There was a young lady walking down the middle of the road. She had a glare of death upon her face as she walked bare foot drenched in sweat with a baby on her hip. While talking on a cell phone, a driver on her way to the store noticed her as she traveled the opposite way. The driver thought it was peculiar to see such young person walking in the middle of the road with a baby on her hip.
She flagged the cars approaching her to let them know to slow down so they would not hit the young mother and baby. Quickly, she went to the store and thought I should have stopped. As she returned to journey back home she saw that young girl again this time in tears. The lady slowed down while a car was behind her, she rolled down her window and yelled, “What’s wrong sweetheart?”
The young girl lifted the baby on her hip with tears rolling down her eyes and said, “Nothing, mam, I am okay.” She then pulled over and said to her, “No, something is wrong, you are crying, walking in the heat of the morning, with a baby on your hip, tell me what’s wrong, it can’t be that bad?”
The lady invited her in the car to find that she was a teen mother, struggling to buy diapers for her 8 month old son. The young girl walked down that long heated road, crying and yelling on the inside distraught with her life. The father of the child was forbidden to be a part of their life and she felt the pressure of not being able to provide for her son. They drove back to the store and she asked the young girl what she needed. The young girl pulled out a wrinkled up $10 bill in tears and called out a list that the $10 would not come close to covering. The woman went in the store bought all the items she requested and returned her home, invited her to church saying “Everything will be just fine. It is going to be some hard days but trust in God and He will help you through, just as He did today.”
This scenario captures my attention to David’s Psalm, he wrote “Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds,” Psalm 36:5. David was saying others may shut up their compassion, yet, with God there is always mercy available for the righteous. What great comfort there is to know our heavenly Father is merciful.
The young girl was distraught with her life. She had a baby and no father was there to help her support the child. She could not see any way to stretch the $10 she had to get her baby what she needed. I imagined she walked down the long road wishing she could change back the hands of time.
There are many things we have done against the will of the Father but God is still merciful and reaches out to us. Today many people who have made mistakes and walk around miserable wishing, “if I could go back to that moment prior to that decision.” Yet what is done is done.
Consider changing your focus on the mercy that waits for you from the Lord. Call upon God to meet you in your area of weakness. Ask the Father to hold you as you lift yourself to Him, trusting God while not being ashamed in your time of despair. Trust as David trusted “though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand,” (Psalm 37:24).
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Are You Planning
During a conversation a man told me his wife stepped out to buying groceries while he was home while the children napping. She takes her time grocery shopping as her cell phone rings consistently. After the 3rd ring tone she answers the phone. It was her husband in a panic saying, "the kids are up, what am I going to do with them?"
This scenario is common for many households. Once the parent that typically instructs the children is gone for a moment the other is seeking a plan to get the children out and about.
Often times many seek a plan after things are in motion, instead of prior. Before you were created God already had a plan in place for you. God does not create something and then set a plan in motion. He has a plan before the creation.
My mind is captured by the calling of Jeremiah. In the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah God spoke to the Prophet Jeremiah saying "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations," Jeremiah 1:5.
God was basically saying to Jeremiah, prior to your birth I chose you and made you different and gave you the position as a prophet. He was to serve not only the Jews but neighboring nations also.
Jeremiah was a young boy and I imagine him wondering, who am I to follow out such task. God came to Jeremiah to give him confidence to let him know I have the blue print for the directions I have given you.
Have you wondered how to get to one point, yet not considered planning from the beginning? Maybe you are in motion to a certain destination and wonder why things are bumpy along the way. Possibly you jump into projects without reading the directions initially.
Consider seeking God first before setting out. Pray to God to guide you to your purpose. Ask God to reveal what He has positioned you to do in life, for we all have a purpose in life.
This scenario is common for many households. Once the parent that typically instructs the children is gone for a moment the other is seeking a plan to get the children out and about.
Often times many seek a plan after things are in motion, instead of prior. Before you were created God already had a plan in place for you. God does not create something and then set a plan in motion. He has a plan before the creation.
My mind is captured by the calling of Jeremiah. In the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah God spoke to the Prophet Jeremiah saying "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations," Jeremiah 1:5.
God was basically saying to Jeremiah, prior to your birth I chose you and made you different and gave you the position as a prophet. He was to serve not only the Jews but neighboring nations also.
Jeremiah was a young boy and I imagine him wondering, who am I to follow out such task. God came to Jeremiah to give him confidence to let him know I have the blue print for the directions I have given you.
Have you wondered how to get to one point, yet not considered planning from the beginning? Maybe you are in motion to a certain destination and wonder why things are bumpy along the way. Possibly you jump into projects without reading the directions initially.
Consider seeking God first before setting out. Pray to God to guide you to your purpose. Ask God to reveal what He has positioned you to do in life, for we all have a purpose in life.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Let The Sheppard
I have been instructing a writer’s camp for children and after the first week I got sick. It was Friday and all of a sudden, I was sick. At the same time the ministry God placed upon my heart was being attacked. The enemy was out to get me and destroy my perspective of what my Sheppard, the Lord has been establishing within me.
I had another week to instruct the children so I thought I have to do something for a speedy recovery. I finally decided to go to the doctor and I sat down. I did absolutely nothing during the weekend but pray, rest and pray some more.
On Sunday, I began to feel better and I was able to go on through the next week. I had to continue to call on God because in my Spirit I knew it was deeper but I could not put my hands on it. I found myself totally dependent on God for each day knowing a spiritual battle was taking place. As I knelt to pray today, I prayed to the Sheppard.
I was drawn to Psalm 23; most people learn this psalm as a child. I never understood it as a child.
It says, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
As I have grown, I am learning more of what David was really saying. I imagine David saying “My Sheppard can meet my spiritual needs and so much more.” As your life feels like it is strenuous the Sheppard can restore your soul.
When you feel like you can go no longer and your soul is dry look to God to make you lie down. Maybe you are in a dry season as God is positioning you to a place of rest. Sometimes our Sheppard crafts a circumstance that makes you give up all of your ability to fix whatever has drained your life, so you are completely resting on Him. Possibly you are in a circumstance you can’t get out of it is because you are not suppose to be doing the fixing.
God presents to us our insufficiency by our faults. God is saying sit down so He can restore you from what is draining you. Our Sheppard is sufficient but when we refrain from yielding and continue to go on and on our soul is not being restored by our Sheppard.
If you are trying to tally up enough money to pay your house note, opening up your piggy bank in hopes for just enough for gas for the day, running to your bed to rest for a moment and do it all over again perhaps you are drained. As you look around can you continuously see how insufficient you are? Do you seek God as you are on your way to your next destination hoping He will shine some light so you can make it through?
Consider your insufficiency alerting you to lie down in His green pastures. Allow the Sheppard to restore you in the midst of His green pastures and stop looking at the still water and let Him pour the living water in you. Ask God to halt your thoughts. Pray to the Father to make you weak so He may give your soul what it has been thirsting. For God is able.
I had another week to instruct the children so I thought I have to do something for a speedy recovery. I finally decided to go to the doctor and I sat down. I did absolutely nothing during the weekend but pray, rest and pray some more.
On Sunday, I began to feel better and I was able to go on through the next week. I had to continue to call on God because in my Spirit I knew it was deeper but I could not put my hands on it. I found myself totally dependent on God for each day knowing a spiritual battle was taking place. As I knelt to pray today, I prayed to the Sheppard.
I was drawn to Psalm 23; most people learn this psalm as a child. I never understood it as a child.
It says, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
As I have grown, I am learning more of what David was really saying. I imagine David saying “My Sheppard can meet my spiritual needs and so much more.” As your life feels like it is strenuous the Sheppard can restore your soul.
When you feel like you can go no longer and your soul is dry look to God to make you lie down. Maybe you are in a dry season as God is positioning you to a place of rest. Sometimes our Sheppard crafts a circumstance that makes you give up all of your ability to fix whatever has drained your life, so you are completely resting on Him. Possibly you are in a circumstance you can’t get out of it is because you are not suppose to be doing the fixing.
God presents to us our insufficiency by our faults. God is saying sit down so He can restore you from what is draining you. Our Sheppard is sufficient but when we refrain from yielding and continue to go on and on our soul is not being restored by our Sheppard.
If you are trying to tally up enough money to pay your house note, opening up your piggy bank in hopes for just enough for gas for the day, running to your bed to rest for a moment and do it all over again perhaps you are drained. As you look around can you continuously see how insufficient you are? Do you seek God as you are on your way to your next destination hoping He will shine some light so you can make it through?
Consider your insufficiency alerting you to lie down in His green pastures. Allow the Sheppard to restore you in the midst of His green pastures and stop looking at the still water and let Him pour the living water in you. Ask God to halt your thoughts. Pray to the Father to make you weak so He may give your soul what it has been thirsting. For God is able.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Choices that Humiliate or Illuminate
Six days before the big day of graduating a young man on the verge of becoming a man approaches his parents. His parents are excited because they have been waiting for 18 years to see their son walk across the stage to receive his diploma. He sits at the kitchen table asking his parents to listen to him.
His mother anxiously says “What is it; you look as if your life is over?” His father mockingly interjects, “Once you walk across that stage boy, you would have lost your life of childhood and entered into manhood.” The young man hangs his head low embarrassed to tell his parents. Cheerfully his mother says, “Son, tell us what it is, you have to go to school, you haven’t graduated yet.”
At that moment it was as if time stood still, as the young man opened his mouth trembling saying, “Mom, Dad I have a son, he’s six weeks old and I can’t go to college as you thought. I have to stay here and take care of my kid.”
His father stands with a heartless glare upon his lopsided face. His mother drops her head saying, “Oh My God, what have you done.”
Many parents look forward to a positive future for their child. They anticipate that all the instructions, the correction, and rules have molded them to be a good responsible productive person. Nevertheless, children do not always respond in such manner. Many adults don’t always respond by obeying as if they are in the presence of God. A mistake is made and the response of fear takes over.
Fear is like a sensor that measures your growth. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).
Typically, parents hope that when their child leaves home, on the second phase of their life they will act as if they were still in their presence. Yet event adults react in wreck less manners taking action in their own comfort.
Our decision reflects if we are going to have an attitude honoring God in fear or honor our self. How do you respond in the absence of others? Do you reply the same as if God was before you?
Reflect on the decisions you make in the physical absence of your heavenly Father. Consider children in your absence, as you remind them to think about their choice don’t forget about your choice - will it humiliate or illuminate God?
His mother anxiously says “What is it; you look as if your life is over?” His father mockingly interjects, “Once you walk across that stage boy, you would have lost your life of childhood and entered into manhood.” The young man hangs his head low embarrassed to tell his parents. Cheerfully his mother says, “Son, tell us what it is, you have to go to school, you haven’t graduated yet.”
At that moment it was as if time stood still, as the young man opened his mouth trembling saying, “Mom, Dad I have a son, he’s six weeks old and I can’t go to college as you thought. I have to stay here and take care of my kid.”
His father stands with a heartless glare upon his lopsided face. His mother drops her head saying, “Oh My God, what have you done.”
Many parents look forward to a positive future for their child. They anticipate that all the instructions, the correction, and rules have molded them to be a good responsible productive person. Nevertheless, children do not always respond in such manner. Many adults don’t always respond by obeying as if they are in the presence of God. A mistake is made and the response of fear takes over.
Fear is like a sensor that measures your growth. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).
Typically, parents hope that when their child leaves home, on the second phase of their life they will act as if they were still in their presence. Yet event adults react in wreck less manners taking action in their own comfort.
Our decision reflects if we are going to have an attitude honoring God in fear or honor our self. How do you respond in the absence of others? Do you reply the same as if God was before you?
Reflect on the decisions you make in the physical absence of your heavenly Father. Consider children in your absence, as you remind them to think about their choice don’t forget about your choice - will it humiliate or illuminate God?
Monday, May 18, 2009
God's Word
Over a year ago I felt being a mother, a wife and myself had an absolute no value. I was “Mrs. Busy Mom on the Go,” by day and “I Can’t Stand my life,” by night. I felt I was drowning with day to day tasks of ongoing hours of tending to others and never replenishing my soul to go on for another day. I would drag myself to do for everyone else and not dare to make time to call out to God to help me through the eye of the storm.
During this crisis in my life I felt moved to help encourage others yet all I could see is, "I needed to be set free."
As I consider my situation my thoughts are reminded of the Lord declaring, “My thoughts are not as His thoughts, nor my ways as His ways” Isaiah 55:8.
Today I am at peace with being me; I have a loving supportive husband that I am elated about being his wife and four children that I love dearly with being their mother.
I seek God as David saying “Make you ways known to me Lord; teach me your paths” (Psalm 25:4). I know that His Words bring light and give understanding to one with little experience (Psalm 119:130). I seek Him to show me what He is doing and why. I stand before the Father in search of His ways and my mind is captured by the Lord’s declaration “His Word that comes from His mouth, will not return to Him empty but it will accomplish what He pleases, and will prosper in what He sent it to do” (Isaiah 55:12).
God’s Word is a revelation sent to germinate. Often times God sends forth a Word for us to trust Him and because we lose sight of our focus we sit on His Word. We treat His Word like a new suit that hangs in your closet, unworn, because you don’t know where to wear it. It hangs in the closet unworn and unused, waiting on you, maybe because you think you don’t have matching shoes or the accessories to complete the suit. The Word of the Lord has all the components you need to do what the Father has asked of you. Yet it waits on you.
How are you responding to your life at this moment? Has God sent forth a Word and you are sitting on it?
Perhaps the Lord has sent a revelation and instead of fearing the Father you respond in fear to the transition. Maybe you don’t realize your response measures your spiritual development.
Consider asking the Father to show you His ways. Pray that you discern what the Lord is up to. Call upon the Father to direct you as you yield yourself to His will. For “you will indeed go out with joy and be peacefully guided” Isaiah 55:12.
During this crisis in my life I felt moved to help encourage others yet all I could see is, "I needed to be set free."
As I consider my situation my thoughts are reminded of the Lord declaring, “My thoughts are not as His thoughts, nor my ways as His ways” Isaiah 55:8.
Today I am at peace with being me; I have a loving supportive husband that I am elated about being his wife and four children that I love dearly with being their mother.
I seek God as David saying “Make you ways known to me Lord; teach me your paths” (Psalm 25:4). I know that His Words bring light and give understanding to one with little experience (Psalm 119:130). I seek Him to show me what He is doing and why. I stand before the Father in search of His ways and my mind is captured by the Lord’s declaration “His Word that comes from His mouth, will not return to Him empty but it will accomplish what He pleases, and will prosper in what He sent it to do” (Isaiah 55:12).
God’s Word is a revelation sent to germinate. Often times God sends forth a Word for us to trust Him and because we lose sight of our focus we sit on His Word. We treat His Word like a new suit that hangs in your closet, unworn, because you don’t know where to wear it. It hangs in the closet unworn and unused, waiting on you, maybe because you think you don’t have matching shoes or the accessories to complete the suit. The Word of the Lord has all the components you need to do what the Father has asked of you. Yet it waits on you.
How are you responding to your life at this moment? Has God sent forth a Word and you are sitting on it?
Perhaps the Lord has sent a revelation and instead of fearing the Father you respond in fear to the transition. Maybe you don’t realize your response measures your spiritual development.
Consider asking the Father to show you His ways. Pray that you discern what the Lord is up to. Call upon the Father to direct you as you yield yourself to His will. For “you will indeed go out with joy and be peacefully guided” Isaiah 55:12.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Crying Out
One night my baby was crying because he was not feeling well. I'd taken him to the doctor and followed all the directions, according to the doctor but he appeared to not be getting any better.
He cried through the night and I held him close to me. My level of concern was rising and I cried to God asking Him, What to do? I prayed that He would heal my son and give me wisdom to tend to the child He gave me to watch over as He would see fit.
Like a baby, wisdom cries out loud for us. Wisdom wants our attention because with wisdom you make better decisions. “Wisdom calls aloud in the streets; she rails her voice in the public squares; at the end of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech” (Proverbs 1:20-21).
Wisdom is like a hidden treasure that you have to search for (Proverbs 2:4). Yet upon your treasure hunt you have to follow directions. Those directions come from the Father. “For the Lord gives wisdom and from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).
Today many are pondering about how to get in the will of God. Some want the reward yet detest the requirements. Wisdom calls out to those that are willing to hunt for it. Wisdom is valuable and like all things that are of value you have to work for it.
Consider seeking God for wisdom. Don’t be discouraged by the lions roaring at you, instead focus on the Lord as Daniel did in the lion’s den. God will shut the mouth of your lions as well.
Allow God to calm you and give you peace. Pray to God for wisdom. Call upon the Lord to forgive you for not doing what He says to do and open your heart to yield to the Father. Wisdom is supreme. Go get wisdom. Yes it is costly, but get understanding (Proverbs 4:7).
He cried through the night and I held him close to me. My level of concern was rising and I cried to God asking Him, What to do? I prayed that He would heal my son and give me wisdom to tend to the child He gave me to watch over as He would see fit.
Like a baby, wisdom cries out loud for us. Wisdom wants our attention because with wisdom you make better decisions. “Wisdom calls aloud in the streets; she rails her voice in the public squares; at the end of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech” (Proverbs 1:20-21).
Wisdom is like a hidden treasure that you have to search for (Proverbs 2:4). Yet upon your treasure hunt you have to follow directions. Those directions come from the Father. “For the Lord gives wisdom and from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).
Today many are pondering about how to get in the will of God. Some want the reward yet detest the requirements. Wisdom calls out to those that are willing to hunt for it. Wisdom is valuable and like all things that are of value you have to work for it.
Consider seeking God for wisdom. Don’t be discouraged by the lions roaring at you, instead focus on the Lord as Daniel did in the lion’s den. God will shut the mouth of your lions as well.
Allow God to calm you and give you peace. Pray to God for wisdom. Call upon the Lord to forgive you for not doing what He says to do and open your heart to yield to the Father. Wisdom is supreme. Go get wisdom. Yes it is costly, but get understanding (Proverbs 4:7).
Friday, May 8, 2009
Stop, Go To Him
I have a friend and she has been the busiest mom, I know. That is hard to say because I am a busy mom but this mother I call “Busy Mom, on The Go.” She is ripping and running up and down the highway commuting at least 40 minute each morning from Covington to Atlanta to help her relative, helping a friend in the community, trying to keep things together in the house, help tend to the one of her children who had been sick and another whom is getting in trouble at school. This friend of mine is busy, too busy to stop to ask for any help, too busy to tend to herself, too busy for life.
About a year ago, I was her. After all the busy ways of life, I found myself existing and not living. I became frustrated, an anxiety spirit consumed me, my view was clouded and it was difficult for me to make decisions, making time to go to the doctor was tedious, being a mother was tough, loving myself was far from reach, praying was hard, living was hard-hitting, as I attempted to do everything in my own strength.
Sometimes in our life you have to stop and go to the Lord. Our Father has all of your concerns in control. He has a plan for your plan but if we don’t stop and go to Him you will drown.
In Mark 5, I recall the story of Jarius, a man of great faith. His daughter was deadly ill. Jarius was a busy man in the ministry and community. He was a senior pastor, the top man in the congregation; he had a significant job in the Palestine. Jarius was a busy man with a family. When his daughter got sick he stopped and knelt down before Jesus and pleaded about his daughter. He told him, come lay hands on my daughter and she will be healed. They walked to his daughter but as they walked the woman with the issue of blood for 12 years caused Jesus to stop.
I can see Jarius, curiously saying “everything must be okay. If Jesus has time to stop it must mean she is fine.” Jarius stayed right there with Jesus when He stopped. He stayed right there and did not move until He finished.
You can’t get so busy with life that you don’t stop to go to the Father for your needs. Jarius knew Jesus was the great physician. He knew He could do all things. He had child like faith.
When my daughter came to me at the beginning of this year with her list to publish her book she did not consider how much it would cost, would I have time to get it done, she knew it was a done deal. My daughter reminded me of the Faith that the Father wants us to have in what seems to be an impossible situation. She believed that her book would be published and for that it occurred.
How hectic is your schedule today? Are you walking your path? Have you stopped when there was a delay in your life? A delay is not an automatic denial but a pause.
Sometimes it feels as if you are being pulled from left to right. However, don’t forget to stop and take your needs to the top doctor, the main provider, the comforter, the will in the middle of a will.
Consider throwing yourself a life jacket in the deep ocean and hold on to the Father. Remember Him for who He is and trust Him. As mother’s day is approaching pray for a mother today. Ask God to help the mother’s of our world to come to a halt and go to Him. Call upon the Father and give Him your special need. Pray to the Lord that you embrace Him and get extremely close so you may find the way through the day.
About a year ago, I was her. After all the busy ways of life, I found myself existing and not living. I became frustrated, an anxiety spirit consumed me, my view was clouded and it was difficult for me to make decisions, making time to go to the doctor was tedious, being a mother was tough, loving myself was far from reach, praying was hard, living was hard-hitting, as I attempted to do everything in my own strength.
Sometimes in our life you have to stop and go to the Lord. Our Father has all of your concerns in control. He has a plan for your plan but if we don’t stop and go to Him you will drown.
In Mark 5, I recall the story of Jarius, a man of great faith. His daughter was deadly ill. Jarius was a busy man in the ministry and community. He was a senior pastor, the top man in the congregation; he had a significant job in the Palestine. Jarius was a busy man with a family. When his daughter got sick he stopped and knelt down before Jesus and pleaded about his daughter. He told him, come lay hands on my daughter and she will be healed. They walked to his daughter but as they walked the woman with the issue of blood for 12 years caused Jesus to stop.
I can see Jarius, curiously saying “everything must be okay. If Jesus has time to stop it must mean she is fine.” Jarius stayed right there with Jesus when He stopped. He stayed right there and did not move until He finished.
You can’t get so busy with life that you don’t stop to go to the Father for your needs. Jarius knew Jesus was the great physician. He knew He could do all things. He had child like faith.
When my daughter came to me at the beginning of this year with her list to publish her book she did not consider how much it would cost, would I have time to get it done, she knew it was a done deal. My daughter reminded me of the Faith that the Father wants us to have in what seems to be an impossible situation. She believed that her book would be published and for that it occurred.
How hectic is your schedule today? Are you walking your path? Have you stopped when there was a delay in your life? A delay is not an automatic denial but a pause.
Sometimes it feels as if you are being pulled from left to right. However, don’t forget to stop and take your needs to the top doctor, the main provider, the comforter, the will in the middle of a will.
Consider throwing yourself a life jacket in the deep ocean and hold on to the Father. Remember Him for who He is and trust Him. As mother’s day is approaching pray for a mother today. Ask God to help the mother’s of our world to come to a halt and go to Him. Call upon the Father and give Him your special need. Pray to the Lord that you embrace Him and get extremely close so you may find the way through the day.
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