Prayers that pave the way: Hurricane

Lord, we sometimes struggle to have faith when we know there is a large storm on the horizon. Strengthen our bodies as we prepare for evacuations. Give us peace as we think of many different solutions and outcomes. Help us to be wise beyond weather forecast predictions. We trust you to save and deliver as only you can. We commit to pray and prepare like only we can. In all our ways we acknowledge you as we trust you with all our hearts. God we pray for first responders, safety personnel, and health professionals. We pray for government workers and linemen. We ask for mercy for those who are sheltering in place. Give us your perspective when we look at despair for direction. The same Jesus who has authority over winds and waves is the Jesus we serve. We pray all of these things as you are faithful to fulfill your purposes for our lives. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Read More

Grace and Accountability

This Fall, I am grateful to God for grace and accountability in our family's daily life. Grace because where would be we be without God's grace? Also because we need to give ourselves grace to adapt to our new Fall schedule. 

Over the years I learned through observation and action. I observed what too much activity does to me. I experience burnout. I'm no good to anyone who needs me. The following actions turned out to be temperate. I don't stuff our family's schedule with activities and we also don't leave it nearly empty. We ask simple questions. Where are we? Where do we want to go? 

Goal setting helps us to stay accountable and focused. The support and love of family help us to stay rooted and grounded in love. 

Everyone in the family adds their gifts and talents to the mix. Beauty always comes from our efforts. We become stronger as a whole and as individuals. 

The past few weeks allowed me to do some God-led introspection. I want to be obedient and become who God called me to become. I want our kids to experience the same joy of obeying God's word and ways. Last week's focus was excellence. After our initial conversation, everywhere we turned, the word "excellence" appeared. It was even in a saxophone music book's song title! I want to embrace the call for excellence in every area of my life. 

One of the God-led introspection calls was not to limit God's power. Because I am human, this happens on a mental level. I am persuaded not to limit what God can do with my lack of faith. Instead, I want to get out of the way and let God be God. How do I do that? First, I humble myself under the mighty hand of God (1 Peter 5:6). Then, I cast my cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7). 

This is where I am this Fall: at the feet of Jesus humbling myself, reading His word, and looking for grace while remaining accountable. 

Read More

Sunday Seven

Sunday Seven  

1. We are in a digital world where everyone is trying to sell us something. Are we blindly buying what others are selling? Do we stop and think, "Is this something I truly need?" This question applies to material things and things we can't touch.
2. People are not always telling the truth in the digital world. The perceived value of things is what you see. People can rent a lifestyle. They display that fake lifestyle to convince you to buy a certain product. The trust you give is not earned through honesty but fakery. Discernment is a good friend.
3. No one shows the true reality of life. When cameras and filters go off, real life begins. I know it seems like transparency. The difference between real life and digital life is the ability to conjure a reaction from the viewer. Sometimes, the reaction is the movement of fingers that keep scrolling for hours. Inaction is the reaction.
4. We live in a world where people in many areas of life agree that exposure to digital content is detrimental to children and teens. Dangerous is a better way to describe the fruit of little eyes and brains growing up digital. Adults are suffering too.
5. Most digital platforms are what I call gray places. They are not right or wrong. They are not black or white. They are just gray. The interesting fact about the platforms is our ability to measure how long we spend there and the results of that investment of our priceless time.
6. While I agree with digital minimalism, I do not agree with digital exodus. The field is wide open for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My conviction is that I can't be blinded by the lure of the world. I need to reflect my Savior's attitude and demeanor everywhere. He was all about the Father's business.
7. It is okay to take a stand for virtue and honor in the digital world. It is okay to unlike and unfollow without an accompanying rant. It is okay to practice Christian integrity in all our interactions and viewing habits. It is good to be in the world but not in the world. 

Read More

Refuse to be defeated

Hey friends! I hope you are well. I wanted to give you a life update with some fun pictures. 

I didn't think this Fall schedule would be this full but it certainly is. I am grateful to God for health, strength and purpose daily. Service to God means caring for the needs of my family. Even when kids grow up, I know they still need us to be available and we want to do just that. I'm still praying daily for wisdom and relying on God and my husband. Life as a family is a blessing and I am beyond grateful.   

I ran a 5K last weekend. It was for brain cancer research. This race took place in the Atlantic Station area of Atlanta. It was my second part participating. 

My goal was to finish the race, which I did. I was 5 seconds slower than last year. Way to be consistent. Ha ha!

My husband and I don't often workout together but when we do, it is highly enjoyable. We always took turns when the kids were little. When we moved to Georgia, he joined my beloved CrossFit gym but he got busy with work and decided to do something different. Before he joined the gym, several people were amazed that we didn't workout together. Every now and then I still get that question. I just say no and the conversation moves on from there. I workout with a lot of people whose spouses either do not workout or do something different. I want to say that most of the time, that is the norm. I think that as long as we are for each other, it doesn't matter what time we workout. 

I want to remind you that there are 12 weeks left in this great year. Let's work on reaching our goals! Refuse to be defeated!

Read More

Sunday Seven

1️⃣ Love is sacrificial. Serving is sacrificial. Jesus demonstrated service when He washed the disciples’ feet. He encouraged the disciples to do the same. There is nothing glamorous about washing dirty extremities of the body. Humility is a must. Determination to obey out of love for God is needed. I don’t want to take service as to the Lord for granted. I want to consult my heart to be sure it is aligned with God’s word. 

2️⃣ I don’t have to agree politically with you to show you respect and kindness. My commitment is with the God of the Bible who commands me to love and pray for my enemies. The random person who doesn’t vote like me is not an enemy. They mostly think of themselves. It is okay to remove my self-imposed sense of exaggerated importance so I can wrap a towel around my waste as Jesus did in John 13. Jesus came to serve. He loved the world. I believe I should love in the same Biblical manner.

3️⃣ Sometimes I want vengeance yet God wants victory. Romans 12:19 is clear about this topic and I learned it in a practical manner when God called me to serve and gift those who were against me. Biblical Forgiveness was the foundation of this transformation. I’m free from the poison of unforgiveness. Thank God for the victory and reconciliation ensued. 

 4️⃣ God has a way of affirming the gifts He gave you. It doesn’t always happen at church. God sent a stranger to affirm me in a professional setting. I was undone. As I held my tears back, I thought, God is faithful and true. My life is for His service. 

 5️⃣ The Grace of God is available to us daily, not for the days we feel we deserve it. Pause and calmly think of it.

6️⃣ The assignment God gave you for this season is before you. Be unrelenting about fulfilling it. We run into problems when we try to do everything else instead of the things God called us to accomplish. 

 7️⃣ We have a little over 3 months til the end of the year. Start now. Take small steps to your goals. You can accomplish a lot if your attention is undivided. Attention and attendance go hand in hand.

Read More