No, sorry, this post is not about who wore what to which awards show, as if that even really matters in the long run. I had an interesting conversation with a lady at my salon about a week ago; many of you know that I go to a bi-weekly appointment, and I relish bringing the Word of God with me and sharing it with anyone that He puts in my path. The last time that I was there I was in the middle of talking to this lady and I suppose I mentioned that my husband was a pastor, and she responded with a side eye and said, “whoa, whoa, back up…you’re a pastor’s wife?” To which I smiled and responded in the affirmative. She had a quizzical look on her face which prompted me to ask what was wrong; well, her response tickled me: “You don’t look like a pastor’s wife”. Ohhh ok, I felt much better. Of course, with me being me I had to play along for a little bit; I asked her, “so what does a pastor’s wife look like”, and she began to stammer and look embarrassed, then she apologized as if she had offended me. To the contrary, I was humored and thankful, but I still wanted to hear her explanation and I waited patiently for it. She stated that I didn’t dress like a first lady, and that whenever she saw me there that I was always casual and laid back (I don’t know what that has to do with looks, but ohkay!). I got it though, I already knew where she was going… Read the rest of this entry »
Monthly Archives: February 2012
Finish the race.
I have to admit, I love sports! My husband and I coached, for many years, peewee football and middle school football; he was the head coach and I coached the receivers as well as being the personal team trainer. I also enjoy watching other spectator sports, but the one that I want to focus on today is track and field. Our youngest daughter participates in this sport; she runs the four by one-hundred, the one hundred meter, and she does both one hundred meter hurdles and shuttle hurdles.
The other day the team had their preliminaries and since my daughter missed track last year because of our move, I knew that she was a bundle of nerves. There were about six other teams competing, and the competition looked tough. My daughter’s last event was the shuttle hurdles, and if you don’t know what they are (which I didn’t at the time) it is where there are 5-6 lanes and each lane has ten hurdles placed among 100 meters, and each team has 4 members poised by two on each end of their lanes; once one teammate clears their ten hurdles the next teammate comes back in the opposite direction, and so on until all team members have cleared their set. *Whew* Read the rest of this entry »
Through the Fire! (A Testimony)
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy (1 Peter 4:12-13).
I have always told my family that there are two ways that I do not want to die: one is that I shiver at the thought of drowning, with my lungs being filled with water and not being able to breathe , NOOO! The other way is that I do NOT want to die in a fire; it’s just unfathomable to me, and even when I see the news about a home being on fire with people left in it, my heart weeps for them. It seems such a tragic way to pass! Yet many times we as believers are walking through fire without the flames; the heat of our trial becomes so hot that we feel that we are suffocating, can’t breathe and feel that we may not survive. We have all heard the term “trial by fire”, and it is usually applied to initiations, new employment or some other carnal ceremony or ritual. What about Godly trials? Do you have what it takes to survive them?
Just a little while ago I was listening to a song that had me praising God, and before I got two minutes into it I received bad news on two sides; one came in the mail and the other via the doorbell, and it happened in rapid succession! My trial had begun. After I got a chance to catch my breath for a second, I can be completely honest and say that I began to cry, and I could hardly catch my breath. When my son asked me what was wrong, I told him that I can usually be the strong one, take things to God in prayer and leave it, yet in that moment I allowed the fire to consume me. I told him that it was one thing on top of the next thing on top of another thing, and that I felt that it was more than I could bear. Then I laughed through my tears and remembered that Jesus’ burden was much heavier, as He carried the whole world on His shoulders. When my son asked me how he could help, I laughed again and told him, “only God can help me right now son, thanks”. Read the rest of this entry »
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Are you a thief?
Yes he looks ominous doesn’t he? Scary almost in a cartoonish way, but imagine my surprise last night when during my prayer to God, He interrupted me and asked me, “are you a thief?” My mind immediately went back to Kroger, where I was earlier in the day. I used U-Scan and paid for my four items. So I answered, “no Lord, I don’t think so”, then the question was asked again from Him, “are you a thief?” Again my mind traveled the course of my life; I was 13 and in a discount department store, and despite having money I pilfered a teen book that I enjoyed reading. I got caught, was taken to security and they called my mother. My days of petty theft were finished right then a there! So I replied to God, “that was many years ago Lord, and I repented and got saved 10 years later…you know that East-West thing God?” And again He asked, “are you a thief?” Then I knew that this question was rhetorical, whew!
So let me ask you, are you a thief? Before you answer, let me show you how Jesus dealt with a thief:
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Lk. 23:43).
The conversation which took place on the cross between Jesus and the malefactors (or criminals) was very short, but also extremely significant. I can imagine that these criminals were the worst of the worst; possibly today’s rapists or murderers, robbers, or carjackers would be their equivalent. I cannot imagine that they would be crucified if their crimes were not heinous.We are not privy to what their crime actually was, but the fall back is to them being thieves, possibly because it is easier to digest than a worse crime.
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Spiritual dumping ground – An illustration
Many of us, at one time or another, have battled with letting go of something or someone that we know would not be pleasing to God. Even though He tells us to cleanse ourselves of all filthiness of the flesh and spirit (2 Cor. 7:1), we find ways to hold on to the “old things” which poison our spirit. In order to be effective ministers and messengers of Christ, we have to get rid of every sin and every weight that so easily beset us (Heb. 12:1). Let Jesus have it and be free. Enjoy this illustration by Onetimeblind Ministries.
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