5 ways in 7 days

“When I learn your righteous laws, I will thank you by living as I should.” Psalm 119:7

Today I had the most amazing opportunity.

The Lord allowed me to teach my Sunday school class while driving down I-20 to pick up Dax. Technology does have its perks. That was awesome and something I have never done before, nor do I think my college students have either.

The greatest thing that came out of all of this was getting to see just how awesome God is. Not only was He in the car fellowshipping with my family, but He was sitting in our Sunday school room fellowshipping with our sweet babies, who faithfully show up each and every Sunday.

We have been studying Psalm 119, and though they find me absolutely crazy they know I mean business in learning ALL 176 verses!

It can be done and as long as I have breath we will press forward in learning and applying all of them out.

Today we discussed verse 7 and came up with five ways we can live our lives as we should, which in return will show God our thanks.

• By learning His righteous laws-this consists of actually opening up His word every day of which we are going to do over the next 7 days! We understand and realize in order to learn His laws we have to read His laws! (I remind you each one of these babies committed to doing so! And I committed to keeping them accountable-I am big on that!

• Through obedience-when we learn a law each day we are going to follow that law and live out that law. We are not just going to read it and forget it, we are going to meditate on it and memorize it!

• Watching what we say
-holding our tongue is a hard thing, so when they mentioned this one I was very pleased! It is one even I need to pay closer attention to.  This will become easier the more we memorize God’s word. Input God’s word-Output-God’s word. Input trash-output trash!

• Loving the UN-lovable-We all deserve love, want love, and are given love by Christ Himself. Because we want our lives to please Him, we are going to take on that same attitude, remember how we desire love, and do it because we love Jesus.

• Forgiving-We are going to meditate on the fact that Christ forgave us and how thankful we are for that gift. It helps to forgive when we remember how forgiven we are. We want all people to experience Christ and showing forgiveness and love is one of the greatest ways.

We really discussed several more, but 5 is a good place to start and is an easier goal to achieve in 7 days.

If you would like-join us! Who knows maybe it will spread all around the world. How great would that be?

Prayer: Lord we are committed to pleasing You. Help us remain faithful throughout these next 7 days. Give us a hunger for Your word, the desire to be obedient, the help from the Holy Spirit to hold our tongue, love, and forgive. We also ask something really big from You-let this become an addiction to do not just for 7 days or just within our group, but throughout world and from now until You return. We are believing and looking forward to BIG things and BIG changes in the lives of Your  people. Thank You for Your amazing word! Amen

Evaluating what we are searching for

"Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts." Psalm 119:2

We search for a cure, we search for answers, we search for the perfect job, we search for our spouse, we search for the right house, we search for ways to make more money, we search for the best doctors, and we search for the best counselors, church, and even friendships.

Not only do we search for all those things, but we search for ways to meet our needs and our wants and we go to any extent to do so, thus putting our whole heart into it.

The problem with putting our whole heart into those things is that they will never fulfill us and their temporary satisfaction is just that, temporary.

Through this phase in my life I have begun to realize some very valuable lessons when searching for the Lord and obeying His laws.

1.  I can read and study God’s word 24/7, but if I don’t listen it defeats the purpose.
2. I can search for the Lord, but if I am only putting half my heart into it than I am not giving Him or myself the very best we both deserve.
3. I can search and study God’s word, but if I don’t apply it I am not going to make a difference in my life or in others.
4. I can say I am a believer,  I can go to church, I can even be a good person morally, but if I am picking and choosing parts of His word to obey, or doing any of it for my own glory, than I am placing myself above Him.

My goal of doing the S.S.A.L.S (Study, Store, Apply, Learn, and Share) was and is to learn more about our amazing Creator and walk away after one year having stored more of His word in my heart. And through these last 36 weeks today I have learned that I must search and put all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength into. For then I can expect great change in my life, my family’s life, and all those around me. Plus walk away happy!

Prayer: Jesus I need You more than I need the ability to breathe. Amen

Walk it then Talk it

"Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your principals." Psalm 119:5


If we didn't say one word, would people be able to see Jesus in us through our actions? If not, then our words are just as useless!

Prayer: Jesus Your actions from the time you were arrested until the time You rose again made the biggest impact and defined the importance of why we should walk the walk if we are going to talk the talk. Help me follow Your example and walk it before I talk it! Amen

Act Consistently

“Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your principals.” Psalm 119:5

Has God ever just hit you so hard with something that you know He wants you to change? Well it seems He does that quite often with me. Maybe because I still have so much growing to do and He has so much refining to do, but whatever the case I am thankful He is working in me.

I know right now He is hitting me with our passage for this week, especially in the area of actions. As I sit in His word the refining begins. All that is displeasing is being revealed.

One by one He lays them out and then through His word He helps me work them out. I confess and He forgives a process that never ends. And now my actions are what will reveal if my repentance is true and real.

Prayer: Lord the only way to true spiritual change is through consistency in our actions. It is our actions that point others to You, it is our actions that reflect our time spent with You, it is our actions that speak. Lord create in me actions that are pure, peace loving, and gentle, actions that show no partiality, are willing to yield to others and actions that are sincere. Make them become so consistent within me they begin to be a natural action and reaction. Amen

Breath T-A-K-I-N-G

“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.” James 5:16

There have only been 5 things in my life that have truly taken my breath away.

1. The moment Christ entered my heart and saved my soul.
2. The moment I knew my extra rib came from Garrett.
3. The moment the nurse placed God’s beautifully wrapped gift in my arms, Avery
4. The moment the nurse placed God’s second beautifully wrapped gift in my arms, Dax
5. And last night…

Avery (my 4yr old): Screaming from the bath tub: M-O-M-M-Y

Mommy: (who only stepped out of the room for a second) Running into the bathroom. What?

Avery: Mommy come watch me get baptized. (Avery now dunking himself in the water)

Mommy: Avery what does it mean to get baptized?

Avery: When you go in the water.

Mommy: Avery did you ask Jesus to live in your heart?

Avery (eyes closed): Dear Jesus come let me get baptized. Come live in my heart and I will do what you say.

Mommy: NOT BREATHING! CRYING because he did it all on his own.

Avery: Daxie say this, Jesus I will do what you say. (Yelling)  SAY IT DAXIE

Dax: Jesus I do what u say.

Avery: Now lean back Dax and let me baptize you!”

Mommy: SCREAMING G-A-R-R-E-T-T

Dear Jesus,

I know as a mommy there is nothing greater to take my breath than that moment. I also know there is nothing greater to the Creator of the Universe than for one of His own to come to know Him, even at age 4. Thank You for that moment, it is imbedded within me!

Jesus Avery and Dax are yours and I believe that when we seek You with all our hearts we do indeed find You. I also believe in the power of Your name and that You have filled these two amazing boys with wisdom beyond their years. Continue to do so Lord.

Jesus fill their minds with understanding of Your word, fill their souls with a hunger to know You more. May they become a utensil You can use for Your glory. Use them Lord God, use them in a mighty way.

Jesus I pray not just for my own two, but for all the boys and girls around the world. Lord I pray these babies will grow up being men and women of God who are filled with integrity, obedience, and love for You. I pray they will be bold and not compromise with evil but will walk only in Your paths.

May we as parents constantly reflect Your principles and teach our children to do the same. May we mediate on Your word together as a family. Lord help us to place You in the center of our homes and not allow the world or self to be the center. Lord would You fill homes all over the world, fill orphanages, and shelters all over the world with Your word, Your holiness, and cover each door frame with Your blood?

Jesus I pray for each and every child that has existed, exists, and will exist. I pray they will rise above the selfishness, pride, the abuse, the abandonment, and the faithlessness, and be filled with selflessness, humbleness, love, significance, and faith. May they grow to fear You, respect You and to live according to Your will.

Lord I believe You are able to do more than we could ask or hope for, and I believe You are able to go farther than that. So do that Lord, do way beyond. And thank You for one of the most amazing breath taking moments thus far. Amen

Praying into the New Year

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God’s mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, for he wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.”  1 Timothy 2:1-6

Jesus,

 Your name alone brings so much peace to my soul, spirit, and heart. There has not been a time when I have mentioned Your name that You have not shown up. Thank You! Thank You for Your unfailing love and faithfulness.

Jesus every year we gather around the world to celebrate the coming of a New Year and the ending of the past year. My deepest prayer and desire is that as we gather together this year we will sense Your presence, no matter where we are in our faith, or what faith we have, Jesus just make Your name known.

Jesus I pray this celebration would be a celebration of our new beginning in You the One True God, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  Jesus I ask that You do something even greater than what we could ever expect. Let there not just be one but MILLIONS that will come to know You.

I know many are going to center around drinking and so on, and with that I ask for it to be different this time. Right now Lord would You work in the hearts of all people giving them a sense of desire, hunger, and longing for You and not the world.

Use Your children Jesus to live in such a manner it leaves others longing for You, intrigued by You, and wanting to know more about You.  Jesus again do something so spectacular today it leaves all of us in awe of You.

Please Abba Father soften hearts, transform minds and rise up within Your children stronger than ever before. O’ Lord I pray that today all eyes will be placed on You when the clock strikes midnight and not on a big ball.  May all believers pray their way into the New Year!

Jesus I love You, I love You and I praise You for the indescribable joy that fills my soul. I pray that others would also receive that same joy You so freely give out.

Lord today and this New Year I am expecting great things to come from You. I am expecting lives to be changed for Your glory and souls to be saved for eternity. Amen

Moving past the “me”

 "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God’s mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, for he wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.”  1 Timothy 2:1-6

The sweetest and most genuine prayer from a precious college student striving to be Christ-like, Christ focused, and centered on Christ in his everyday life.  Weldon Davis

Dear Jesus,

Forgive me of my sins and where I have failed You so many times before. Thank You for not turning from me, and for maintaining a steadfast hope in my life’s plan. Today I pray for the millions of peers I am surrounded by who are focused on earning a higher education from the many institutions in this world.

I pray for each person’s soul and that they first and foremost seek You as their Savior. I also pray for their outlook on life. All too often we seek what benefits our own life and are too self-absorbed to consider the thoughts, emotions, and burdens of those people surrounding us.

In order to move forward in Your will I realize I must take myself out of the equation and fill it with nothing more than Your abundant love. Please be with the countless nations and college campuses. Allow them to seek a true spirituality in You Jesus.

Thank You so much for Your unfailing love, in Your name I pray. Amen

“Self-absorbance-Too many people in college focus on themselves and bettering their lives rather than spending time to put interest into other people.”

Weldon is one of many college students Garrett and I have adopted as our own. He is an amazing young man who strives every day to be more and more like Christ. Not only does he strive to be Christ like but he strives to reflect Christ on campus, on the baseball field, in church, and in his community.

I couldn’t think of anything sweeter than to hear the heart of a college student and what they wanted to see change spiritually. God is able!

Moving past the “me” goes way beyond just a college campus. It extends to each and every one of us.

Do you focus more on “you”  than others? I pray we too will realize that we must remove the “me” from the equation and fill it with Christ’s love and serving others.

The anticipation of change…spiritual change

"I urge you, first of all to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God’s mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity.  This is good and pleases God our Savior, for he wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.” 1 Timothy 2:1-6

When was the last time you prayed and anticipated a spiritual change in your life?  You know the break out revival type change? Better yet the type of spiritual change that leaves you so moved, so broken, so joyful, and yet ever so new.

I long for such spiritual change every single day. I always want more of Christ within me, I want to be more like Christ with each new second, minute, hour, and day. And I want that for you and every other man and woman created in the image of God.

As a matter of fact I cannot think of a better New Year’s Resolution than to pray for spiritual change to take place within the world.

I have always been a believer in prayer and have even seen the power of prayer in mighty ways. I believe in the One True God and His ability, power, and Holiness to change the heart and lives of people. Do You?

If so would you join me this New Year as we devote each day to praying for Spiritual change in this world? Christ is coming, He will be here before any of us know it, and upon His arrival there will not be time to turn back, to make it right, or even get a second chance. Our time is now, our chance is now, so let’s join together and pray. Let’s reach out and share the Good News with boldness and confidence. Making sure there is ONE LESS person spending eternity in Hell each and every day.

Prayer: Lord move our hearts to a state of urgency and brokenness over the spiritual state of this world and all those who are lost. Bring us to the lowest place we can be, on our faces, as we cry out for You to change the condition of this world. Lord change our hearts first for then when we come before You there will be nothing hindering us.

Lord I ask You to move in the lives of all my brothers and sisters. Move them to the place today where they feel Your call upon them to pray and to share the name of Jesus. Lord I ask boldly in Your name to join together a group of brothers and sisters who will devote themselves to You and to each other to pray every day for all who are lost in this world. Lord develop within us an outbreak of prayer that spreads like wildfire all through out Your land. Amen

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Silence of the Lamb

"He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer. Meanwhile, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law stood there shouting their accusations. Now Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus." Luke 23: 9-11


 Their Christ stood blooded, beaten and chained, silent before His accusers, never uttering a word as they criticized Him, laughed at Him and chanted “Crucify Him.”  And though He was silent His love was not.

I wonder today how many times we have stood silent before those who have accused us, criticized us, and spoken words of hurt against us and yet let Christ’s love in us speak out.

Christ stood in silence because He understood it all, thus going through it all! Just so you and I could have it all!

My prayer for you and me is that we will get to the place where Christ was. The place where we can stand in silence before those who accuse us and allow our hearts to be full of love for them; despite their accusations, their hurtful words, and their mocking and just love them, love them because Christ first loved us. I pray His love will speak louder than any word, just as His did.

Prayer: Oh, Jesus I praise You for the loudness of Your love. It is displayed each and every day through Your word, Your creation, and even in the silence. May I display Your love every day through the silence of my actions. Amen

Here and gone in the blink of an eye

"...Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice and honor him." Revelation 19:6 

I stopped and took one last look at all the beautiful decorations that filled our house. (Thanks to my mom) and a wave of sadness came over me. Christmas has already come and gone, all in the blink of an eye. The presents have been opened, the story of Jesus has been told, discussed, and celebrated, and now…the decorations and lights have come down. It’s over…or is it?

Only the temporary, the presents, the lights, the decorations, even the Christmas music. But one thing remains, the life of Jesus. His birth was just the beginning…the beginning of great things to come.

As I pondered on that wonderful thought the sadness lifted and joy filled my heart. The Prince of Peace, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Son of the Most High God is alive. And He lives within you and me!

Celebrating Christ is 24/7, 365 days a year!

Does yours end when Christmas ends, or does your celebration continue on?

Prayer: My precious Lord and Savior, my heart swells with joy and love as I think of Your greatness. I am so thankful for the life You lived here on earth. From Your birth to Your death and now seated on the throne, You Abba Father rein. Amen  

Spread the word…

I hope this week has been one of many victories for you and that you have been able to conquer some strongholds, fears and have overcome any doubts you might have had in the Lord. If you feel led to share I would love to hear of your victories, whether they happened this week or years prior. It is always wonderful to hear of God’s amazing work in the lives of others.

Okay I am so excited about this upcoming month for Godly Gossip. Starting tomorrow we will be blessed by some special guests so I hope you will check out the blog to read the stories of these amazing people.

And don’t forget to spread the word!

Prayer: Lord I cannot praise You or thank You enough for Your word. I pray it will continue to spread from person to person. Thank You for allowing me the opportunity to share my love for You with others. May You receive the utmost honor and glory forever and ever. Be with all those who read the words spoken by our guests this next month. May there be lives changed, hearts softened, and souls saved. Amen

The Promise Land awaits You.

“We can certainly conquer it.” Numbers 13:30

For the last three years the Lord has blessed Garrett and I with the opportunity to teach the college Sunday school class at out church. And I have fallen in love with theses precious babies. I love them, I love them! 

They each have impacted my life in more ways than they will ever know. They teach me something new every Sunday.

I love their zest and willingness to grow and become more Christ-like every day. Their perspective on God’s word opens my eyes to just how incredible the Lord is. He teaches and speaks to each of us so differently and I love that. I am thankful that He does it that way.

He shows us this very thing in our study of Scripture this week. Out of the twelve men who went to scout, only two were willing to speak up and share their perspective, heart, and thoughts. I giggle at this thought because my college babies started out the same way, not talking! But now…now laughter and nonstop conversation fills every square inch of our room. I LOVE IT!

They are willing to express their thoughts, their opinions, their hearts, their questions and concerns freely without fear. They debate, they listen, and they teach.

They are beginning to do the very things Caleb and Joshua did. They are growing more confident in Christ and their willingness to speak up for Christ. Which is my prayer and one of my deepest desires for them. I believe that is God’s desire for us, to share the name of Jesus with everyone no matter who agrees, listens or believes. That is what makes this story of the Israelites so superb. It shows us the benefits and reward of speaking up and believing, through the faith of Caleb and Joshua. Because they believed in the power of God and remembered all that God had done for them thus far, they would be the only two that would enter the land God swore to them. (Numbers 14:29-30) The rest of that generation would die in the wilderness.

With that, this brings up my last point. Not only did the Israelites pay for their lack of faith and complaining by having to wonder the wilderness but so did their children.

“But as for you, your dead bodies will fall in this wilderness. And your children will be like shepherds, wandering in the wilderness forty years. In this way, they will pay for your faithlessness, until the last of you lies dead in the wilderness.” Number 14: 32-33

As I look at my college babies even my own babies I pray they will become men and women who are so faithful! I pray they will grow in boldness, wisdom and knowledge of Christ, His power and deliverance. I hope they find the promise land soon and do not have to wonder in the wilderness because of the faithlessness and complaining of their family.

I hope they know that is what makes Jesus so special. It is through a relationship with Him that they are able to receive the inheritance. They can make the decision for themselves and so can you.

Turn to Christ today and let Him lead you to the promise land.

Prayer: Lord bless every college student on every campus all across the world. Lord begin a radical change within them, filling them with more faith than ever before. Lord I pray for those who have grown up or are living in a home where You have and are absent. Lord do what You do and reveal Yourself to them, changing their life and the life of their entire family. Lord may they walk in the confidence of You and may they believe no matter how impossible it seems, You are able to conquer it. Amen

A New Perspective

“We can certainly conquer it.” Numbers 13:30

As many of you know my husband is a football coach along with his younger brother Ryan who coaches for Longview, and his older brother Chris who coaches for the Oakland Raiders.

Well having married into a football family you learn a lot, sometimes very quickly and sometimes not so quickly. For me it has taken a good six years of learning, of adjusting, of understanding and of even appreciating what these three men do.

For a long time especially on my bad days I would find coaching to be a pretty selfish job, and I feel as though I have the right to say that being I was a coach for six years. And the time I spent coaching left little room for anything or anyone. This was the very reason I got out of coaching when I met Garrett.

I knew if we were going to begin a family and put into that family what we both wanted, we could not do it if we were both coaching. And well I really was not that crazy about coaching, but that is a whole other story.

Anyway, I do have a point to all of this! Sometimes our perspective on things needs to be changed. For instance, I have often wondered why Garrett puts in so many hours that he does (I mean we all know these guys don’t get paid overtime). I have even wondered and have asked on occasions if those kids he is coaching even realize and appreciate how much he puts into them. I wonder if it ever crosses their minds that he is a daddy who has two boys of his own at home. I even wonder if those fans yelling the things they do ever stop to think about the time he puts into his job.

Let’s just say for a long time I had a negative perspective and I admit I still do at times but…

The more God changes me the more and more I begin to understand. Today I understand that Garrett chooses to do what he does and I can either accept that or not.  I can sit and think about all the hours he is away from home and let it make me angry-which it has and does at times. Or I can look at it from a positive stand point just as Caleb did that day he returned from scouting the land of Canaan for 40 days.

“The land we explored is a wonderful land! And if the Lord is please with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey, and he will give it to us! Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” Numbers 14:7-9

I have had to be willing to allow God to minister to me and to change me. I have also had to learn a lot of things the hard way because of my negative perspective on my husband’s job. It has not been easy, there are days that are a lot harder than others, but for the most part I am beginning to look at his job from a new perspective. One that is positive, God pleasing, and was ordained by God Himself.

I have only been able to do this because of my faith in Christ and because of His call on Garrett’s life to lead young men and coaches to a deeper relationship with Christ. When I fix my thoughts on Garrett’s goal as a coach which is to be the hands and feet of Christ, a daddy to the daddy-less, and a Christ-like leader, my perspective of his job changes tremendously this in return allows me to conquer the negative perspective and turn it into a God-like perspective.

I don’t know what life is like for you right now but I do know if your perspective on it is that of the ten complainers, maybe you too need a perspective change, one that will place you in agreement with Caleb-believing in God and His power to conquer anything and everything.

Prayer: Lord help me to keep my perspective on that which is positive, pure, holy, and true. Amen

Victory in Jesus

“We can certainly conquer it.” Numbers 13:30

Do you have some things in your life that need to be conquered?

Addiction	Self	Illness
Anger	Jealousy	Bitterness
Obesity	Laziness	Negativity
Debt	Fear	Doubt
Pride	Workaholic	Sexual Immorality
Obsession with money	Broken Marriage	Satan’s Stronghold

                     

Whatever it is-YOU AND I CAN CERTAINLY CONQUER IT!

How? Through Jesus, His grace,  the work of the Holy Spirit, meditation on His word, a positive outlook, perseverance, willingness, and endurance to go the distance.

In other words Brethren our victory is in Jesus, from Jesus and for Jesus.

So are you willing to conquer it for the sake of Christ Jesus?

He sure was willing to conquer death for you and me!

Prayer: Jesus thank You for going the distance so I might have life everlasting. It is because of Your willingness, love, mercy and grace that I am able to overcome sin. It is through Your shed blood that has set me free from the bondage. Praise You Jesus-thank You I am forever grateful. Help me to keep persevering and fighting the fight, always keeping my eyes on You and the victory that awaits me. Amen

Praying beyond Victory

"We can certainly conquer it.” Numbers 13:30

Well Brethren today the battle begins and as Avery, Dax, and I suit up in our warmest armor (and I mean our warmest 30 degree weather armor) and head out to help lift the arms of daddy I must say I am a little nervous. Though we have been suiting up for battles every Friday this particular game seems different.

Of course different in the fact that if we lose we are done, but different in the fact that I want something so astounding to come from this battle just as it did for the Israelites when they defeated the Amalekites and then again when the walls of Jericho came crashing down.

And I am not talking about the victory. Yes the victory was AMAZING and is amazing, but beyond victory, beyond winning came something even greater for them and I hope for us. It was what they learned, what they experienced, and how they saw God in the midst of the battle that was the greatest. And that is the different I want for this battle. I want it to go way past a win, even a loss and straight to the heart.

I pray this battle tonight whether through a conversation, an action, or just God being His amazing self and showing up through something as ordinary as a cheer, a toss of the football, or the crisp fall breeze will leave a lasting impression on the life of someone in such a way they will come to know Jesus our Precious Lord and Savior in a more personal and intimate way.

So if it be one fan, one player, one coach, or everyone in attendance, I pray for something so different, so astonishing to come over them that they leave changed, changed for the better, changed victoriously, changed new, and changed beyond the win or loss of a football game. Changed for Jesus Christ!

Really in all honesty I pray it makes such an impact that the eyes of every person in attendance will look to Christ.

Prayer: Jesus do something remarkable tonight in the life of one of the thousands of people who too have suited up for the battle. Jesus maybe You will go even beyond remarkable and come riding down on the clouds to take us to be with You for eternity. O’ Jesus would You do something tonight that only You can. Something that will place the eyes of all people on You. Whatever You do Lord, I know it is going to be wonderful and whether I get to be a part of it or not, I believe a life will be changed for Your glory and for that Lord I praise You. It is not about the 99 it is about the one that is lost, broken, and wandering searching for the one thing that can only be found in You. Amen

The Sincere heart

“We can certainly conquer it.” Numbers 13:30

There is no greater expression of love and thankfulness than the one that comes from a sincere heart. So as you gather around the table with family and friends reflect upon the scars of our Savior and let that bring your heart to a place of humbleness, thankfulness and praise.

Remember how gracious, loving, and merciful the Lord has been. Let the words of David resonate in your heart as you reflect upon God’s goodness. May these words bring healing to the hearts of those who gather with one less loved one. May these words bring hope to the hopeless, encouragement to the discouraged, comfort to the broken, strength to the weak and weary and pure joy to all of us as we reflect on the faithfulness of the one and only Jesus.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
            His love endures forever.
² Give thanks to the God of gods.
            His love endures forever.
³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
            His love endures forever.

 ⁴ to him who alone does great wonders,
            His love endures forever.
⁵ who by his understanding made the heavens,
            His love endures forever.
⁶ who spread out the earth upon the waters,
            His love endures forever.
⁷ who made the great lights—
            His love endures forever.
⁸ the sun to govern the day,
            His love endures forever.
⁹ the moon and stars to govern the night;
            His love endures forever.

 ¹⁰ to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
            His love endures forever.
¹¹ and brought Israel out from among them
            His love endures forever.
¹² with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
            His love endures forever.

 ¹³ to him who divided the Red Sea^[a] asunder
            His love endures forever.
¹⁴ and brought Israel through the midst of it,
            His love endures forever.
¹⁵ but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
            His love endures forever.

 ¹⁶ to him who led his people through the wilderness;
            His love endures forever.

 ¹⁷ to him who struck down great kings,
            His love endures forever.
¹⁸ and killed mighty kings—
            His love endures forever.
¹⁹ Sihon king of the Amorites
            His love endures forever.
²⁰ and Og king of Bashan—
            His love endures forever.
²¹ and gave their land as an inheritance,
            His love endures forever.
²² an inheritance to his servant Israel.
            His love endures forever.

 ²³ He remembered us in our low estate
            His love endures forever.
²⁴ and freed us from our enemies.
            His love endures forever.
²⁵ He gives food to every creature.
            His love endures forever.

 ²⁶ Give thanks to the God of heaven.
            His love endures forever.

Prayer: Lord as we gather around the table, may we feast not on the food before us, but on Your every word. May we celebrate our freedom, our salvation, and You. Thank You Jesus for Your mercy, grace, and precious blood that covers us daily. Amen

The Scouting Report

"We can certainly conqueror it.” Numbers 13:30

Yesterday I mentioned to you that the team we are facing up against is going to be a very tough team. One of the tougher teams we have faced all year, which makes me nervous, especially since I have the awesome opportunity of holding my husband’s arms up and watching from the top of the hill (the stands) the battle as it is played. Even though I have faith in my husband and the kids, I still precede to ask my husband EVERY single day, “So sugar, what do you think? Are your kiddos ready? Are you ready? Are we going to be able to stop them?”  And he always says the same thing. “Yes we are ready, I will be ready, they are good, but we are better.”

Let’s just say his scouting report is like Caleb and my scouting report, well…it tends to be like the other ten.

After 40 days of scouting the land of Canaan the 12 men return with their scouting report.

“We arrived in the land you sent us to see, and it is indeed a magnificent country-a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is some of its fruit as proof. But the people living there are powerful, and their cities and towns are fortified and very large. We also saw the descendants of Anak who are living there! The Amalekites live in the Negev, and the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country. The Canaanites live along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and along the Jordan Valley. But Caleb tried to encourage the people as they stood before Moses, ‘Let’s go at once to take the land,’ he said. ‘We can certainly conquer it!’ But the other men who had explored the land with him answered, ‘We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are! So they spread discouraging reports about the land among the Israelites: ‘The land we explored will swallow up any who go to live there. All the people we saw were huge. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. We felt like grasshoppers next to them, and that’s what we looked like to them!” Numbers 13:27-33

Sometimes we have a tendency to let our fears, lack of faith, and our negative attitude spill out onto others when it comes to our problems, trials, and or upcoming battles. And though we might be just stating the facts of what we see, hear, or are up against, we are still to have the attitude of Caleb. “We can certainly conqueror it!” That would be the attitude of Garrett-he sees what his kids are going to be up against, and he believes in them, in God, and in the game plan he and the other coaches have come up with.

Garrett is not only that way in football, but he is that way about everything in life. When our boys are sick, when I am sick, when he is sick, if we are facing a difficult situation, in an argument, or facing a big decision for our family-Garrett’s mentality-“We can certainly conqueror it!”

Me on the other admitting to you right now-am often like the ten men who allowed their fear, lack of faith, and just negative mind spill out. I have to admit to you and am only able to do so because I want the Lord to receive all the glory, have been that way for so long –negative, fearful, and have lacked true faith that my God is all-powerful and capable of doing anything. Let’s just say my mentality has not been that of Caleb or Garrett’s –We can certainly conqueror it.

The Lord in His greatness has been opening my eyes to this area for some time now and has really shown me that this has been displeasing to Him. He has also been pulling this root up which HURTS, is embarrassing, shameful, but extremely humbling and freeing.

My part in all of this is letting go of the fear and negativity and just obeying and believing, which I have been failing at miserably lately.

The Holy Spirit has been going back where the roots have been pulled and has been placing thankfulness, positivity, and the mindset that everything about Jesus is positive and no matter what “We certainly can conqueror it!”

Prayer: Father You are ever so faithful to reveal areas in our lives that are displeasing to You and I am so thankful that You love me enough to continue to work in my life making me become Christ-like than the day before. Lord as painful as it is, as much pride as I have had to swallow, as mad as I get I ask that You continue to search me and know my heart, test me and know my thoughts I ask that You point out anything in me that is displeasing to You and that You will lead me along the path of everlasting life. Lord because of You I am certainly able to conqueror this. Amen

The Scouting

“We can certainly conqueror it!” Numbers 13:30

We are about to face up against a team that is very athletic, quick, skilled, and well-coached. According to my husband who has spent countless hours watching film, breaking down film, and coming up with a defensive game plan, has made several comments about this team being one of the best teams he has seen since being at Carthage. He has come to that conclusion because he has done the scouting.

Just this week my husband has over 8 tapes on their opponent Dallas Madison. Now eight might not seem like a lot, but when each tape is broken down according to the preference of Garrett 8 seems to turn into 40. (You will get that in a minute) And according to the coaches that break it down it is like reading the entire Bible in ONE day. L OOOONNNNGGGG! I have said before he literally looks at what foot they step with, which direction their shoulders are turned, and what they do on every single down, 3^rd and short, 3^rd and medium, and 3^rd in long. The list and details go on and on, and though he might be very particular, detailed, and look at everything with a fine tooth comb, He has also been EXTREMLEY successful and his athletes have been prepared, warned, and has had it driven into them during practice and film.

 I always tell him if people studied the word of God like he does film, this world would be full of people madly in love with Christ. Wouldn’t it be awesome if God’s word was the film, and practice was applying His word? It would be SO awesome!

Anyway, let’s look at a group of men who were sent out to do a little scouting of their own. There were a total of 12 men. They were each tribal leaders. They were being sent to explore the land of Canaan, the land that God would be giving them. As they were heading out Moses gave them instruction on what he wanted to be scouted, and he too was very specific and detailed in what he was looking for and wanted the scouting report to contain when they returned.

“Go northward through the Negev into the hill country. See what the land is like and find out whether the people living there are strong or weak, few or many. What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? Do their towns have walls or are they unprotected? How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there many trees? Enter the land boldly, and bring back samples of the crops you see.” (It happened to be the season of harvesting the first ripe grapes.)

It would take 40 days of scouting in order to obtain all the information Moses wanted and needed.

So what is my point to all of this? Just like these 12 men and my husband if they did not scout out their opponents they would be entering into the battle unprepared, lacking the appropriate armor and would not have any knowledge of the ability their opponents had or what type of schemes or plays they did, therefore being defeated. 

And so will we if we do not do our own scouting individually and as the body of Christ. We need to become specific and detailed in reading and studying the word of God. So we can be equipped with the right armor, full of knowledge and wisdom and have a better understanding of the schemes of the enemy.

Prayer: Lord there is a reason You gave us Your very word to read, study, know, and live out. May we spend more time scouting out the 66 books so we can be prepared for the battle that lies ahead. Amen

Where it all began

“As long as Moses held up the staff with his hands, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites gained the upper hand.” Exodus 17:11

The Amalekites were the descendants of Amalek. Amalek was the grandson of Esau. Esau was the son of Isaac and Rebekah and Jacob’s twin brother. Esau was the first twin to enter the world therefore receiving the birthright. A birthright was given to the firstborn son and involved the family’s inheritance and the opportunity to become the next leader.

Well Esau having the mentality of “I want it right now” gave up his birthright to his brother Jacob for a bowl of red stew, thus turning over his family’s inheritance and position as the next leader to Jacob.

You can see by reading Genesis 25:31-34 that Esau never took into account the big picture and the costs of giving up his birthright. He also never took into account the effects it would have on his own family from generation to generation.

“Jacob replied, ‘All right, but trade me your birthright for it.’ ‘Look, I’m dying of starvation!’ Said Esau. ‘What good is my birthright to me now?” So Jacob insisted, ‘Well then, swear to me right now that it is mine.’ So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his younger brother. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate and drank and went on about his business, indifferent to the fact that he had given up his birthright.”

Now let’s fast forward to Esau’s grandson Amalek. Amalek and his descendants would also become a “right now” generation that would thrive off of attacking other settlements in order to steal and even kill for the immediate pleasure of having what they wanted. This being the reason they would attack the Israelites.

Only this go around the Amalekites would soon realize they were messing with the wrong group. They were attacking a group led by God Himself. They would also come to see the wrath of God later on in 1 Samuel 15:2-3 when God would order Saul to wipe them clean for attacking the Israelites as they were coming out of Egypt.

Now let’s fast forward even farther and look at ourselves. Why are we where we are today, and why do we do what we do and believe what we believe. Where did all begin for each of us? Did we break the mold of generational Godlessness? Did we break the mold of addiction? Or have we too formed to the mold and are continuing to pass it down from generation to generation?

Take a little bit to examine the generations before you (your family) and then ask God to help you break the mold and begin to pass down Godly Christ-like living.

Prayer: God I am in love with You and Your word-I am actually a little obsessed with You. Thank You for filling me with such a desire to know You, may I pass my obsession down to my boys so they can pass it down to theirs. Amen

Beyond the War

“As long as Moses held up the staff with his hands, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites gained the upper hand. Moses’ arms finally became too tired to hold up the staff and y longer. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side, holding up his hands until sunset.” Exodus 17:11-12

This story has become so personal to me on so many levels.

1. It has opened my eyes to see beyond the exterior of someone.
2. It has opened my heart to those who have been fighting battles alone for so long they are now weak, tired, and worn. All while their hearts are crying out and desperately seeking to be heard and seen.
1. It has moved me to step outside of myself, comfort, and fears and offer them a stone to sit upon, no matter what battle they are fighting. Letting them know they matter and can be victorious.
2. I want to share Jesus with them so they can be rescued, encouraged and saved.
3. It has made me realize that there are people who want to be better for Christ and are willing, they just need to be shown through love and Christ-like actions.
4. I desire companionship with those who desire to be like Christ in every area of life.
5. It has placed my eyes upon Christ and the power, victory, and love He holds, thus reassuring me that I have the advantage as His child.
6. And finally I am thankful for those whom Christ has placed in my life that have held up their arms for me, who have held up my arms and have went with me into battle.

Prayer: Lord I praise Your word. Yes! Lord I praise Your word. Thank You for Your spoken word and for the impact it makes in my life daily. Amen