It’s Not What We Have but Who We Have

“See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are!” 1 John 3:1

We do not deserve nor should we have…. We are unworthy, sinners, who deserve death. Yet we live as though we are entitled to things, some things, money, happiness, health, pleasure, success.  

These things, they take away from Him, His purpose, and us. They take away who God made us to be, His children, His love, His chosen ones.

Being those, are greater than being rich, happy, healthy, fulfilled from pleasure and successful. Being those, gives purpose, meaning, value, and are things that last, remain, and are constant.

His children, His love, His chosen ones, these we don’t deserve to be, but are, by His grace, His mercy, and His love for us, you and me. What better things are there than these?

“You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ, dear friends in Rome. God loves you dearly, and he has called you to be his very own people. May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 1:6-7

On Separate Sides Of The Cross His Fringe Is Touched

"She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his robe." Luke 8:44

It's constant, his itch and pain. It lingers, and flares, and covers his little body. This sickness of the skin. I know, he knows, we all know, but yet he keeps going, never saying, just playing. All while it rages, and covers, this itch, this pain. 

"He's three!" I murmur. But I know, he knows, we all know, it could be so much worse, so we give praise, we say our thanks. We are blessed. He's alive, he's ours, he smiles and laughs. He is busy and squirmy, funny and smart. He's alive and healthy, so we are blessed, we are thankful. 

It's been long, this battle of the skin, sickness, and cyst. Three years long. As we wade through one more opinion, one more doctor to offer relief. One more scan of this little brain, we pray, we trust, we know, we all know...we are blessed. 

This woman, three years is short to her suffering of 12 years. The bleeding, the draining of life, energy, and strength. Living as an outcast, rejected, and called unclean. She knows suffering and pain. She has waded through the opinions of doctors, praying one, just one could bring relief. 

When one day, her on one side of the cross and him on the other, He came. He came and brought relief. The two, one grown and one only three, know, relief has come, and without words, just faith, they reach up and touch the fringe of His robe. 

  

Altar Sunday

Today I lay down the things of "Me." My wants and desires, my fears and worries, my selfish thoughts and actions and my need to be served.

Today I lay down "Me" in order to pick up more of Him.

Jesus keep me from picking these things up as I walk away from laying them down. Amen

What I Thought Was Right, Was Wrong

"We put no confidence in human effort. Instead, we boast about what Christ Jesus has done for us." Philippians 3:3

"I have accomplished all I have wanted to in this profession." The man stated. "I have reached the top."  

"So, what now, what's next? What have you learned?" She asked the man

"Now, I don't know. What's next? I want to focus on what lies ahead for me and my family, and that is heaven. I want to put me aside and focus on serving Christ and my family more. What have I learned? Alot!  All these things that I thought to be important; success, being the best, being at the top, means nothing in the end. They are worthless compared to what Christ has done.

In reaching the top of my career, I counted more on my own goodness, human effort and ability, than I did on knowing Christ. I have realized that all this, that I thought I wanted, never satisfied me. It only left me frustrated and empty. 

Today, I have learned to focus on a new goal, a goal that is everlasting. I have learned that real satisfying success comes from Christ, not from me. I had a better relationship with my job and all its success, than I did with Jesus, and I don't want that anymore. Because that relationship, though it led me to the top, it also left me empty, frustrated, greedy for more, selfish, demanding, prideful, and up and down. 

Today I am trusting Christ to save me. Today I am no longer putting confidence in my own human effort. Instead I am going to talk about what Christ Jesus has done for me. For then I can really know Christ and share in His suffering. 

Today I am choosing the path He has laid out for me and not the path I want for my own.

7 Day Challenge

"Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts." 1 John 5:21


Things that take God's place;

T.V.
Self
People
Job
Money
Shopping
Activities
Internet
Facebook
Hobbies
Busyness

Can you add to the list? What takes God's place in your heart?

How can we keep these things from taking God's place and becoming our idols? We can begin by realizing each of these things are all about the "Me". We can monitor the time we spend investing in each one, verse the time we spend with the Lord and in His Word.

Then we can put aside our selfish ambitions, pick up our crosses, choose Jesus first, feed our hearts His truth, instead of trash, and follow Him and His ways and not the world's.

Sound pretty easy? It is when Jesus becomes your habit and when your desire for Him is greater than your desire for the things of this world.

It is daily and a choice.

Here is a challenge; Write down the amount of time you spend on the list above (BE HONEST) Then for the next 7 days spend that same amount of time with Jesus in His Word.

Jesus if I spend more time investing in the things of this world, may my conviction be so strong I become miserable. Amen

It’s Time to Get Uncomfortable and Make a Change

"Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Rejoice. Change your ways. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you." 2 Corinthians 13:11

Have you become too comfortable where you are? Are you content with the way things are around you? Maybe your attachment is so strong, the thought of uprooting, or even making a change, scares the daylights out of you. 

As I think back on Paul's life, I bet he struggled with the same things. I bet he grew attached, maybe even became a little comfortable, and I do stress a little. As often as he was thrown in prison, beat, and starved, I can't imagine him, able to get as comfortable as we do. 

With every church he planted, he met and served alongside men and women he grew to love and adore. But Paul always knew his stay would not last long. Paul found out throughout his ministry how often several of his churches became too comfortable and content with sin and little growth, thus calling them out with boldness and love.

I think we have the same problem and need to be called out as well. We have become too comfortable in our own homes, towns, and lives. We have grown immune to the sin in us and around us. We fuss about the problems but what are we doing about the problems? We lack boldness, compassion, and fail to promote peace. 

Instead we demand our way, cause dissension, and we have even segregated ourselves. We have made it more about religion than a personal relationship with Christ. There is only ONE GOD and ONE BODY. So why are we splitting churches? Why are we saying one is better than the other, why are we not working together as one body that stands on the Word of God and shouts with one voice? Instead there are so many voices it has become utter chaos. No wonder the lost are confused. They see and hear two different things.

What keeps Jesus from completely wiping us out? I only know one answer to that. Romans 2:4-11 "Don't you see how kind, tolerate, and patient God is with you? Or don't you care? Can't you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin? But no, you won’t listen. So you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself because of your stubbornness in refusing to turn from your sin. For there is going to come a day of judgment when God, the just judge of all the world, will judge all people according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and practice evil deeds. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on sinning-for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good-for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.”  Grace and mercy that is why!

The changes that are being made, are they made to better ourselves or to exemplify the Lord? Do we sit and wait for others to do something, or do we follow the Lord's leading and get busy doing all things in His name, for His glory, with love, compassion, kindness, as one body and in peace?

The biggest devastation I see about this comfortable, complacent living are the lives that are being affected. If we tolerate sin within our homes, lives, churches, schools and communities, so will our children, generation after generation.

We need a Jesus change brethren, wouldn't you agree? Let’s not wait for our letter or God’s wrath to turn from our sinful ways. Let’s change now, because Christ is coming and He deserves nothing but our absolute best.

Jesus we have become to self –focused, thus losing sight of what is most important-YOU. Forgive us. May we who are called by Your name turn from our sins, humble ourselves and pray. For then, You will bring healing to a very broken world. Amen

Guaranteed Delivery

I know you will think I am crazy and behind on times, and in reality, I probably am. But I have just recently discovered this amazing thing. Tracking my shipment! Just recently I ordered something and was later sent an email that said, "Keep track of your shipment."

So I clicked on the tracking number and it took me to a page that was so detailed. It showed me where my order was, when it was sent, the day, the time, the hours until I would receive it, etc.

It was fabulous. I got more excited checking that email and watching where all my order went just to get to me.

It has been a busy little thing, and doing a lot of sightseeing.

I am thankful for these men and women who work all around the clock so I can get mail, even if it is bills.

I never realized how much work was put into getting mail and/or packages. But today I am thankful.

Do you know something else many of us don’t realize or even get excited about for that matter, is watching God’s Word spread?

Just like my mail and package is delivered by man, so the Word of God is delivered by us. It starts, let’s say in Jasper TX and before we know it, His Word has spread from Jasper clear across the World. Amazing isn’t it?

The difference here is; God’s Word is a lot more beneficial and exciting than this package I am waiting on. And though I cannot track where all God’s Word goes when I send it out, I do know for a fact it is being sent out, and is busy at work, doing a lot of sightseeing, and changing tons of lives as well.

How do I know God’s Word is spreading, well one, I am spreading it along with lots of my other brothers and sisters, and two, God tells me so, in my favorite verse. Isaiah 55:10-11 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my WORD. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”

So though I can’t keep record everyday of where all God’s Word goes when it is spread (sent out), I can be sure it is going out, and will reach each person it is to be delivered to.

Now that is exciting!

Jesus, thank You for the guaranteed delivery of Your Word. Amen

One Amazing Relationship

“I love your sanctuary, LORD, the place where your glory shines.” Psalm 26:8

Do you think it is humanly possible to just sit in the presence of Christ, with no requests, no words, nothing, just the two of you? You, enjoying His presence and warmth, and Him just being Him, amazing, and holy!

Oh I long for these moments. Okay, I live for these moments, and yes it is humanly possible. The problem for me is, when I get there, I don't ever want to leave. 

Jesus and I have this time together quite frequently, except for lately. And brethren I am missing it. Yes we spend time together every day studying His Word. And that is amazing, but sometimes, well really, a lot of times, I need everything to be turned off, the studying, the requests, the thoughts, the words, everything, so I can just enjoy Him, His presence and His Holiness. 

This relationship, Jesus and I have, is, sigh, beyond magnificent. It is refreshing, fulfilling, satisfying, and beautiful. Honestly, I am just so blessed to be considered His lover, daughter, and bride.

I desire this closeness with Jesus. Do you?

Oh, I hope you too; have an intimate relationship with Jesus, one that allows you to sit in His presence, with no requests, no words, nothing, just the unbelievable joy of being together.

Jesus I am unworthy to have such an amazing relationship with You, the most Holy God. Thank You. Thank You for the most unbelievable love relationship ever imagined. Amen

Stop Right Where You Are

“Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Psalm 55:22

Their burdens are light, actually they have none. Right now they walk with in faith and trust, holding their heads high and their shoulders upright. These two little boys, walk behind the yoke of G and I.

For us we have gotten off track. Our weight is heavy and our burdens are many. Our shoulders are pushed forward as we try to carry each one. His more so than mine, and often times the weight he carries has him bent all the way over, where his eyes only see his toes.

We, G and I, often times step out from behind the Lord, thinking we can carry the weight on our own. All to find it is too much for us to bear.

Why do we try to bear the weight alone?

It is not for us to carry. “Get behind me”, He says. “Take my yoke upon you.” Matthew 11:29

His yoke fits perfectly, and the burden He gives is light. The yoke of the world is heavy and wearisome and its burdens are more than we can bear.

This thinking and believing we can carry the weight on our own, has been traced back all the way before Jesus walked the earth. 

“So now the LORD says, ‘Stop right where you are! Look for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.’ But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’” Jeremiah 6:16

The Israelites tried to walk out from behind God too. They took more burdens and weight upon themselves than they could bear, and it only caused more sorrow, pain, and problems. It accomplished nothing.

We do the same thing, when we reject taking the yoke of Jesus. We accomplish nothing and gain nothing. Instead, we pile on the weight, cause more problems, add more stress, and increase the pain.

What are our burdens anyway?  If we would stop and lay them down, we would see that a majority of every burden we bear, we created.

Satan likes to weigh us down with the things of this world, and the sad thing is we let him. We take on the stress of our jobs, the problems of others, our financial situations, and sin.

In spite of all the burdens we bring upon ourselves, or that others place upon us, there is hope for us.

And that hope is found in Jesus.

“The LORD is faithful in all he says: he is gracious in all he does. The LORD helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads. All eyes look to you for help; you give them their food as the need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.” Psalm 145:13-16

“Then Jesus said, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

 Jesus it just seems like such nonsense that we have tried to carry so many of our burdens alone. Free us from this crazy thinking. Remove the yoke of ourselves, and place Your yoke that fits perfectly upon us. For then and only then will our burdens be light. Amen

Altar Sunday

"There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God!" Psalm 43:4

I come to the altar not for me, but for You, Lord. I come to give You the honor and glory You deserve. I come to bask in the warmth and beauty of Your presence. Here at the altar, I fall on my knees and out stretch my arms, lifting my voice in worship and praise.

You are Holy and lovely, O Lord my God. You are worthy of all praise. Glory and honor belongs to You, my rock and my redeemer. May You be high and lifted up.

Today I come to praise.

Everyday Should Be Sunday

Now seek the LORD your God with all your heart and soul. Build the sanctuary of the LORD God so that you can bring the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant and the holy vessels of God into the Temple built to honor the LORD’s name.”
1 Chronicles 22:18-19 


How do you prepare your heart for Sunday worship?

Do you spend Monday through Saturday preparing your heart? Or do you wait for Sunday?

Jesus deserves a heart that worships Him more than once a week. He deserves a heart that is constantly, everyday, preparing for Him, worshipping Him, and seeking Him.

He deserves a heart that treats everyday as though it was Sunday.

Jesus everyday should be a Sunday. Help us to treat each day as though it was. For then we would live in a state of constant worship, praise, and preparation. Amen

An Opportunity to Give

We have an opportunity today to reach into our giving...fund and pull out some love, aid, and help to a family in need. 

I don't have all the details, but the one that matters most. They have lost everything. The fire consumed it all in its fury. It left nothing untouched. Though it did not reach them physically, it reached them mentally, deep in their hearts, in their minds, it found its way. 

Until I am able to give more distinct details, I ask that if the Lord has opened your heart to giving, giving Him, giving His love, would you pray for this family of many. This family of many, now without a home, is trying to figure out what next. 

We are all capable of praying, we are capable of giving, giving love, help, encouragement, and even money. 

There Is Only Room For One

"Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests, and asked, "How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you? And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. From that time on, Judas began looking for the right time and place to betray Jesus." Matthew 26:14-16

His "ME" desired to be fed. It begged for attention, praise, and money. If only he could wrap his fingers around those three things and bring them into existence, the "Me" would be satisfied, quieted, less demanding. It, the "Me" would finally have what it wanted.

He was sure he was on the right track. He was the treasure for Jesus and knew he would one day be great in the Kingdom of God. He just had to wait it out, keep doing what he was doing. The only problem was, the "Me" grew more and more impatient as time went on. 

And then one day, he, the "Me", realized his hope for praise, attention, and money would never happen as long as he followed Jesus. 

So he did the unthinkable, and all for the sake of pleasing and feeding the hunger pains of the "Me". He betrayed Jesus.

For the first time the "Me" was temporarily satisfied. But it didn't last long. That temporary fix, soon turned into a gut wrenching pain, shame, and fear, that lead him to his own death, a death that the "Me" drove him to. 

This desire to please the "Me, the self" is deadly, not only to yourself, but to others around you. The need to please and tend to the "Me" is what placed Christ on the Cross. There were many, many "Me's" placed on the cross that day. "Me's" that love the temporary satisfaction of the world, the sin. 

There is not room for Christ and "Me". Only Christ! When our hearts and minds focus on what the "Me" needs and wants, it begins to take the place of Christ. It becomes first. It becomes our idol.

Jesus take up every square inch of my heart, and fill my thoughts with only Your Word, so that the "Me" is suffocated out and has no room to return. Amen

Healing will Come

"Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of leprosy." 2 Kings 5:10

I placed breakfast on the bar and moved to the sink to rinse the dishes, when Avery suggests that I pray this morning.

We bow our heads and offer our thanks, and ask our request for Dax to be healed. We close with amen, when out of his precious mouth Avery says, "Mommy, it is kind of like Dax has leprosy, Jesus healed the man with leprosy. He will heal bubba too." (Dax has mild to severe eczema, okay, severe crawl out of his skin every second eczema.)

I turn my head back to the sink, laugh, and ask Avery, "Did you learn that last night with daddy?"

Avery, "Yes, mommy, does Dax have leprosy?"

"No baby, Dax does not have leprosy." I replied.

"Jesus will heal him, mommy."

"Yes baby, Jesus will heal Dax."

He has not one question or doubt, he believes Jesus will heal. How have we lost that faith in Jesus today. That faith that does not question or doubt, just faith that believes Jesus will heal.

So many suffer, yes, but those who belong to the Lord, are ALWAYS healed. One way or another Jesus ALWAYS heals, whether in life or death. Healing is coming.

Jesus thank You for the faith of this child. May we all have this child-like faith. Amen

The Simple Beauty of His Penmanship

“These stone tablets were God’s work; the words on them were written by God himself.” Exodus 32:16

On this side of the cross, the sky as His tablet, He, in the simplest form, nothing fancy, just plain reaches down from Heaven and places a J.

To a mommy lost in the thoughts of her day, it brings stillness. To a five year old little boy who spots it from the backseat and shouts, “Mommy look, a J for Jesus.”  It brings questions, intrigue, and reveals Jesus’ awesomeness.

“How did He do that mommy?”

“Do what baby?”

“How did He put His letter there?”

In the simplest form, nothing fancy, just plain. He reaches down from Heaven and places a J.

                A mommy still and silenced gazes at the beauty of His penmanship. She gently breaks the silence with a soft whisper, “Thank You.” Thank You for giving him, this 5 year old little boy, the vision to see You, Jesus, in the things that many of us don’t! Thank You Jesus, for the visible gesture of love You have given us. Thank You, for reaching down from Heaven, in the simplest form to show Your presence.

Jesus thank You for allowing us to capture the beauty of Your penmanship and presence. Amen

Confess, Acknowledge, and get Honest

Do you ever just wish you could physically cleanse your heart? I mean really get in there with a hammer and chisel and clean out those hardened areas.

David felt that way too, and since he couldn’t physically clean out his heart, he went to the One who could.

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 

Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, 
and my sin is always before me.  Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.  Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 

Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 

Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 

Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 

Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. 

Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 

Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.  My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.” Psalm 51

All throughout this prayer is healing, beauty, hope, and reassurance. David knew the only way to be cleansed and healed was by confessing, acknowledging, and being completely honest before the Lord.  

Maybe it’s time we confess, acknowledge and get honest before the Lord so we, too, can be cleaned out.

Jesus because of Your great compassion blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from sin. Then create in my a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me. Amen

Altar Sunday

Jesus as we gather together in Your house. May our hearts be open and receptive to Your Word and the teaching of the Holy Spirit. As we approach the altar may we lay all at Your feet that hinders us from having complete fellowship with You.

Jesus bring us closer to the cross.

What is He calling you to lay at the altar?

Still Wondering

"Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you." Romans 12:3

Yesterday I asked you how much faith God has given you? I am curious if you answered that question?

I pondered on that passage all night long. How much faith God has given you. It really is a powerful verse and a deep question.

This morning I looked into some parallels and wanted to share them with you, because if you are like me, you have to exhaust every area of understanding humanly possible.

Amplified- "For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him." Romans 12:3

The Message-(I really like this one) "I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him." Romans 12:3


NASB-"For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith." Romans 12:3


NIV- "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you." Romans 12:3


Each translation brings a whole new meaning to the passage. I love it! 


I believe The Message brings it to a whole new level for me. "The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God IS and by what he does for us, NOT by what we are and what we do for him." 


Faith-knowing who God is and what He does for us. Wow!


Jesus thank You for the amount of faith I have been given, may it only increase from here to eternity. Amen

How much faith have you been given

"Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us."

How much faith has God given you?

No More Hiding

“Now, although Adam and his wife were both naked, neither of them felt any shame.”  Genesis 2:25

They are seen, our sins.  There is no hiding. Not from Him there’s not. To Him they are public, to man they are both hidden and public.

There is no running, not from Him, from man, yes, but not from Him. Not from Jesus.

Adam and Eve tried that, running and hiding, from God. “Toward evening they heard the LORD God walking about in the garden, so they hid themselves among the trees. The LORD God called to Adam, ‘Where are you?’ He replied, ‘I heard you, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” Genesis 3:8-10

We try it too.

The fear, shame, and embarrassment, it used to not exist. Only beauty, exposed, raw, pure beauty existed, that was before the apple.

That apple, full of poison, filled them, filled us with shame, fear, and embarrassment and with the need to hide, to bury, to cover up. Even to deceive.

Intimacy and closeness became less intimate, more distant. Now on this side of the cross, today, in 2012 they have even become less sacred, more used, more accepted in all the wrong ways.

Many of us bear the scars of those decisions. Many of us still wear the chains of the worldly intimacy and closeness with man. We give into the flesh, the pulling of our chains.

Many of us still try to hide those scars, for some they are still fresh, raw, sore, and shameful.

He sees them, there is no hiding. No matter how many layers we apply. We might be able to keep man from seeing, but He sees, Jesus, He sees them.

There is no deceiving, only transparency. Transparency, that is as clear as glass and can be seen all the way through. There is no hiding, no covering it up.

The hiding we think we are doing, is hurting Him, the One who sees it and hears it, the One who is standing right there, right beside us. He is everywhere.

Not even the dark of night can hide it, the sin, it can’t even hide us. Exposed, always exposed before Him.

What if we stopped hiding, running, deceiving, and came to Him? What then?

Then He would cover us in the clothing of His blood. He would draw us in, close and intimately just as we are. He would wipe away the shame; remove the fear, and embarrassment, and then strip us of all the sin. Bringing us back to the way it should be, the way my friend Paula says, with such beauty. He would bring us back to being naked and UNashamed.

Just as they were, Adam and Eve, in the beginning, before the apple, before the sin!

“Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.” Psalm 32:5

 Jesus bring us back to You naked and unashamed. May our scars be a constant reminder of the scars you bore for us. May we stop running and hiding and come to You just as we are, in chains, in shame, in fear, and lay at the foot of the cross, exposed and broken before You. For then, then we will be set free, healed, and held intimately and closely in the arms of You, our saving grace. Amen

Giving Fund

“Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, ‘Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well’-but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?” James 2:15-16

This need to give, to do till everything is given and done, has resulted in a Giving Fund.

Giving doesn’t always mean money. We can give many things, our time, prayer, a cooked meal, a pie, a hug, an ear, a Bible, groceries. We can give a blanket, a coat, clothes, extra toys. Things we have excess in that could be beneficial to someone who has little.

What about love, kindness, gentleness, Jesus, friendship, support, encouragement.

All of these things we can give, we can do.

All of these things require less of the “Me” and more of them, more of Him.

In Philippians 2:3-4 Paul says, “Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.”

The Giving Fund requires us to make ourselves nothing, just as Christ made Himself nothing. (Philippians 2:7)

It requires selflessness, humility, and a heart with a pure motive.

So I ask that you pray for this Giving Fund. Pray it will become all that God wants it to be. Pray it will bless as many lives and break the bondage of slavery that many are living in. Pray for God’s guidance and leadership to govern it. And pray for people to take part in the Giving Fund.

If you are interested in being a part of the Giving Fund, please contact me or my husband at;

godlygossip@gmail.com or garrett.morgan@jasperisd.net

Our prayer is that, we, the Body of Christ will join together, functioning as one, to serve. Would you consider serving with us? You can do it right where you are.

It is only good enough, when the enough, becomes everything.

“In all the world has there ever been such sorrow? O daughter of Jerusalem, to what can I compare your anguish? O virgin daughter of Zion, how can I comfort you? For your wound is as deep as the sea. Who can heal you?”  Lamentations 2:13

When you wonder if you are doing enough, giving enough for Him who gave everything, did everything.

So many starving, homeless, and hurting people surround me and I wonder if I am doing enough. Then again when did enough become good enough? It only becomes good enough when the enough has become everything.

This burden and brokenness of doing more, it doesn’t go away, instead it increases, it deepens when you see the smile on the faces of those He has helped. That’s joy, true joy, joy that I crave, joy that is given freely by Him, His grace.

It is enough when taken, it is more than enough, because everything He has and is, is more than enough, it is everything.

He brings me back to the 27 million chained to slavery. I can see them, the chains; their marks left on me are a constant reminder of what He did for me, how He set me free; free from sin, death, and more.

I can see the chains still wrapped around the arms of those enslaved to hunger, fear, abuse, sin, loneliness, and worldliness. And it causes me to look at my scars and my heart breaks. How can I do more, give more, for Him for them.

They grow tighter, those chains, they grow tighter and become heavier. I see them on the girls around the world enslaved to sex-trafficking, to women enslaved to their husbands who in some countries are free to beat them, hurt them, use them, and leave them. Those chains, tight and heavy are even strapped on girls and women in America.

For many, those chains were put on by others, but for a lot they put the chains on themselves, hoping that love came with those chains. When will it be enough, when will His love be enough, it is everything, His love, isn’t it?

I see so many bearing the chains of slavery, some of them are women dressed beautifully who sit in church. Others walk the streets, the aisles of Walmart, even the halls of school, bearing those chains of slavery.

Captivity is what slavery really means, and it just so happens that there is One who is able to set the captives free. Christ!

His death, His blood, His resurrection! It sets us free. It can set them free. But they have to see, from us, who bear the scars, not the chains, but the scars. They have to see Him in those scars.

Help, aid, love, the Word, consistency, His blood, and the Cross. They each need to see, hear, and know about each of them, that hope lies within them and that He offers it freely to them.  For then enough becomes everything.

Who will go? I will go Lord, send me.

“Then I heard the Lord asking, ‘Whom should I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Lord, I’ll go! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8

27 Million

"I have cried until the tears no longer come. My heart is broken, my spirit poured out, as I see what has happened to my people. Little children and tiny babies are fainting and dying in the streets. Mama, we want food, they cry, and then collapse in their mother's arms. Their lives ebb away like a life of a warrior wounded in battle." Lamentations 2:11-12

"Did you know 27 million people live in slavery?" Those words rolled off his tongue, out of his mouth, and straight into my heart. 

As our Pastor spoke that deafening truth, I was floored. 27 million people live in slavery.

Let that sink in for a minute. Maybe some of us are included in that 27 million. My first thoughts were those bound in the slavery of starvation, addiction, sin and abuse.

That saddens me greatly. It also saddened Jeremiah greatly, in the powerful book of Lamentations. Jeremiah had a love for people that ran so deep, he was often found broken and weeping. The people turned to selfishness and sinfulness and rejected God, therefore bringing great suffering and exile upon themselves. It devastated the Lord, which devastated Jeremiah.

Do we share in the same sorrow for the 27 million people living in slavery today? Or do our eyes only see inward? I am guilty Lord of looking inward, forgive me.

Jeremiah wept until tears no longer came. His heart broken and his spirit poured out, as he saw what had happened to his people. Little children and tiny babies are fainting and dying in the streets. They are crying out, “Mama, I am hungry.” And then collapse in their mother’s arms. This is reality today! The slavery of starvation!

I can't help but to be brought back to the question I asked you earlier in the week, "Where are we brothers and sisters? Where are we, those of us whom call ourselves servants of God?"

.How can we rise up within our own communities and help those trapped in slavery?

Today I pray our eyes would only see the slavery that surrounds us. I pray our hearts would begin to break for the things that break the Lord’s. I pray we move outside of our comfort zones and fears and into the battle field where slavery runs rampant.

Jesus break my heart for what breaks Yours. Forgive me for thinking I have to have more in order to help more. I have plenty in You, and in You my resources and funds will never run dry. Amen

Altar Sunday

"When they arrived at the place where God has told Abraham to go, he built an altar and placed the wood on it. Then he tied Isaac up and laid him on the altar over the wood." Genesis 22:9

May today be the day we lay ourselves on the altar as a living sacrifice to the Lord. Surrendering all of ourselves to the One who paid the price.

Jesus remove us from our comfort zones, remove us from our routine today as we gather together in Your house. May Your presence be so known and the Holy Spirit be so strong within us that we move outside of the confinement of our pews and kneel at the altar of Your feet. Amen

Praying with Confidence

Moses replied, “When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD’s.
Exodus 9:28-30

Do we pray with such confidence as Moses? We really don't have to plea, we just have to believe.

If you have ever kept a prayer journal or calendar and went back and looked at it, when were the times you saw your prayers answered? More than likely those were the times you believed and trusted fully and completely.

Oh, that we, as brothers and sisters would pray with such confidence. For then I believe God would do some mighty things!

Make Me Nothing

 There are many moments spent with the Lord that He reveals a deep truth that leaves me startled, yet curious and broken.

Have you ever been there?

The truth was found here;

“Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross.” Philippians 2:6-8

I have done the complete opposite of what Christ did. I have demanded and clung to my rights as whom, Kristi. Who am I, that, I should demand and cling to these rights I think I have?

Understand I am not speaking negatively of myself or degrading myself, by any means. I have learned a very important truth this morning, brethren.

How can I believe or even think that I deserve anything, brethren I deserve nothing, and I should not demand or cling to what I think I deserve.

Christ, God Himself, did not demand or cling to His rights as God. And if anyone deserves or has the right to cling to His rights, it is Him.

I, a mere mortal, have believed that I deserve to be happy, I deserve to have things, I deserve to get to go and do things, I deserve to spend what I want, because it is my money, I deserve to be rewarded for the things I have done and do, I deserve to take a break, I deserve to be pampered.  And I have clung to those rights.

The truth is; Jesus made Himself nothing. He took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. He came here to serve and did not demand to be served, nor should I, a mere speck, who by His grace alone even exist.

This world leads us to believe we have rights and that we should demand those rights. But if I, a lover of Jesus Christ, want to imitate Him, then I must make myself nothing. I must take on the humble position of a slave.

Jesus forgive me for demanding my rights. Forgive me for clinging to them as though I actually deserve them. Thank You for opening my eyes and showing me the first steps in overcoming the “me”. Thank You for showing me through Your Word what it means to be truly humble. Amen

Anyone can wear the title.

“I call to you, to all of you! I am raising my voice to all people. How naïve you are! Let me give you common sense. O foolish ones, let me give you understanding. Listen to me! For I have excellent things to tell you. Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth and hate every kind of deception. My advice is wholesome and good. There is nothing crooked or twisted in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those who want to learn.” Proverbs 8:4-9

Where are we brothers and sisters? Why are we hiding? Why are we not taking a stand for Christ more?

Why are our churches not packed? We, who call ourselves children of God? Where are we? He is calling us. His voice is raised.

Why do we not crave His wholesome and good advice?

Has the world captured us? Has it lured us into to selfish living?

He has wonderful and excellent things to tell us, so why are we not listening more? We should crave His voice.  He makes it plain and clear for us. So why do we make it so difficult?

Are we afraid?

Do we only want the title of Christian, yet not live as one?

The cost of following Him means giving up everything, yourself, your wants and desires, your comfort, everything. The rich man had the opportunity to follow Christ; all he had to do was sell everything.

All we have to do is sell everything and follow Him. He, who is calling, He, the One who offers wholesome and good advice. He, the One who gives life, hope, peace, comfort, protection, healing, love, and joy.

We are few, you and me who have counted the cost, sold it all, died to it all, we are few.

Anyone can wear the title, Christian. But only a few will ever walk it.

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

Trust Issues

“This is what the Lord says: Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the LORD. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, on the salty flats where no one lives. But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.” Jeremiah 17:5-7

Which are you? The one who puts his/her trust in mere humans, or the one who puts his/her trust in the Lord?

I am beginning to see how quickly we respond with, “I trust in Christ.”

That was me this morning when Jesus and I were visiting. He asked me the same question and I was quick to say, “You, Jesus, I trust in You.”

When He quickly replied, “In all things? You trust Me with every part of your life?”

Sigh…

“Am I the first one you come to? Often times I am, but more often you go to a human." 

Oh, brethren these moments, not my favorite, but in the same sense some of the best moments because Jesus is the love of my life and I am desperate to please Him in every way possible, and it begins with my trust in Him.

So, what can be learned from this?

For starters I need to bring it down and place my trust under a microscope. 

Secondly, I need to constantly be aware that if I am putting my trust in anyone or anything other than Christ I am going to have trust issues.

Thirdly, I need to evaluate all situations and circumstances according to the Word of God.

When I am sick, do I trust the doctor to heal me or do I trust Christ? Yes doctors are fabulous but doctors are also human. Jesus created my body, He knows it best.

In my marriage, do I trust more in my husband to meet my needs, to provide for me and the boys, or do I trust Christ to meet our needs, provide for us, and hold us together? Christ created marriage, Christ holds marriages together, and Christ blesses marriages that are centered on Him. I should be more committed to my marriage with Christ than I am to Garrett. Because then my commitment to Garrett will be that much stronger. I will be fully satisfied in Christ and from Christ.

When I lose a loved one, do I trust more in a human to comfort me or do I trust in Christ to comfort me? A human can only comfort me temporarily; Christ’s comfort is constant and continual. Christ knows the ache and pain and emptiness best, because He can see it and He knows exactly how to ease it, relieve it, and fill it. No human could ever do it as good as Christ.

What about addiction? Addiction is the lack of trust in Christ and more trust in a substance to meet the need. Wouldn’t you agree with that?

Think about all the times you trusted someone or something only to have that trust broken. Stinks doesn’t it? Yet we still put more trust in those someone’s and something’s more than we put in Christ. It is rather funny that we continue to trust humans yet fear humans, rather than Christ.

Christ is the ruler of heaven and earth. Christ is the creator of life and death. Christ is our defender, warrior, protector, and comforter.  Christ is the one with the final say.  His wrath is greater than any human wrath. Christ is the one who determines our final destination, heaven or hell. Christ is also the one that never leaves us nor forsakes us. He never breaks His promises and no matter what our trust in Him will never be broken.

God very specifically says, “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5

Trusting Christ is something we are to do at ALL times, above ALL things and ALL people. We cannot and should not wait until we hit rock bottom or until a crisis happens to trust in Him. “O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your hear to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8

He has to become the first one we go to. Before any person, any doctor, anything.  

“For the word of the LORD holds true, and everything he does is worthy of our trust. He loves whatever is just and good, and his unfailing love fills the earth.” Psalm 33:4-5


The Bible reveals the importance of trusting in Christ and it is a GREAT place to go if you have trust issues.

Why is it great to trust in the Lord? Because we are blessed for doing so.

"But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8


Jesus I want to be one of those trees!

 Jesus forgive me for not trusting You in every area of my life. Keep me attentive and aware of when I begin to develop trust issues. I want nothing more than to trust in You and You alone. Move me closer to that every second. Remind me every second that human life is fleeting, we are here today and gone tomorrow. Remind me that human knowledge only goes so far, but that Your knowledge is wider, deeper, and greater than what I could ever comprehend. Jesus You are more than worthy of my trust. How crazy I am for thinking any different. Jesus there is great joy that comes to those who trust in You. (Psalm 34:8). Reveal to me every area where my trust in You is lacking. Amen

“Look what happens to mighty warriors who do not trust in God. They trust their wealth instead and grow more and more bold in their wickedness. But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever. I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will wait for your mercies in the presence of your people.” Psalm 52:7-9

What do you get excited about?

The Lord has really hammered me lately on this question. And I know why ,because He wants us to be EXCITED about Him.

I want us to be EXCITED about Him. So I ask, again, what do you get excited about?

Oh, I hope Jesus was your first response. If not maybe His Word can change your answer.

Here are just a few reasons to get excited.

1. "You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ. He forgave all your sins. He canceled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ's cross." Colossians 2:13-14


2. "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38-39


3. "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:8


4. "I will never fail you. I will never forsake you." Hebrews 13:5


5. "My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children." Hebrews 12:5-6


6. "But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.(It is only by God's special favor that you have been saved." Ephesians 2:4-5


Are you starting to get excited, too?

God's Word is full of excitement.

Jesus there is so much to be excited about. In this New Year help us to focus on the excitement You offer. In Jesus name, amen. 

A Range of Emotions…just not the ones you would expect.

“The joyful shouting and weeping mingled together in a loud commotion that could be heard far in the distance.” Ezra 3:13

I know the feeling of anticipation, excitement, being nervous, even frustrated, and all too well.  I get all four of them every Friday night at my husband’s football games and for my brother-in-law who coaches for the Redskins.

 I get those same four feelings during Avery’s t-ball games, soccer games, and now basketball games. I get them when company comes over and I am not sure what mood my sweet baby Dax will be in.

I also get them before I speak, when Garrett speaks, when I teach, and even when I study.

Sometimes I even get them when I write.

I like them. Is that odd? Maybe a little. Normal, I think so.

I know these, put a knot in my stomach feelings so well because I get them when I study the Precious Word of God. That is why I like them.

I love the anticipation of my daily affair with Jesus. I get overly excited to open His Word, I get nervous when He begins to speak, when He calls me to go and do, and when He disciplines me. I even get frustrated when I realize I have failed Him, disappointed Him, and sinned against Him. I get frustrated when  I don’t understand a particular passage, all to find out I didn’t get it because I wouldn’t listen, or because I tried to get it from my own human logic. That, I know, accomplishes nothing.

These feelings, they don’t stop there.

Do you know I anticipate sharing God’s Word with you and others? I get VERY excited when I see and hear others excited about Jesus. I get VERY excited to see others come to Christ, to see walls broken down, lives transformed, marriages restored, sick people healed, and addictions overcome. I get VERY excited to teach God’s Word and be taught. I get VERY excited to see young and old hunger and become passionate about the Lord and His Word.

I get nervous when I see people get caught up in sin, I get nervous when God reminds me that time is running out and people are dying and going to hell.

I get frustrated when people disregard the Word of God, His existence, and the power and importance of His death. I get frustrated when I/we fail to minister to the broken and instead minister to self. I get frustrated when we know our lifestyles are worldly yet we continue to try and straddle both God and the World.

I like these feelings because I believe Jesus experienced them too.

Christ’s anticipation-The Cross

Christ’s excitement-When He is chosen to be Lord of our life and when He gets to bring us home. I think He has many, many, many excitements.

Christ’s nervousness- The time right before His death.

Christ’s frustrations-being ignored, rejected, placed second…

These are just a few of what He and I have discussed. His Word is full of so many more. I hope you will open it up with anticipation and excitement to find out more.

Jesus may we anticipate our meeting with You more. May we become excited about Your Word and who You are. May our nervousness move us to deeper faith and trust, and may our frustrations become teaching tools that help us grow. Amen

Where are You Sweet One?

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” Philippians 3:13

Where is your heart sweet one? Where have you wondered, strayed, or remained?

Is your heart broken, shattered or torn in two? Have you moved closer to the cross or further away?

Where are you sweet one? Have you wondered out to sea and are now trying to figure out how you got there and how you will return to shore?

Where is your mind sweet one? Is it centered on the Word or centered on the World? Where has your mind taken your actions and your words? Has your mind brought you closer to the cross or further away?

Where are you headed sweet one? Are you headed in a new direction? Is it leading you closer to Christ or farther away?

Today you and I sit in a New Year, with a new chance and a new opportunity to heal, to turn around, to make right what we did wrong. We have the opportunity, you and I, to run closer to Christ, closer to the cross.

So where ever you’re going sweet one, may it be in the direction of life, light, hope, healing, peace, and joy, may it be in the direction of Jesus Christ,  the one who gives it all.

Today is here, the past is gone, set your eyes forward sweet one to what lies ahead.

You are not able to go back only forward. Yesterday you were broken but today you are new, new in Christ who made you.

Sweet one where are your eyes? Are they on that which is temporary, or on that which is everlasting?

Are your eyes fixed on the light or surrounded by the dark? Where do you allow your eyes to lead you sweet one?

Today in this New Year, Christ offers His light. Open your eyes and receive it, see it, and don’t ever look away from it. Let it guide you and direct you, for it will lead you to true life, to Christ.

Sweet one in this day, this New Year, find yourself searching for Christ.