Tonight I was asked the question, "What do you see?" This is the same question God posed to Jeremiah in Jeremiah Chapter 1. When I was asked this question my life and dreams replayed rather quickly before me much like they do in the movies. Every move myself and now my family has made began having a reason. I began to see God's hand all along the way.
When I was young I was the wild, passionate weirdo for God. God always had me with people or in places I really did not fit in and all I knew to do was to stand strong for Him. Honestly, noone ever really thought me weird and they all listened. I remember telling someone I thought was a great friend and fellow Christian that I believed God was going to use me to reach a lot of people for Christ. When he asked me what I meant by a lot, I said, "A LOT." I shared with him that I once had a dream where there was an endless amount of people and when I woke up my passion to share God with people was unbearable. I really felt like I was called to do great things, awesome things that only God could do through me. My "friend" looked at me that day and told me that I was crazy. God would never use me like that. I think a part of that dream faded and I have tried very hard for a long time to see parts of that dream come to past but never seeing it or believing it to God's potential.
I never completely lost that vision. In fact, while a children's pastor at my last church my vision for that ministry was to IMPACT THE WORLD. The vision is still there. My passion is definitely there! Lately, as each day goes by, my heart has been stirring. There is a desperation within me for the lost. I know the answer for so many hurting people and I want them to know that God IS that answer. Suddenly tonight, I no longer ask God the questions...Why is my famiy in Corpus Christi when we don't fit in? Why are we here when friends and family live so far away? Why can't I find people that love God as much as I do? Lord, why have you moved us in new directions in our life? Why have I had to struggle and go through situations I never dreamed of?...ANSWER: GOD HAS A PLAN. HIS WAYS ARE HIGHER THAN OUR WAYS. ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE THE LORD. I AM NOT IN CONTROL...HE IS!
I still don't understand everything, but I know I do have a vision that God gave me as a young girl and I am ready to do whatever it takes to see that through. I want to see families restored. I want to see God's name and word back in our schools. I want to see people running to know God and I want to see Believers running to meet these people to share Christ with them.
WHAT DO YOU SEE?
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Until the Whistle Blows
It has been a while, but I needed to reflect a bit. This has been a very sad week or so for me. Last week two of my former students lost a parent, one to cancer and one to kidney failure. This was hard for me because I don't wish for any child to be without their support system especially to death.
This evening in the midst of reflecting upon these lives, I watched the movie We Are Marshall. In the movie the coach says to get out there and play until the whistle blows. You know, that is what God asks of us, too. Get out there and get it done until the trumpet sounds His return.
Losing parents, friends, is not easy. God deals with this loss everyday. He desires that none would perish. We as Christians should purpose in our minds everyday to make a difference and connect people to the salvation of Christ. We shouldn't rest until we have done all we can do. Anymore, I think poeple take the easy way out. Jesus never waited for the lost to find Him. He went and found them. We should follow in that example. So, "Get out there and play until the whistle blows."
This evening in the midst of reflecting upon these lives, I watched the movie We Are Marshall. In the movie the coach says to get out there and play until the whistle blows. You know, that is what God asks of us, too. Get out there and get it done until the trumpet sounds His return.
Losing parents, friends, is not easy. God deals with this loss everyday. He desires that none would perish. We as Christians should purpose in our minds everyday to make a difference and connect people to the salvation of Christ. We shouldn't rest until we have done all we can do. Anymore, I think poeple take the easy way out. Jesus never waited for the lost to find Him. He went and found them. We should follow in that example. So, "Get out there and play until the whistle blows."
Monday, March 3, 2008
Music
Tonight in my readings for school, I ran across a quote by Zoltan Kodaly, a late Hungarian composer and educator. He once said, "There is no sound spiritual life without music." I know for me this is very true. If I am running late to church and miss part of praise and worship, I feel like I have missed my time with God. We were created to worship God. It was once said when we get to heaven it will be nothing but praise and worship. I think this is our time with God when we draw close to him. When our hearts seek Him out to let Him know who He is in our lives, how we feel about Him, to let Him know we need him. It is almost like a small child at the feet of his/her parents crying out letting them know they need to be held awhile or that they love them or need something.
How is your spiritual life today? Have you cried out to God lately? Do you sing a new song to Him? Have you declared Him the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords over your life? I challenge you today to spend some time with God in worship, honor, and praise today. God is worthy of our praises. Let your heart and VOICE be lifted up today!
How is your spiritual life today? Have you cried out to God lately? Do you sing a new song to Him? Have you declared Him the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords over your life? I challenge you today to spend some time with God in worship, honor, and praise today. God is worthy of our praises. Let your heart and VOICE be lifted up today!
Monday, February 4, 2008
Don't Quote Me on That!
"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow"
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
I am back in school and learning more about how to teach and communicate with children. I feel like a lot of what I have been learning I already know in theory, but my goal is to dig deeper. I need to figure out how I can do things different to make the biggest impact. I figure if I am responsible for making a difference in a child's life and I want to see them grow, then I better be growing as well. I feel like the past couple of year's whether it is with my communication skills, graphics, knowledge...it has been a huge growth time for me. I am not taking it for granted and I do not want it to go to waste. Jesus grew the disciples, not for them to go back to their comfort zones or what they used to do when he was gone, but for them to continue making a difference in the lives of others. Are you making a difference in the lives of others?
I want to leave you with a fortune cookie saying my husbad has taped to our bathroom mirror...
Each day compel yourself to do something you would rather not do.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
I am back in school and learning more about how to teach and communicate with children. I feel like a lot of what I have been learning I already know in theory, but my goal is to dig deeper. I need to figure out how I can do things different to make the biggest impact. I figure if I am responsible for making a difference in a child's life and I want to see them grow, then I better be growing as well. I feel like the past couple of year's whether it is with my communication skills, graphics, knowledge...it has been a huge growth time for me. I am not taking it for granted and I do not want it to go to waste. Jesus grew the disciples, not for them to go back to their comfort zones or what they used to do when he was gone, but for them to continue making a difference in the lives of others. Are you making a difference in the lives of others?
I want to leave you with a fortune cookie saying my husbad has taped to our bathroom mirror...
Each day compel yourself to do something you would rather not do.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Let the Children Come
Children's Ministry is not for everyone. Some people can not even consider being in a room with more than one or two kids at a time, but for me it is a calling, something I was meant to do. I would like to challenge you today to reach out to the little people God places in your life. God is all about life change, FOR EVERYONE. Don't be afraid they won't bite, not that long, anyway.
Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
When we think of Making Disciples for Christ we need to start while they are young. It is proven that as a person gets older it is less likely that they will make a decision for Christ. The way they are raised and influenced early in life carries on through to adulthood. Our belief system develops early. If Christ is not poured into their lives early, they will one day wake up with a void they can not figure out how to fill. And we all know that it is much harder to talk to and fascinate a teenager than it is to awe and influence a child. It is never too early to start making a difference in a person's life. So,don't pass up an opportunity to share Jesus with a child, while they still think you know more than they do. It could make all the difference for the Kingdom of Heaven
Jesus knew how important it was to touch the life of a young person. He was quoted in the Gospels as saying, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
I really like this illustration in the Bible. Here we have a group of guys who are bothered and probably nervous around a bunch of children. They think that children would do nothing but bother and disrupt Jesus. Funny, adults still think that way sometimes. They put children at a different table to eat at large gatherings or seclude children to the back half of a room to avoid any disruption. Yet, Jesus counted them the most precious of all. In fact, He thinks we should be more like them. Don't be afraid to let children join in adult worship or join you in an adult setting. If you watch, they worship without any reservation. They don't have their minds full of life, but their hearts full of awe, love, and wonder.
Children, learn by our example. Are we living a life, right before God, worthy to be their example. I encourage you to not just make disciples within your comfort zone, but reach far beyond what you can imagine and reach others you would not normally interact with...including children. After all, the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them. The influence you have for Christ in the life of a child will carry through a lifetime having a rippling effect for YEARS to come.
Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
When we think of Making Disciples for Christ we need to start while they are young. It is proven that as a person gets older it is less likely that they will make a decision for Christ. The way they are raised and influenced early in life carries on through to adulthood. Our belief system develops early. If Christ is not poured into their lives early, they will one day wake up with a void they can not figure out how to fill. And we all know that it is much harder to talk to and fascinate a teenager than it is to awe and influence a child. It is never too early to start making a difference in a person's life. So,don't pass up an opportunity to share Jesus with a child, while they still think you know more than they do. It could make all the difference for the Kingdom of Heaven
Jesus knew how important it was to touch the life of a young person. He was quoted in the Gospels as saying, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
I really like this illustration in the Bible. Here we have a group of guys who are bothered and probably nervous around a bunch of children. They think that children would do nothing but bother and disrupt Jesus. Funny, adults still think that way sometimes. They put children at a different table to eat at large gatherings or seclude children to the back half of a room to avoid any disruption. Yet, Jesus counted them the most precious of all. In fact, He thinks we should be more like them. Don't be afraid to let children join in adult worship or join you in an adult setting. If you watch, they worship without any reservation. They don't have their minds full of life, but their hearts full of awe, love, and wonder.
Children, learn by our example. Are we living a life, right before God, worthy to be their example. I encourage you to not just make disciples within your comfort zone, but reach far beyond what you can imagine and reach others you would not normally interact with...including children. After all, the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them. The influence you have for Christ in the life of a child will carry through a lifetime having a rippling effect for YEARS to come.
Too Long
Wow! Time sure does go by quickly. I have been very busy with much stuff. In fact, too much to bore you with. Honestly, my posts may be fewer for the next few months, but my mind is always thinking and my heart is always growing.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
What an Experience! Challenge to Follow!!!
This journey through the Book of John has been a fulfilling, learning experience. It is a discipline that should already be instilled in me. Excuses or not, the bottom line is we should be feeding ourselves daily.
I know with the holidays and with normal motherhood responsibilities, blogging may not be an everyday thing. (Thus, why some of my post fall all on the same night.) However, reading and building myself up on the foundation of God's Word is a MUST, even more because I am a mom and my children are looking to me to be their example in life. My diligence in daily filling myself and prayer has already had GREAT results. My babies, every night read a devotion. It is a must before going to bed. This is an amazing blessing I am so thankful for. Just the other night I was away during bedtime and Dad was out of town. My 6 year old son woke up that morning and said, "Mom, I know you will be away at bedtime, but I already have the devotion ready for tonight and I will read it to my sister before we go to bed." Thank you, Lord, that my children are already learning how to be your disciples.
CHALLENGE: I have challenged kids for years to read one chapter of Proverbs a day every month. We should all GET WISDOM. How do we get the wisdom of the Lord? Read the wisdom He gave us. It just so happens that Proverbs has 31 chapters, wisdom for each day of the month. I am going to begin reading Proverbs each day. Starting in January, as my schedule permits, I will blog about Proverbs in the same fashion I did John with a hint of how God is speaking to my children through Proverbs, as well.
Parents, we have a HUGE responsibility to our children to be feeding them the word of God. I challenge you to not only encourage them to read the Bible, but to share in their Bible experience. You were given a Great Gift when you were given a child. To much is given, MUCH is required.
I know with the holidays and with normal motherhood responsibilities, blogging may not be an everyday thing. (Thus, why some of my post fall all on the same night.) However, reading and building myself up on the foundation of God's Word is a MUST, even more because I am a mom and my children are looking to me to be their example in life. My diligence in daily filling myself and prayer has already had GREAT results. My babies, every night read a devotion. It is a must before going to bed. This is an amazing blessing I am so thankful for. Just the other night I was away during bedtime and Dad was out of town. My 6 year old son woke up that morning and said, "Mom, I know you will be away at bedtime, but I already have the devotion ready for tonight and I will read it to my sister before we go to bed." Thank you, Lord, that my children are already learning how to be your disciples.
CHALLENGE: I have challenged kids for years to read one chapter of Proverbs a day every month. We should all GET WISDOM. How do we get the wisdom of the Lord? Read the wisdom He gave us. It just so happens that Proverbs has 31 chapters, wisdom for each day of the month. I am going to begin reading Proverbs each day. Starting in January, as my schedule permits, I will blog about Proverbs in the same fashion I did John with a hint of how God is speaking to my children through Proverbs, as well.
Parents, we have a HUGE responsibility to our children to be feeding them the word of God. I challenge you to not only encourage them to read the Bible, but to share in their Bible experience. You were given a Great Gift when you were given a child. To much is given, MUCH is required.
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