I too have had those thoughts here and there over the years when I was tired on Sunday or had lots on my to do list. 

What if God had the same attitude towards? What if He didn't give us the time of day unless He needed something? What if God only talked to us when He had no one else to call on? What if God had the attitude of,  "It's only six hours", then it's done and I'm through? What if God said, ok I've done my part, I gave you the six hours I sent my son to die isn't that enough already, you are on your own now. I've got more important things to do today?

What if God had such a flippant attitude towards you and I? Wow, what trouble we would be in, what turmoil, anguish, darkness we would be in. But God, is long suffering, merciful and full of compassion. I am so thankful that God is not like us.

Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way which seems right to a man, But it's end is the way of death.

We do our part and HE will always do His part. What areas are you pursuing, plotting, planning and trying to produce life in that are coming up empty or lifeless? God is in control. Do what He has called YOU to do and leave the results to Him. He is our Enabler! He calls us to be obedient and follow him.  We are not responsible for the results.

Are there areas (be honest) in your life, marriage, parenting, work situations, leadership roles where you are trying to produce life but they are coming up dead? Have you done all the right things (as much as you can do) and yet, things have not turned out the way you imagined or thought they would? Could it be that you either knowingly or unknowingly have been IN CONTROL? Could it be that you have a TRUST issue? Could it be that you are using subtle methods of manipulation to "get the results" you want or desire?

I know for me looking back over the years I can say a hearty AMEN to that one!  God's word tells us in Jeremiah 17:9 - "the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, who can know it?".  It's true that if you are a disciple of Christ you have been given a new heart, a pure heart; but we can still deceive ourselves especially where our children are involved.  What's even worse is sometimes we add a layer of spiritual flavor to it. This is a hard one to see because the root of control and manipulation is PRIDE! Yes, one of the seven things God hates!

Hard to admit, but if we are COMPLETELY honest with ourselves and God (no shock to Him) and remember God also hates a lying tongue; we have to admit that there have been times, maybe even years where we have had such a controlling grip on those closest to us or were manipulating the circumstances that we have hurt more than we have helped. We like being in control. It gives us a sense of safety for a season.   The fallout or backlash from that tight grip of control can be very destructive. 

Recently, God has broken my heart once again by putting His finger on something I was about to do without realizing the fallout.  I was pursuing, plotting, planning and trying to produce life all in an effort to "help" and show "mercy" but that too has come up empty.  The backlash has been painful but I would rather fear God than man. I would rather fear God and live than fear the backlash of man's response and possibly bring destruction or even death by choosing to break God's heart!  Thankfully God's word stopped me in my tracks and showed me just how manipulative, mis-guided and down right wrong it would be in His sight, and it's Him I want to please.  

Proverbs 19:21-23 - Many plans are in a man's heart But the counsel of the LORD will stand.  What is desirable in a man is his kindness, And it is better to be poor than a liar.  The fear of the LORD leads to life.  So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.

Are You a Disinfected Christian or a Disciple of Christ?

Last year me and my girls read "Radical" by David Platt.  This book rocked my world!  It left my mind reeling and my heart rolling around the words of Jesus Christ.  I love to read books that help weave God's word into my life.  I've read lots of books on prayer, fasting, bible study, books written about books of the bible, leadership, etc.  No other book besides the bible itself has made such an impact on me.  This little book has drastically changed the way I look at the world around me, discipleship, the church, my home, family, friendships, finances, well; everything to tell you the truth. 

For more than 7 years I have had these thoughts that I thought were contrary to what I was seeing and at times hearing in the church today.  I knew there had to be more to this Christian life than attending a bible believing church, serving, going to revival (which were placed on a calendar a year before?).   Can I just say religious routine and at times boring?  Really, when you go back and read the gospels and the words of Christ, there is nothing boring about being a disciple of Christ. 

Never could put my finger on why I would become angry at leadership when they did things like give away gifts to the students if they could get a set number of youth to an event or things like park a car in our welcome center to be given away to the student who could get the most "unchurched" kids to come to an event at their church.  I remember being so deeply angry, so disappointed.  I would make comments and no one would seem to be tracking with me; so I thought the problem must be with me!  I mean if the pastors see nothing wrong with parking a car in the welcome center or bribing kids with prizes to get people inside the church then why should I?  


Oddly enough I never remember Jesus offering such trinkets for following him?  I always thought giving a kid an i-pod because he brought 10 kids to church who for the most part already attended their own church, was twisted to say the least...what kind of message are we sending to the future leaders of the next generation? If you commit to serve Jesus, your reward will be a new car, i-pod, lots of money? It flies in the face of the Word's of Jesus. Who according to His Word and according to the book Radical, promised those who would live godly in Christ Jesus would get just the opposite...."will suffer persecution". Jesus promised you would indeed suffer for the sake of the gospel...He promised you would be laughed at, ridiculed, spit on, beaten, flogged, shipwrecked, whipped, made a mockery of and possibly loose your life for picking up your cross and following HIM.

We have taught the youth of today to "be good" to "not touch" to be "disinfected" Christians. We have taught them to follow a set of rules and if we do it right, everything will be ok...WRONG! How dare we take such liberty with the Word of God Almighty! We are called to be "disciples" of Christ not just disinfected Christians. I believe every Youth worker and leader needs to read the book Radical. I believe anyone who is working with this generation should read this book.

 

The first chapter of Radical my eyes filled with tears and my heart ached.  I saw through the words of Jesus that we are NOT making disciples in "most" of our youth groups.  We are making worldly, carnal Christians all in the name of  "salvation".  It makes me cringe as I read about the lives of the disciples and church history books of the persecuted church, even today's persecuted church all across the globe; we are doing our youth a HUGE disservice!

Ministry is not "ministry" anymore.  True ministry according to the way Jesus did it looked like, getting involved in the lives of the lost, broken-hearted and the hurting.  To bind up the wounds. To walk alongside and help others grow in Christ. Not to just bring people to your church event but to bring them into your life and invite them into your home.  To help those who actually needed and wanted help (not a hand out) but a hand up! 

To be a disciple of Christ is to be His hands and feet and that requires action! It is not always something we can put on a calendar or plan.  True ministry is "as we go", it's those divine appointment moments that interrupt our plans in order to fulfill His purpose.  Ministry is not a business or an organization.  Ministry is to be done by the church (the body of Christ) which is not in a building!  We are the church, each of us individually as well as corporately.   

Not disinfected from the world but disciples in the world! 

Extravagant Worship

Matthew 26:6 - Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. (read the rest of the passage). 

A woman worshipped Jesus in a way that seemed extravagant to those who witnessed it.  She poured out very costly perfume on His head as an act of worship.  Others became indignant with  her, asking "why she had "wasted" what could have been used to help the poor."  Jesus, knowing their hearts rebuked them and told them to leave her alone; not only that, He honored her for her extravagant worship. 

What about us?  Do we worship God extravagantly?  His love for us is certainly extravagant isn't it?  He held nothing back.   He gave His all.   He gave His best.  He is still giving today.  His mercy, grace & forgivness are extremely extravagant. 

I am definitely not known as an extravagant person.  I'm pretty simple really, frugal even.  My needs aren't extravagant or expensive.  I've never spent alot of money on clothes, cars, or material things.  I like nice things but due to one income and a big household, being "extravagant" has never been part of my vocabulary. 

After watching a dear friend of mine walk through some hard things because of her extravagant love for the Father; I've realized that God loves an extravagant worshipper!

I want to be known by God as an extravagant worhshipper.  To pour out my life and love for the Savior in a way that would make others curious about this God I worship.  To exceed the limits of reason or necessity.  To not care about what those watching think, but to bring honor and glory to the ONE who died for me. 

What about you do you think of yourself as an extravagant worshipper?

Extravagantly Loved,
Renee

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Are You a Squirrel or a Bird When it Comes to Feeding on God's Word?

A devotion my Mom wrote a few years back.  Thought it was worth sharing......

I was standing at the kitchen window and looking out this morning, after my quiet time with God.  There at the bird feeder, where usually birds come to eat all day, was a squirrel eating the seeds that had fallen on the ground from the feeder.  She doesn't come everyday, but when she does, she eats her belly full.  Then she scampers off to do her folly and comes back every now and then to eat some more.  A little bird was standing there at a distance watching, but making no move to disturb the squirrel, just allowing her to eat the seed. 

The picture I saw was one of a spiritually hungry believer (the bird) who knows who she is in Christ Jesus, and she knows she  needs the seed (God's word) everyday.  So, faithfully she comes every single day to eat the seed (the word of God). 

Then I saw the carnal believer (the squirrel), who has  not fully grasped who she is in Christ Jesus.  After being gone for days or weeks and taking part in the world.  She doesn't sustain her balance because she is still out in the world eating all it has to offer her.  She realizes that God is drawing her back to Him, wooing her to eat the good seed that will heal, nourish and strengthen her (His Word).  The more often she comes to eat from the good seed, the more she understands who she truly is in Christ and how much she needs the Word of God.  Sooner or later, she begins to mature as God's daily seed gives balance to her life.   

Sometimes we are more like the squirrel.  Can you relate? 

Reminds me of Luke 8:5-15 The Parable of the Sower.   The Sower is God, the seed is the Word of God, some seed fell on the road where it was trampled underfoot. Some fell on the rocky soil, but as soon as it grew up it withered away because it had no root, some fell among thorns and the thorns grew up and choked it out.  Other seed fell on good soil and grew up and produced a crop a hundred times as great.  The soil represents the hearers or the hearts of the hearers.  All soil received the seed (heard the word), but with very different results. 

Which soil is your heart most like today?  If we are honest, we have experienced every type of soil where the Word of God is concerned.  There have been times in my walk when my heart has been like the "road" where it is heard but certainly not heeded.  Other times my heart has been like the "rocky" soil.  I've been attentive and heard the word and begun to apply it but because I wasn't "rooted" in Chris but rooted in the things of this world or self, it yields no fruit.  Of course we have all had days when our hearts were like the "thorny" soil, where the cares and worries of this world of the temporal things have choked out the word of God.  Oh, but then there are the days where hopefully we live most of our life with God; where our hearts are the "good" soil.  We not only receive the seed but because we are rooted in Christ, we respond to the heart of our Father with honest, open hearts and it grows up and produces a crop a hundred times as great. 

Dear Lord, you are the master gardener you know condition of hearts (soil).  You alone know how to cultivate our hearts into the good soil.  I ask you today dear Lord to prepare our hearts, to give us the "Son", the Living Water and remove the rocks, thorns and anything else that is preventing us from hearing and heeding your word.  I want to be a fruitful believer.  Producing fruit that will last.  Thank you Jesus.