Stars

One of my most favorite things to do in the whole wide world is to look at the stars. There is something so captivating about their beauty. Its just humbling to think that the God who created each of those beautiful lights in the sky and knows them by name cares intimately about me. Its just one of those things that tends to render me speechless. Anyway, in order to see the stars clearly I have to drive way out into the country. This too is perfectly okay with me because I love going on drives. The farther away from the city and all of the other distracting lights the more clearly I can see the stars and their beauty. Just like those city lights, sometimes the distractions of this world cloud our view of knowing God and seeing all of His beauty. We get so caught up in the temporary lights that we fail to see the majestic beauty that God has to offer us. It takes us choosing to set our sights on the Lord to be able to grow to know Him more and to be more like Him. I don’t want to get so busy being distracted by the temporary lights of this world that I miss out on seeing the beauty that the Lord has to offer in my relationship with Him. James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and He will come near to you.”

Hiking Adventures

So in my opinion, most moments in life are teachable moments. There is something we can learn from just about everything, we just have to be willing to learn. Keeping this thought in mind, I went hiking with some friends. Personally, I love adventures. I love hiking and going fast and all of that kind of stuff and to make matters worse.. I am very competitive. As we began our quest up the mountain I did as I usually would and set up the mountain. About half a mile along the way I looked back to see that one of the girls who had joined us on the hike was a ways behind. Then, that teachable moment hit me. How many times in life do I get so caught up in simply “getting there” that I miss the opportunities to help someone else around me? Do I get so caught up in all of the things that I need to do or what I think is going to be best for me that I miss God give opportunities to love someone well? 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” I want my life to be more about Christ and the others around me and less about what may or may not be best for me. Plus if you think about it the real adventures in life come from getting there and make the prize so much better if you take the time to care for someone else along the journey. Also along the hike that day I had another thought. We stopped by a flowing river. It was so peaceful to listen to the sound of the water rush by and the stillness it that moment. I looked down into the river and watched the rocks. They were all so round and beautifully shaped. They didn't have the jagged edges as rocks typically do. Those rocks had been shaped by the rushing water. Shaping them into something beautiful didn’t happen over night. It took time and wasn't easy. Just as the water refines those rocks, I began to realize that the Lord was doing the same thing in my life. Its not going to be easy, in fact its probably going to hurt but with the time an rushing waters of this life the Lord is making me more like Him and into the woman He has created me to be. James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” As I kept hiking up the mountain, of course I kept stewing and well... tripping. I am terribly clumsy but I guess thats okay because I accept it. The funny thing though is that the times that I trip the most are the times that I take my eyes off of the path. Hello, teachable moment number 3. In my walk with the Lord I need to make sure that He is my focus because when I take my eyes off of Him, I tend to stumble. 1 Corinthians 9:24 says, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” I want my life to be all about winning the prize and in order to do so I need to keep the Lord as my focus. Finally teachable moment number four. Let me be real with you, the hike was not easy. In fact, it was really hard. But because it was so hard, the view was that much more beautiful. I gained a whole new appreciation for the view and the beauty of God creation. In life, things aren't going to be easy. Things just simply aren't usually going to be handed to me on a silver platter, I need to remember that in those moments where the hike seems tough or too hard to climb that my God is faithful. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” Clearly, there is a common theme. I need to keep my eyes only on the Lord for He is faithful.

Running lessons

So basically, its been a while. Sometimes I just get so caught up in trying to make things happen or in this silly little idea that I can be wonder woman and do it all that I seem to miss what its really all about. Right at that point, where I seem to think I have it all under control, God teaches me lesson. I am so thankful that God is so faithful and that even in all of my mess, He still chooses to purse me. Anyway, in case you were unaware, I love to run. Its one of those things that has always been an escape for me. Helps me to clear my mind or get away from the pace of everyday life. While on one such runs I noticed something. Running was so much easier when I focused on the path right in front of me rather than looking all around and focusing on whats going on around me. In my life this idea applies too. I need to be focusing on the Lord rather than on all of the distractions that the world throws past me. I need to trust God for each step of the what and yearn for more of the Lord and for less of myself. As I kept running that day the sun began to set and I found myself running in the dark. The path that I could surely see before was no longer visible. Sometimes in our walk with the Lord we can’t always see the path or where we are going but we can trust that the path is still there, just like God is still there. We need to “live by faith and not by sight,” as it says in 2nd Corinthians 5:7. Even when I can’t see the path or where I am going I need to trust the Lord and depend on Him as I strive to keep my eyes on the prize (Philippians 3:14).

The margins

The Margins

Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “ Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” The Green Team as well as Riverside Church, was challenged with this verse by pastor Daniel Black in Fort Myers, Florida. Throughout Jesus’ ministry one can clearly see that most of His ministry was done in the margins of His life. In those times outside of the spotlight and public eye, his ministry never stopped. In efforts to be imitators of Christ, the Green Team took on this challenge and made it a point not to miss the margins.

Right down the road from the hotel, in Fort Myers, where the team was staying, was a small, family owned bagel shop. A few staffers decided to change up the breakfast menu and ended up in this shop and formed an immediate bond with the owner, Adam. As the relationship began to grow they decided to ask him if he had any children whom they could sponsor to send to camp and they left it at that. A few hours later three children appeared in the camp office. The staffers would later find out that these beautiful and bouncy children weren’t actually the Adams. They were the children of Mrs. Diaz, a mother who happened into the Bagel shop a few hours after the staffers had left. These kids had spent their entire summer in the back room of a furniture shop where their parents worked and were itching for an opportunity to be normal children for a week.

As the week continued, staffers began to build relationships with each of the three children and God began to do a great work in each of their hearts. By the end of the week, William, Kira and Alex came eye to eye with the savior and accepted Christ for the very first time. The staffers gave them bibles and from the moment they received them, the children didn’t put them down. They dug into the Word and began to ask questions, not only to the staffers but to their parents as well. The Diaz’s, who hadn’t stepped foot in a church in years, didn't have any idea how to answer these questions. They began to wonder why their children had developed such a strong desire for the Bible as well as what had changed in them. She decided to make plans to start brining her children to church. William, who suffers with a form of muscular dystrophy, began to dig into Revelation. Alex, who was seven years old, began to ask Mrs. Diaz about a woman named Mary and someone named “Jose.” Because she had no idea how to answer this question, she came to the WinShape staffers. They were able to share the Gospel with her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she heard about the saving grace that comes freely and abounds for all who believe in Jesus Christ. She wanted to know more about the Gospel and this gift so she asked for bibles -- not only for herself, but for her husband and sister as well. The Diaz family made plans to have weekly family nights where they would spend time in the Word together. When the Diaz family arrived at Chick-fil-a Friday Fun Day, they didn’t come alone. She brought her sister and her sister’s boyfriend, who decided that they too wanted to start coming back to church. Christ’s love is contagious. Isn’t it beautiful how Jesus works through the margins in our lives? Take this simple story as a challenge. Are you doing ministry in the margins of your life or are you letting these moments pass you by? 

Isaiah 43:1

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name, you are mine" Isaiah 43:1

I wish that I had the words to describe the freedom I find in this verse. It has always been hard for me to fully grasp the idea that I am His and that there simply isn’t anything that I can or cannot do to Merit Gods favor. Deep down I am so afraid of doing something thats going to disappoint God.  I long to be like David, a woman who is after Gods own heart and sometimes I feel as though I don’t live up to this call. The liberating thing is, is that God doesn’t see me the way than man sees me. While I may let my parents, friends, family and even myself down, there isn’t anything I can do to cause God to love me any less. He has fearfully and wonderfully made me (Psalms 149:13), with a specific purpose. While I was still a sinner He saved me and was the atonement for all of my sins (Romans 5:8). What amazing grace! 

God speaks though Isaiah reminding us not to fear! God has already paid our debt, He has called us by name, what do we have to fear? No longer do I have to fret disappointing God, He loves me anyway. He has redeemed me! When He paid the ultimate sacrifice on the cross, he paid my debt. He gave it all so that I might have life and life more abundantly (John 10:10)! So not only has God liberated me from fear, He has redeemed me and summoned me by name! Think about that. The God of the whole universe knows you and I by name. I think about my classes in school and to be quite frank with you, I don’t know everyone by name. Thats probably about 100 people who I see regularly and I can’t even name them all, but yet the God of the whole universe knows me by name. To think that He cares that much about me, and knows every intricate detail about my life is overwhelming but, it gets better. He says, “ You are mine.” Woah. The Lord of all the universe, has called me His own. I know that I am proud of the things that I claim or call mine. They are things that I treasure and hold with high regard and value. According to dictionary.com the definition of “mine” is belonging to or associated with me. We belong to God, He associates us with Himself. What an honor. Even in my weakness the savior has called my name and calls me His own. Find freedom in the fact that you are His and that He is holding you in the palm of His hands. Psalms 73:23 says, Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.”