Autumn's Blog

Difficulty

2012-02-14T19:05:22Z

I think of my discouragements...

and then I remember Joseph in prison.

I think of my haters...

and then I remember Noah building his ark.

I think of my insignificance...

and then I remember David as a shepherd.

I think of my obstacles...

and then I remember Moses and Pharaoh.

I think of my rejection..

and then I remember Daniel sitting in the Lions den.

I think of my sacrifice...

and then I remember Abraham and Isaac.

I think of my hardships...

and then I remember Paul and Silas in prison.

I think of my scars...

then I remember Jesus on the cross.

I think of my impossibility...

then I remember the Jesus overcoming death.

I think of my despair...

then I remember my Savior coming as a baby.

I think of my difficulty, and realize with God by my side, there is none.

IS GOD ALWAYS REALLY WITH US.

2012-02-07T17:05:24Z

I will give you this, the thought that God is always with us, it a hard one to grasp. I know that Christians struggle with the concept of God actually always being with them. We seem to be very aware of when we think God is not with us, and yet even when we think He has forsaken us, He has not.

I flew back home late Saturday night after speaking at a teen girl event in California. I got in late, and was extremely tired from the events of the weekend. My kids came in my room early Sunday morning, and showered me with their amazing huggies, and sissy’s (our words for hugs and kisses). Heading into the kitchen, I heard a loud crash. Immediately, I am wide awake and run into the living room. On my way there, my son meets me in the hallway and is covered in blood. He is screaming, and petrified of the events that so quickly took place. I survey his body, freaking out because of the amount of blood that is all over him, and then I see the source. A very large and deep gash in his forehead. In seconds, I am dressed, he is dressed and we are heading to the emergency room. My neighbor is a nurse, and came over to check him before we went. Being awesome, and sensing my desperation, she agrees to drive ahead of me to the ER. When we get there, they don’t even give me time to do the paperwork. Because of the size of Jude’s wound they immediately take him to the back.

When my husband arrives, he calms the situation with his incredibly steadfast spirit. We sit, and wait. I knew that stitches would be imminent, and was dreading the procedure.

My son is three, he is love. He is loved by all he meets. He has a way about him that can only be described as joy. From the moment he was born our family was complete. He had added such a sense of wonder and amazement to the Miles crew. Jude’s hugs are priceless, when the words, “I love you, mom,” come from his lips I feel my heart melt. God blessed my with the privilege of being Jude’s mom. No one else can calm him like I can. No one else understands him like I do. He is my beloved son.

Eddie and I sat as the doctors and nurses did a very thorough job of numbing the area and prepping it. We waited as the solution blanched the area so Jude would feel no pain. I could feel my heart in my chest began to beat rapidly knowing that in the 45 minute waiting period they would come in to stitch. We waited....and waited.

A man my the name of Adam entered the room with the supplies needed. He explained exactly what he was going to do, and what to expect. We listened....silently.

Jude was asked to lie down on the table. They draped his 38lb body with a sheet of sorts that covered his face, and began. The sheet had a hole in the top so they could be precise with the instruments. Because Jude’s injury was above his eye, he could see what they were doing.

Eddie and I sat, both with our hands on our son. Jude’s little cries were almost to much to bare. Eddie told me to leave the room several times, but the thought of leaving my son was NEVER going to happen. His little body tightened as they would begin a new stitch. He would scream when he saw the scissors. All the while, Eddie and I would remind him that we were there, and we were not going to leave him.

At one point in the procedure, the only prayer I could muster up was the name of Jesus. I found myself repeating the name, Jesus, over and over. God knew that I couldn’t say anything else. He knew, in that moment I needed Jesus.

The procedure came to an end, and Jude was the proud owner of a double stitched wound. He has 8 internal stitches and 12 external stitches. When it was over, he grabbed for me in desperation, and squeezed as hard as a little boy could, all I could say was that, it’s over, it’s over.

This idea of God being with us has been on my mind for weeks.... God has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us. I think of Christians today that are walking through their Christian life, and wondering if God has in fact forsaken them in their time of crisis. People have asked me, “How do you know for sure that God is with us?” My answer is always, because the Bible says He is and I have seen Him work. This doesn’t always appease the question, and others often branch from my answer.

The fact of the matter is, God is very clear in His word that He is with us ALWAYS. If you are a Christian today you have the advantage of having the Holy Spirits presence in your life at all times. The problem is, we cannot comprehend that concept, and don’t take advantage of the Power. I see Christians struggling with sin and heavy trials, and not taking advantage of God’s presence. Think to yourself now, if God loves me like I know He does would He leave me when I needed Him the most....The answer is NEVER.

During Jude’s procedure, there was no way I was going to leave. It was one of the most scary things that he has gone through to date. I sat holding his hand, and talking as much comfort as I could to him. He was still scared, but at he was never alone.

I know that through trials and difficult times, Satan tells believers that God is not there, and that God doesn’t care about whatever they are going through. The sad thing is that we take the bait. Truth says that God is with you in everything. He shares the horrible times, and the amazing times in your life. You cannot shake His presence if you want to.

Hebrews 13:5

5 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”

In any situation, it is against His word to leave you. The thought of abandoning you has NEVER crossed His mind. You are His, and in crisis, He is there and available for your comfort. He loves you with a love you couldn’t comprehend if you tried. Use His presence in your life today. He longs for your heart and devotion. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HIS PRESENCE. HE IS NOT A COSMIC FIGURE THAT IS INDIFFERENT TO YOUR SITUATION.

IF YOU HAVE ACCEPTED HIM, HE IS YOUR FATHER.

He is there. Always.

Matthew 28:20

teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Isaiah 41:10

‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Isaiah 43:5

“Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, And gather you from the west.

Jeremiah 1:19

They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 30:11

‘For I am with you,’ declares the LORD, ‘to save you; For I will destroy completely all the nations where I have scattered you, Only I will not destroy you completely. But I will chasten you justly And will by no means leave you unpunished.

Haggai 1:3

Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke by the commission of the LORD to the people saying, “ ‘ I am with you,’ declares the LORD.”

King Josiah for Republican nominee!!!

2012-02-01T16:37:25Z

I will make an effort to not sound like some raving, crazy, republican lunatic in this post....However, be warned.

What led me into the desire for beginning a ministry that is SOLEY based on the absolute FACT that Jesus IS the ANSWER to any problem you WILL ever encounter or dream to encounter, is that fact that I used to be so unbelievably messed up. If you haven’t gleaned from my previous posts, The ONLY God from the Bible saved me.

I sit today with an ultimate heavy heart for mankind. I am a huge news junkie, and watch as much as I can everyday to keep up with the major issues that we are dealing with on our planet. Sometimes, I sit teary eyed, with no hope displayed from the hours of 6p-7p. Sometimes, I get energized that this world needs someone to share Christ with them, and I am ready to do that.

However, this morning, after all the republican debates, I sit sad. I look at our options for the next presidential candidate and think to myself, we have the option of electing Newt, who has some questionable ethics, or Mitt, who’s values hardly match up with mine. As they slander each other back and forth from state to state, we will continue to watch the bloodbath, until grace is bestowed and one of the elect is chosen. I personally would like to see a KING JOSIAH candidate.

As a leader, I am constantly aware of my responsibility. I am aware that it is my responsibility to follow what God tells me, with no apologies. It doesn’t bother me if people don’t like it. It doesn’t bother me when people tell me no. As long I know that I am doing what God asks, I will accept any earthy push back, because I know that I am following Him.

I sailed to an amazing passage of scripture this morning about a King who was unapologetic about his choices, because his goal was pleasing God. When King Josiah of Judah was made aware of God’s laws in 2 Kings 22, he immediately began a quest to obey.

2 Kings 23:3 states,

The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD—to follow the LORD and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant.

The line that sticks out to me, is “with all his heart, and all his soul.” Josiah didn’t just follow God by saying all the right things, or acting like a good Christian to appease others. He followed the Lord to the core or His heart. Because Josiah was determined in his heart to follow the Lord, no human consequence mattered, and he began to destroy ALL THINGS THAT DIDN’T FOLLOW THE LORD. I challenge you to read the entire story in 2 Kings for yourself.

One of the last things said about his reign was this is 2 Kings 23:25,

25 Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him.

I don’t know about you today, but I want that said about me. In the midst of the filth we find ourselves wading in with these republican debates, I wonder... is any candidate truly seeking God? Are they asking and studying to find out what He wants for our nation to move forward? I can assure you, the answer to our problems as a country is not found in an new amendment to the constitution, or a different way to tax people or even securing our borders. The answer lies in SEEKING THE NAME OF JESUS FOR DIRECTION. He is ready to instruct, He waits. Won’t you pray for our nation.

How about you? I know many of you are in great leadership positions, From the pastor to the mother. I wonder how many of us are seeking exactly what direction God wants us to take our responsibilities. The people you are leading are looking to you?

Is your direction your idea, or God’s?

Proverbs 14:12 states,

There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Sometimes our way seems right, but only God can direct you to His plan for you. God’s direction doesn’t come randomly without petition. The bible says to diligently seek His way. He is waiting for your prayer, and petition. Won’t you join me and seek Him alone for ultimate direction. I promise, sweet reader, His way is won’t let you down.

Against all odds..

2012-01-19T03:11:31Z

There are moments in the Christian life that play very definitely on our security. I can think of dozens of moments in my life personally that have almost paralyzed me with the reality that the control of a situation has left my hands. I am a huge fan of the late Oswald Chambers. One quote that we recite often in our house by him states, “God works when we get to the limit of the possible.”

I don’t know what that looks like to you today....but I do know that if you have been a Christian for any length of time there has been a time when God asks you to stretch your faith muscle.

Recently, I have been faced with just such a situation. Knowing in my spirit the definite direction that God has ask me to proceed with my life, I found myself faced with a choice. I can move forward with the task at hand, risking almost all fears, or I can save face and retreat.

I sat there with sweaty palms. My heart beating rapidly, knowing what I must do. The conversation lingered. Failure was a possibility, but obedience on my part sustained me. When the opportunity arose, I responded bold on the outside, shaking on the inside. I waited.....and GOD DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Against all odds, He blessed.

A couple of days after this event, God brought me back to a passage of scripture that I haven’t visited in some time. Elijah is such an inspiring personality in scripture. He spoke with such authority in scripture. The pastors I admire most today, ALWAYS speak with authority of The Powerful God. Elijah was just such a guy.

In 1Kings 18, Elijah wanted to show the idol hungry nation of Israel the power of God up on Mount Carmel. So he decided to test the power of the idol Baal, and God. Baal’s 450 prophets did their thing, and failed. Elijah built an alter to the Lord, and said this:

1 Kings 18:36b

O Lord the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, TODAY LET IT BE KNOWN THAT YOU ARE GOD IN ISRAEL AND THAT I AM YOUR SERVANT AND I HAVE DONE ALL THESE THINGS AT YOUR WORD.

Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God and that You have turned their heart back again.

The the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

When all the people saw it, THEY FELL ON THEIR FACES; AND THEY SAID, “THE LORD, HE IS GOD; THE LORD, HE IS GOD.”

Elijah had an assignment from the Lord. He was the prophet and God used him to show the entire nation of Israel once again that God is the Almighty. Elijah, could have chosen NOT to do this task that God called Him to do, but he went forward in full obedience. Because of his bold stand for Christ, he saw a nation repent.

What if he didn’t have the faith to act? Clearly, he would not have tasted the power of the Almighty. Elijah was not confident in himself, He was confident in his God. Nothing pleases God like His children exercising their faith (Hebrews 11:6). Elijah boldly stated, LET IT BE KNOWN THAT YOU ARE GOD IN ISRAEL. And folks, He let Israel know.

I think of you today....faith is hard sometimes. It plays on your every insecurity, and often times we, as humans, have talked ourself out of the task God requested, and therefore forfeit the blessing.

Let me challenge you today, stop placing your eyes on the task at hand, but rather focus on the God that gave it to you. When your focus is Him, the task doesn’t seem so crazy!

The motive was you.

2011-12-19T16:19:31Z

Countless dollars have been spent to celebrate Christmas in churches this year. The production that we display to celebrate the coming of the King is mind-boggling. I sat a few weeks in a Christmas production so incredibly amazing that myself along with my family sat speechless. Open-mouthed we watched multiple angels swing back and forth above our heads while a huge amount of dancers, singers, and orchestra performed to the song “Angels we have heard on high”. Watching Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus on the stage in the midst was beautiful. It was more than my dry eyes could take, emotion got the best of me as it always does when Jesus followers come together to worship the true King.

We have been to many programs just like that this holiday season. I have to say, I have found myself stopping in the middle of the pomp and circumstance and asking Jesus what He thinks about the human effort to magnify His name. No doubt He is pleased when the hearts of those participating exceed the level of production.

I think today about God’s motive for giving us the Christ Child. My heart is drunk with passion for God when I read His love-letter to us and remember it was because of me and you.

John 3:16&17

For God so loved the world, that he gave only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

The production that God displayed in the stable and manger was seemingly insignificant, and yet if held the Force capable of breaking the bondage of the sin of mankind. All because His motive was us....

Unconditional love, isn’t that what we all want? The whimsical feel of Christmas might mask that want for a month or two, but inevitably January comes and reminds us we want to be loved. Many years ago, I tried to fill the void of love with so many things. I was completely frustrated when I did everything earthly possible to fill that void, and still came up short. There is only one answer to the relentless searching to find fulfillment in this life. The answer doesn’t lie in a mate, or even children. You will find that money and a huge house or great success doesn’t fill it. It can’t even be found in the love of a parent or affirmation of a degree. It manifests in the name of Jesus. I know some of you are searching for joy, and peace, and I know that you are tired or the search. My answer to you is that it can be found. The only way to attain it is a relationship with Jesus. When I got serious about my relationship with Jesus, I realized why I was so frustrated with my life. My expectation to everyone around me was for them to fill the itch to be accepted, and secure. It was so unfair to them, because it wasn’t there responsibility. I was using them as a stand in for Jesus.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus changed my perspective. Be aware if you think you have Jesus, and aren’t satisfied, it’s a sign that you might not have Him at all. His love is so powerful that you can’t mistake it when you have it. Receive the gift of Jesus’s love and forgiveness today.

After all, Gods motive for sending Jesus was you.

Is making a list for your husband as crazy as making one for Santa?

2011-12-08T16:41:19Z

When I was single, I made a list. I didn’t write this list on paper, I didn’t need to. I was so confident of what I wanted in a mate the very thought of him prompted frequent references back to my mental list. I knew after moving on from my previous marriage that if God was going to give me the gift of a husband there were many things that I wanted him to be. I knew that ministry was a very important interest. I knew that whoever God had for me must be supportive of my call to ministry. I knew I wanted someone who was going to adore me and displayed a very kind disposition. I wanted my husband to be funny, and laugh at my jokes even when they are stupid. One of the biggest (and most ridiculous) requests I had was that I wanted my husband to be a very specific height.

A couple of weeks ago someone that I adore asked me an interesting question. Her question to me was, “What do you think about praying for a specific list for a mate?” If you know me at all you will know that I am a huge fan of praying very specifically. I believe that we have a small way of measuring God’s amazing might when we see a very long awaited prayer answered to the exact specifications of our request. I thought a moment about how I would reply to this question. My answer was “I believe that God answers just enough on our list for our mates to show that He is a personal, detail-oriented God, and just enough NOT on our list to show that He is Sovereign.”

The bible says in Philippians 4:6

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Through the amazing gift of prayer and faith we have the privileged to watch God work in our lives. He begs us to drop the anxiety and let our requests be made known. So, we make our lists about our mate in secret. Only God knew the specific things I was wanting, and more than likely only God knows yours.

On the other hand check out Jeremiah 33:3,

Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you great and mighty things you do not know.

In order to show us He is the God of all, He has His own requirements for us. He knows things that we need, and we don’t even know to ask. After all, He is your Creator. In His sovereignty and timing He is the One Who creates the perfect match. His list of things in our mate far surpass ours, it’s His that matters.

When we have the faith to believe that God will answer our small suggestions, it pleases Him. After all, faith the size of a mustard seed moves mountains.(Matthew 17:20)

Eddie and I have been married for about 7.5 years. I have to tell you, God answered the height requirement. Eddie is the perfect height for me, and we fit together when we hug in the most comfortable way. Not only did God answer just about all the small suggestions I had, He added several Himself. The longer Eddie and I are married, and the more we experience together, the more I realize the unbelievable sovereignty of God, and the love He has for me. He gave me a gift in my husband, that I continue to open. I learn new ways to praise God the more I see His sovereignty in placing us together.

Don’t rule out the sovereign addition to your list for a mate!

Santa

2011-12-02T22:04:26Z

My dad is the Santa Claus for his local mall this year. I have to say, it’s possibly one of the funniest things that he has ever done. I can’t tell you the amount of laughter that has passed through our house as we have received pictures of my dad prepping to be Santa.

Last week, my whole family went to Indiana for Thanksgiving. One thing on the penned-in agenda was to see my dad as Santa make his big debut at the local mall. Even though we were exhausted from all the food eaten the previous day, we all got up with excitement on friday and rushed to get ready so we would not miss the “to do” that was happening at noon.

We arrived to the mall about 10 minutes early to a sea of people awaiting Santa’s arrival. My family and I exchanged glances of shock as we walked toward the mass. Not expecting that kind of turn out, we all laughed as we realized the huge ordeal that this had turned out to be. We stood with some adorable children sitting on the necks of their fathers and grandfathers and waited. Santa was to arrive in a helicopter, and the crowd was silent listening for the dull roar of the engine.

Finally, after what seemed like an hour we heard something in the distance. The crowd began to get excited, looking in every direction to where the helicopter could be coming from. After appearing in the far distance it began to make it’s grand decent. The crowd cheered as the helicopter came closer and closer to the grass where it was to land. The suspense was killing us as it made several loops around the area before it decided to drop off it’s preciously awaited cargo. When it landed, out stepped the man for all the pomp and circumstance was arranged. He stepped from the helicopter waving, and shouting, (in his best Santa voice) “HO, HO, HO, Merry Christmas.” The security in place could not contain the crowd of the children who had waited all year for Santa’s return, and they burst through the barrier. Santa found himself in the midst of a mob, and he was loving every second.

I have to say, I am a huge Santa fan. Up until this Christmas season we have practiced all the Santa traditions one can think of. This summer however, my daughter became wise to the fact that Santa is not real, and was happy breaking this new discovery to my husband and I. As crushed as I was that my baby had grown out of Santa, she agreed to keep our little secret for our son to enjoy.

As we waited for Santa to appear last week, my heart couldn’t help but think of my Saviors amazing return. Check out the verse below.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore, comfort one another with these words.

Every year we await Santa’s return, Christmas is definitely the most anticipated holiday in my house. But how many of us are living daily for the return of the TRUE KING? I talk to a lot of people who aren’t ready to stop playing around with sin and become serious about a relationship with Christ, but the reality is Jesus is coming back to this earth and the bible clearly tells us it will be at a time we don’t expect. Check out this verse in Matthew...

Matthew 24:36-37

But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, not the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.

I wonder how many of us today are ready to meet Jesus face to face? Would you be ashamed today to see him when he comes, or are you anxiously awaiting Him to come? I know the thought might not enter your mind very often, but the reality is, it’s on God’s calendar.

As much I as I love to have fun with Santa, sometimes I wonder if Christians are waiting for Jesus as much as we wait to play Santa with our kids at Christmas.

I challenge you to prepare your heart for seeing Jesus in the clouds, the same way you prepare your house for Santa’s big debut.

Entitlement or Thanksgiving????

2011-11-22T16:05:17Z

My darling Grace has been begging for a snow globe for a couple of years. There is something about the way the snow wraps around the glass bowl that mesmerizes my sweet girl. If one of the snow globes she happens to see in a store also plays music, you can see her bright eyes glow with excitement as she winds the object.

Eddie and I have not purchased her one knowing that one drop of the glass globe, and she would be crushed. Not that she has stopped asking. Every time we see one she begins begging and pleading almost to our frustration knowing that she is not quite old enough.

Last weekend we were at Home Depot getting some Christmas decorations for our house, and she spotted a beautiful snow globe that happen to play Christmas music. I let her carry it around the store playing the music and expressing her love for the beauty of the globe. We were in Home Depot a very long time. So long that we lost Eddie. As we were trying to find him I watched her. She never asked for me to buy it, there was no pleading or begging. She was just appreciating the time she had with it. It hit me that her sense of entitlement to the object had changed to a welcomed respect for Eddie and my decision to wait it out.

It was almost more than my heart could take when I asked her to take it back and she did so with little commentary. As I watched her sweet heart change from entitlement to the object to appreciation of it, I wanted to reward her. I pulled her aside and told her because she had the right attitude I would buy it for her. She almost didn’t believe me at first, her eyes a little misty she grabbed the box and headed for the register. After the clerk gave us the bag, she was overcome with Thanksgiving to me for giving her what she wanted.

I think today of our culture and the idea of Thanksgiving this week. I wonder today if we as a whole have a heart of Thanksgiving or entitlement.... I have noticed that it is harder and harder to come by someone that is sincerely thankful for a service rendered or a gift given. We expect presents at birthdays, and excellence in everything even down to the barista at Starbucks. Lot’s of times someone does something for us, and we forget to say a quick thank you.

There is a story of ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19. When the 10 lepers saw Jesus enter the city they cried to Him for healing begging and pleading for Him to heal them. He answered their cry and told them to present themselves to the priest to be healed. After presenting himself to the priest only ONE of the healed lepers came back to Jesus.

vs. 16

And he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan.

vs. 17

Then Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But nine--where are they? (18) Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?”

This story is incredible convicting to me. Jesus had just given one of the biggest blessings one could ask for, and performed a huge service for these men, and ONLY ONE remembered to thank Him.

I fear they felt so entitled to the healing they forgot to praise the Healer Himself.

Do you have an entitled heart or a heart of Thanksgiving? Do you expect things from people or God in such a way that when your way is given you you don’t even remember to take a minute and praise them for it?

PRAISE GOD TODAY, FOR HE IS GOOD. HE IS SO WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE!!!!

Psalm 92:1a

It is good to give thanks to the Lord..

Psalm 95:2a

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving.

Psalm 100:4a

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and bless His name.

Psalm 105:1

Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name..

Psalm 106:1a

Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.

Psalm 107:1a

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.

Psalm 111:1

Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with all your heart.

Freedom!

2011-11-09T16:22:26Z

Last Christmas I was at my parents house celebrating the holiday. As the family grows with spouses and kids, each addition make their spacious house smaller. My daughter always sleeps in their study which is full of books that they have used and read for years. They have an amazingly comfortable futon that serves Graces sleep needs to a T. I was getting her ready for the day while we were there and my eyes panned over to the bookshelf. I stopped short when my eye picked up on a book that holds a special place in my heart.

I stopped and immediately skimmed through the pages to find the blessed line that changed my life. After a few minutes I found it, the line read, “Don’t faint precious child of God, soon in the midst of your days, your day of jubilee is coming.”

My mind went back to that day in my history....

I remember being completely overwhelmed with my circumstances that particular day. My ex-husband had just left for work, and I found myself needing a touch from my Savior. I was in bondage in so many ways, I felt as if I had no hope. I remember the amount of stress that day hurt physically. As soon as he left the house I ran for the life-giving message my bible would bring, at that time I was reading this particular devotional from Kay Arthur. It was a day by day devotional, and that day I needed a message of hope which manifested in a single sentence and ended with “your day of jubilee is coming.” After I read that sentence, I went on my own study about “jubilee” and the significance in the bible. You can read it for yourself in Leviticus 25. The idea of “the year of jubilee” was significant to me that day. I learned that every 50th year was to be set aside by the Israelites and in that year they would proclaim a release through the land from debts, captives would be set free, and people would return home. It also was a year of rest and celebration or jubilee.

The word “jubilee” has stuck with me all these years as my little message from God. I knew He spoke loudly to me that day so many years ago. He promised me release from my bondage, and He fulfilled it. When I need it, (which is a lot these days) God allows me to see that word somewhere. It may be in a song or a commercial. It may be on a brand of product at a store, but when I see it, my promise is once again solidified in my mind.

God brought me back to that passage of scripture last week and reminded me of His power at work in my life. After my little study session last week, I stood speechless. He showed me once again fresh things from His word that are rich in meaning to me personally.

I wonder today if you feel in bondage to someone or something. I know what it’s like to feel forsaken, tattered, worn, worthless, insignificant, taken advantage of, made fun of, hopeless, ugly, stupid, and overwhelmed. Let me remind you today, that we serve a God that can change your circumstance with one fervent sincere call out to Him in prayer. He promises that no matter how you feel, His love is stronger. Any emotion regarding your circumstance He is able to overcome. If you are ready to break free from the bondage you find yourself in and claim a time of jubilee in your life, He is waiting.

I leave you with Jesus saying this in Luke 4:18,

The Spirit of the Lord in upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF THE SIGHT TO THE BLIND. TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD. (year of Jubilee)

The very freedom from your bondage lies in a touch from Jesus.

Who's building your house?

2011-10-31T03:31:05Z

Eddie and I live in a new neighborhood. I think it’s been the first time in our 7.5 years of marriage that we actually know our neighbors. We live on the end of the cul de sac with some of the best neighbors anyone could ask for. Our next door neighbor is a nurse, and she has come over a couple of times after a frantic call from me needing to know if Jude needs stitches. Last week when we came home to our backyard fence blown completely over, our sweet neighbors were there to lend a hand with the cleanup. Our neighborhood is in a building phase. We, right now, have about six homes going up around us and at any given time you can hear hammers, drills, and the engine of the latest cement truck drive by. Often I have looked out my back door and surveyed the process of the new homes. As I think of it today, my mind goes to The Blush Network.

This last year has been The Blush Network’s building phase. We are planning (God-willing) for the long hall with our ministry, and tax forms, and legal papers must be submitted to become a recognizable organization. If you haven’t guessed, I don’t like doing these little tedious things, however, they are the necessary steps in building an organization. Often, I have referred to my amazing Board of Directors for advice and have leaned on my husband more than ever for help. We have seen in the last two years an amazing transformation. One of my favorite songs right now is “You make beautiful things” by Gungor, in which they sing the line, You make beautiful things out of dust, which we know is taken from the Bible. I have seen in the past two years God has grown our little baby ministry from the dust. It has been an amazing thing to witness knowing the tears, and the prayers, and the waiting it required. One thing I know for sure is that God has done it.

One of the things I struggle with is doing things too quickly. I have always been the impatient type. I am ambitious, and passionate about just about everything, and it has caused me much heartache in the past. God has worked on me in that area for years, and I’m still no where near where I need to be. With Blush, knowing my weakness in this area, I wanted to be sure God was driving the ship, and not me. With prayer we have entered into some new phases of the ministry. If it was up to me, we would have done a whole bunch of different things, but my desire has been for us to walk WITH GOD, AND NOT IN FRONT OF HIM.

This verse speaks so plainly appropriate for today.

Psalm 127:1

Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor IN VAIN who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.

We, at Blush, want the Lord God ALMIGHTY to build our ministry, and we are asking Him to lead the way. I know today as we open up our new website, we are seeing the very hand of God at work in building His ministry. I ask that you pray for Blush and the difference we want to make on our sweet young women’s lives going forward.

Many times this year, I have clung to the verse Exodus 33:15.

The he said to Him, “If your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.

We are asking for God’s presence, because we know that He holds the answer to any problem or issue that we come across at The Blush Network.

Please check out the Blush Networks new website at theblushnetwork.com.

*****Big thanks to DAVID SHREIN, AND THE ONE AND ONLY EDDIE MILES FOR THE WEBSITE!!!!!!!!*******

What do you leave behind

2011-10-19T13:34:56Z

I am sitting right now on a teeny tiny airplane headed to the next speaking engagement that the Lord has so graciously allowed me to have. It’s been one of those days. You know the kind I am talking about. You get to the airport only to find out that the airline, without emailing you, has changed your flight to 3 hours later. Then you stand in a line and wait for someone to reschedule your flight because ain’t no way you showed up 3 hours early for nothing. Then you get on the plane only to find out that you are the lucky winner of a seat between to healthy men. Then you get airplane sick because you read the whole flight and didn’t realize you were dizzy until you stood up. You get the picture I’m sure. Well, I walked outside to get on my connection and sat on this little plane for quite sometime waiting for takeoff. The flight wasn’t full so we all took dibs on who got the empty seat, and lucky enough, I got to sit in a row by myself.

I was looking out the window thinking to myself, what is taking so long and saw a luggage cart being driven by a man drive right beside us. As he took the curve, two pieces of luggage spilled out of the side of the “security” flaps onto the road. The man in front of me turned around and ask me if I had seen what had happened and we both laughed about the incident, because the man driving the little luggage cart never even turned around. As we drove off we saw a pink suite case and a black suite case laying on the pavement alone. I said, “looks like he didn’t care about the luggage he left behind.”

As I sit thinking of that statement, it’s taken on a whole new meaning. I see Christian’s everywhere, doing the Christian thing and keeping it to themselves. They go to church every sunday, and they have prayed the salvation prayer to give them some fire insurance, but they don’t share their faith. Besides the “rules” no one knows that they hold the key to everlasting life. Some Christians are content living a rule-keeping Christian life, without power. Can you be a Christian without using the power that lies in your heart? I suppose you can, but why on earth would you? Think, my beautiful friends, about those that you may leave behind. Wouldn’t it be a travesty to live your whole life around people that aren’t Christians and you never share what you know.

We get so busy plowing through our little personal lives without regard to our true mission here on earth. Our mission is to spread the glory of Christ and share what Jesus has done for us. Don’t so get to caught up in your feelings or insecurities that you care more about your them than your mission. Consider the people around you your assignment, if they aren’t Christians THEY NEED WHAT YOU KNOW.

Since my divorce, I have decided that my life WILL COUNT FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. The petty things of this world hold no candle to the fulfillment of watching a life change for Christ and the reward that comes from Christ because of it.

I have to admit that sometimes I freak people out when I meet them, but the people in my path know where I stand with Christ, and I make no apologies for it. My insecurities are not worth someone else’s eternity.

Don’t leave them behind.

Who do you listen to?

2011-10-05T22:08:33Z

A few years ago my husband and I found ourselves having to make a very unpopular decision. It was a decision that would affect our little family in the most dramatic way. Everything we knew would change, and everyone we knew would not be on board. We found ourselves completely torn over the decision and kept it quiet for several months telling only our parents until we knew that we had heard from God. After we were confident, we shared it with those around us. It was hard. It hurt. I remember the resounding question that we faced was, why didn’t you come to us and gain some perspective. That question is hard to answer when you are staring some great friends in the face. But we knew that God had spoken to both of us extremely clear. When God speaks, whatever He says is the answer. Some of our friends tried to talk us out of the decision, but we remained confident in the fact that God was working. If Eddie and I didn't make the unpopular decision we would not be experiencing what we are today.

In my reading this morning I was so intrigued by these verses in Galatians 1:15-16,

But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and CALLED me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I DID NOT IMMEDIATELY CONSULT WITH FLESH AND BLOOD.

Wow, Paul said something amazing here!! Paul was on his way to persecute Christians, and God got ahold of him and He got saved!! Right when Paul got saved he knew that he was called by God to preach the gospel, something that he was persecuting other Christians for doing minutes before. If Paul would have consulted his friends right after his conversion, he would have been laughed at and would have been heavily influenced to NOT preach the message of grace. After all, Paul’s friends were the same guys that wanted Jesus dead. If Paul would of listened to them what would that have done for the message of the gospel??? Paul, the greatest missionary that ever lived, could have been silenced because of the advice of men.

Don’t get me wrong here, God a lot of times confirms His call on your life through godly counsel. My challenge today is when you are sure that God is telling you to do something, ask God to confirm it through GODLY counsel. As women, we have a problem of asking anyone who will listen for direction, and although well-meaning, some people are not in tune with what God is telling you to do. When you ask everyone you run the risk of being talked out of one of the most amazing moments of you life.

This passage in James is a great guideline for advice.

the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 1:17

When God speaks, listen.

Do you CLING?

2011-09-28T02:49:29Z

Last week Eddie was out of town and for the first time in a while, it was me, by myself, with my kiddos for a few days. I have to say, I was enjoying having my undivided attention on Grace and Jude. I took a break from working for a few days to fully enjoy the alone time with my kiddos. I had asked the kids what they wanted me to make for supper one night. Grace chimed in first to say that she hadn’t had my lasagna in a while, Jude followed suit and before you know it I was listening to a duet of “We want lasagna, we want lasagna”. So, after I dropped Grace at school Jude and I headed to get the ingredients. When we got home, I quickly made the lasagna so Jude and I could play some ball before he had to take a nap. I was just about done with the dish and Jude couldn’t wait for me to finish. He wanted to go outside right then. I told him to go ahead outside and wait for me. He ran out with the ball and bat in his hand anxious for me to follow as soon as I could.

About two minutes later I hear a squeal unlike a squeal I have heard before and I see Jude’s little spiked hair as he runs around the bar to where I was standing. His cries were desperate, his eyes were wide and completely terrified. In an instant I was trying to figure out the problem, he couldn’t speak, just scream. As I frantically looked him over, I saw a large amount of fire ants around his ankles and all over his shoes. Without another second, I stripped him as quick as possible and put him in the sink. In about .7 seconds I had washed all the ants off of his legs and we were surveying the damage. After calling the doctor about what to do, and getting her assurance that a visit to see her wasn’t necessary I smothered his little ankles with cortisone cream, and held my little man for a while.

Even now, when I think of Jude’s face, it makes me emotional. He ran to me, in the midst of his urgency trusting that I would know how to help him. He didn’t care about being scolded earlier in the day, or that he might of been upset with me about giving Grace a piece of candy for helping and he didn’t get one. At the point of his crisis, he was clinging to the fact that he knew I would help, no matter what.

In Joshua’s farewell address in Joshua 23:8 he tells the children of Israel this,

But you are to CLING to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day.

The use of the word cling in this passage is captivating. In one of Joshua’s last statements his charge was to cling. The children of Israel knew what it was like to be hopeless. They knew that in some of the situations they were faced with without God’s utter might, they would have been completely wiped out as a nation. They recognized desperation, and they knew Who their Deliverer was. Even still, Joshua said “cling”.

Why did he give this charge? Because Joshua knew how easily they wandered from the Lord. He knew the temptation for them to rely on themselves, when there was not impending danger.

Isn’t it so true that in a panicky moment like Jude and the fire ants, or news from the doctor, or a pink slip at work, or a letter that you get in your mail, or wondering where the money is going to come from to pay the mortgage, we CLING to the Lord. Clinging in rough times seems so natural because we need a Savior. Then there are days when we just get paid, and the kids are behaving, or we get a promotion, and we are just doing well that we tend to forget where those blessings come from. We slack in reading our bibles and praying because we are doing ok without it. When things are good, sometimes God is the farthest thing from our mind. Why is that? He is the same God, and worthy of the same adoration.

If you are doing well, it isn’t because you are super smart or got it all together, it because God is blessing you. He loves you so much that He wants to bless you, just like you love to bless you children. Don’t forget in the great times in your life to praise Him for his goodness, and have the attitude of still being desperate for Him.

King David in the Psalms is the perfect example of CLINGING to the Lord. He knew when times were bad that God was HIs only hope, and when times were amazing God was the only reason.

I leave you with this.

Psalm 107:1

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Haters????

2011-09-20T17:54:30Z

I was speaking a few years ago to a large group of people in Indiana. The crowd was men, women, and children. It made for an interesting day, however, I prayed and prayed about what exactly God wanted me to share. I had not taken this engagement lightly and was completely excited for what God was going to do that day. I decided to share my testimony about my previous husband and God’s grace to me through that situation. I knew that the topic would be heavy, but made sure it was age appropriate. I prayed before I took the stage, I remember being honored this group would even have me, I was so grateful for the experience. Because children were present I decided to share how my daughter Grace got her name.

My daughter Grace is part of God’s grace to me. I won’t ever forget the week after my divorce from my previous husband was final my family and I went on vacation. We NEEDED a vacation so bad due to the huge amount of stress the whole situation caused. We went to Gatlinburg, TN. I remember sitting in a hot tub by myself one night talking to God. I at that point was content to be single for the rest of my life, but I said this to God that night, “God, if you bless me with a baby girl one day, I will name her Grace because of the grace you have shown me.” I prayed for a while that night, and always remembered my promise.

Well, wouldn’t you know a few years later, I was remarried, and pregnant and I knew even before the ultra-sound tech told me that it was a girl. Her name is none other than Grace.

I shared that with that crowd thinking it would resonate. I left the stage and gathered my belongings to head home. I remember many coming up to me saying they enjoyed what I shared. As I went to leave on woman was waiting for me. She came right up to me and said, why would you ever share that about your child’s name. That is inappropriate, and I don’t think you should tell anyone that she was named after a bad marriage. Her advice to me was to keep it a secret. I left feeling a little defeated, but confident in my message, and I have come to realize that there WILL ALWAYS BE HATERS.

I read the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead today, you can find the entire story in John chapter 11. It’s an amazing story about one of Jesus’s closest friends getting very sick and before Jesus could make it to heal him he passed away. When Jesus finally got to his home He was questioned as to why He waited to get there. Jesus’s response was, vs.40b “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God.” The He prayed, and called Lazarus out of the grave and the dead man came back to life and walked out still bound.

The whole story is captivating, but one part caught my eye. If you read the story in it’s entirety you will see vs.45 many Jews believed in Jesus that day. But verse 46 says,

“But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done.”

Even Jesus, who the Jews just saw Him raise the dead, were haters. It didn’t matter what this man did for humanity, they didn’t like Him nor did they want Him spreading His truth.

I think of us.....Sometimes, we are doing all we can for the glory of the Lord and we get bogged down by a single comment of negativity. Our hearts are righteous before the Throne, and someone takes what we do and pulls it apart.

Let me encourage you today, DON’T GIVE IN! If God has called you to do a specific thing to further His name, do it. Let the haters hate, and let God take care of them. Whenever we do something for the name of Christ, satan doesn’t want us to succeed so he tries as hard as he can to destroy us. There will always be someone who doesn’t like everything you do, but remember to keep your eye’s on our God, and He will give you the strength to overcome!

What do your roots say about you?

2011-08-26T15:18:46Z

Yesterday, I made a trip to Galveston to work. The trip was a long one, and even longer when you factor in traffic for no reason in a random place, and Houston’s rush hour traffic. I enjoyed my time though, I prayed and prayed for the direction of Blush and where God is going to lead us in the very near future. I listened to some new worship records that I haven’t had a chance to get all the way through. I was immersed in my Jesus when I noticed something that I have never seen before. I began to see on either side of me big trees that were dead from about the middle to the ground. The tops of the trees were completely bright green. I was amazed by the sight. Some of the leaves were brown and completely dead, and literally one branch above them there were leaves that were bright green. I just looked in awe for several miles wandering what could happen to make the same tree so drastically different. The Lord brought to my mind several things as I was gazing in awe, one of them is this passage of scripture.

Psalm 1: 1-3

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. HE SHALL BE LIKE A TREE PLANTED BY THE RIVERS OF WATER, THAT BRINGS FORTH ITS FRUIT IN ITS SEASON, WHOSE LEAF ALSO SHALL NOT WITHER; AND WHATEVER HE DOES SHALL PROSPER.

I couldn’t help but liken the trees to some Christians. I have rarely seen a more beautiful group of people than Christians. We get all dolled up on Sunday, we fix our kids hair all cute, and wear a cute number that we just picked up from the mall, and come to church all beautiful. We say the right thing, like “praise the Lord” or “Amen” or even “I’m praying for you” regularly, but beneath the surface some of us are spiritually dead. I have talked and counseled with some of the most beautiful individuals you would ever see, and they look like they have it all together, and yet they are dead inside.

There problem is almost always and INACTIVE WALK WITH CHRIST. Without Christ, and the Holy Spirit you lack the power for anything.

Romans 8:13 says clearly,

For if you live according to the flesh (or ourselves) you will die.

I know that some of you out there are tired of playing the nauseating, church, country club game and are ready to commit fully to a relationship with God that is not a show, but an outpouring of your heart. To me, there is nothing more amazing than to see a person completely in bondage to themselves, and their ideas, SET FREE. Guess who offers that freedom? His has a name that is above all other, Jesus Christ.

I can speak to this so passionately because many years ago, I was the tree who looked nice on the top, but whose roots were completely dead.

Choose to commit and stop playing the fence today, I promise it’s worth it to let go of the control.

Your appointed time!!

2011-08-23T18:45:37Z

It almost hurt to breathe yesterday as I walked my vivacious, beautiful, kind and compassionate baby girl into the elementary school doors for the first time. She was ready, she has been ready. God has given her such a passion for living and expressing her joy through her most bubbly and captivating personality. Just Sunday night, as we always do Eddie and I sat with her by her bedside to kiss her goodnight, and to sing her her song of choice as a lullaby. However, it was different this Sunday. I sat by her side and told her the gifts that God has given her, she smiled huge as I was speaking to her strengths. I sat there and prayed for God to protect her eyes, ears, and mind from the influences of the world. I have been a stay-at-home mommy for almost six years, and Eddie and I have been the only major influences in her life. Knowing that that was going to change the next day made me pray with extra conviction. After we prayed, I asked Grace what song she wanted to hear, she said confidently, Jesus loves me, and as I was beginning to sing, she said no mom, Baby Mine. Baby Mine is the song from the movie Dumbo, and when I was five months pregnant with her I memorized the song to sing as her lullaby every night. I sang it for almost 5 years solid, until Jude started liking to hear Jesus loves me. Sunday night was the first time she has requested it in a long while. I began to sing, and the tears came. They were definitely not tears of regret or anger, just tears because my girl had completed one stage in her life, and is now on to the next. I ended up having to leave the room and let Eddie finish, and came downstairs to process.

I sat on my bed and let myself have a good cry. I know that God knows exactly how I was feeling, after all, He sent His Son to earth for us. In that moment, I let myself go back to the cradle, and the first steps, and the first words of my girl. I let myself take a minute to thank God for the time that she has been with me 24/7. Although it has been a challenging job, God sent me to do it.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says,

There is an appointed time for everything, and there is a time for every event under the sun.

This was Grace’s appointed time to move on to what God called her to do on this earth. She has a calling, just like I do, and influencing the body of Christ, through her little classmates, at this time in her life is one of them. I sat back and began to recognize the bigger picture, and God began to bring peace.

How fitting that one of Grace’s favorite stories is of queen Esther who was placed on earth, “for such a time as this.” This time period in Grace’s life is her appointed time, just like yours, and just like mine.

We are not placed on the earth to take up space, we are called to work for our King. The choice is ours. I think of so many people who waste their lives, trying to get a bigger paycheck or more notoriety and look back when they are on their death bed and realize what life was really about. If we are Christians we have a very specific guidebook to follow. The bible clearly tells us how to raise our kids, and treat our spouses, and use our spiritual gifts, but we have to study it and see what it says.

One of the best things I could ever tell you is to study the Word of our God for the steps for your life. God doesn’t always promise millions of dollars or fame, but He does promise living an abundant and purpose filled existence. After all, you are here for this appointed time for an appointed purpose. If you know that you need to make a change, there is no greater time than the present. Take that step of faith to fulfill what God has been begging you to do for sometime, and He will give you the grace and strength to do it. God is waiting......

Do we trust in a credit rating?

2011-08-11T20:57:22Z

I have become a “city girl”. I wasn’t raised that way, I can remember my parents taking my siblings and I on long hiking trails in the heart of Indiana at the State Parks. I remember swimming in the Indiana creeks and rivers, and catching fire flies with jars. I used to enjoy sitting on my parents back porch and listening to the crickets for hours on a summer night. These days, things are a little different. Because of Gods leading in our families life we find ourselves driving on the loops in Dallas and breathing the smog of the city. We have traded swimming in creeks for pools, and listening to crickets to listening to our ipods. The life we lead these days is so different then growing up. I don’t realize the difference until I have been smacked with it.

This week we have been in the great Smokey mountains, and have de-citied ourselves. Just today I found myself having trouble leaving a spot on the front porch of a one-hundred year old mill with an older man singing to the tunes of his acoustic. The scenario was picturesque and my heart desperately needed it. After we left, we took a ride in the mountains and stopped at several majestic overlooks to see the wonders of the mystery of creation. We ended up stopping at old log cabin compound. I got out of the car and headed to the dilapidated main house and gazed in awe. The plaque read it was the house of the family of Ephriam Bale. It was occupied between the dates of 1890-1930. I love to read the plaques and learn about the generations that have gone before us. The two room log cabin stood with pride displaying it’s age for the onlookers to see. It had aged well. There were three other buildings which included a barn, corn shed, and a smokehouse. As I looked around the buildings I thought of my house. We have internet, phones everywhere, satellite, electricity, Blue ray players, tv’s, appliances, cars, computers, whatever we “need”. These people had none of that. They had a roof, and food, and clothing. Maybe at times not even that much.

I began thinking of what we have, and what we think we must have. With all the “credit-rating” issues in Washington and the stock market not being the most comforting thing right now, I am amazed at where the faith of our nation has gone. We have stopped trusting in God for our needs and have placed the focus on flawed men. We are looking at our luxuries and forgetting that they are just that. Our stability doesn’t come in stuff.

King David says in Psalm 91:2

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God in whom I will trust.

David didn’t say credit rating, or stock market, He said my God in whom I will trust.

If the Bale family can make it with next to nothing living on the side of a mountain, we can too! It’s time my beauties to make our trust in the Most High again, and call on Him in confidence. He is the Ultimate Strong Tower.

Guard yourself

2011-08-01T13:50:45Z

I look at children everyday with an absolute desire for them to become who God created them to be. I look at my little 5 year old Grace, who is destined to be a leader of a great movement of God. She exudes the strength and sensitivity at a young age that is built into a great leader. I look at my young tender hearted son, Jude and see him as an individual that will one day become a man of integrity. Even at the young age Eddie and I get the sense of a calling on his life that will serve the helpless and needy. Both are built for greatness.

The longer I am a mother the more I desire my children to see the beauty in my Jesus. I am awaiting the day when Jude asks my Jesus to become his God. I had the privilege of leading my Grace to Christ and seeing her baptized. I see the culture waiting patiently to destroy the values that we are desperately trying to instill, the cry of the sinful society weighs heavy on me daily and reminds me to pray for the future of my children.

The same way I long for my children to not be distracted by enticing wicked society Christ longs for me and you. We live in a day and age when everything is a disease and everything is validated with excuses. Even in the Christian circles we have a high tolerance for sin. We look at our lives and feel that if someone isn’t killing someone or molesting a young child they are a quote “good person” and don’t need to be investigated any further. In reality we are serving idols. I have never seen a world so obsessed with stuff. It’s a total “addiction” to get and to have and to indulge in yourself. I look around at parents not spending time with their children because their jobs have become their identity and NO ONE is calling them out. I see women who are injecting themselves with the latest toxic age-defying serum that is certain to take many years off, and wonder where we are headed.

An idol today is rarely a little statue of a ancient prophet, or a fat little guy that is suppose to bring you good luck. It is blatant that we are serving idols and the idol we are serving is us. I was struck with this verse last week. Check it out.

1 John 5:27

Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

This nugget is simple is it’s verb-age and vast in it’s meaning. The author John was writing to believers, not to unbelievers. This was the same guy who was the author of Revelation and the gospel of John. He obviously was concerned even in that day that believers were being led astray by other things in order to serve themselves. I love the endearing beginning of this verse, little children. That’s what we are. We are children of the most High. The author John had seen Jesus and been called “the beloved disciple”. He knew what idols can do, and what they did to Judas the disciple who sold Jesus to the Pharisees for 30 pieces of silver. He knew that abundance is not found IN SELF, but in a relationship with Christ, and He challenges us with, guard yourselves from idols.

My question today is is there an idol in your life? Examine yourself today. If you are constantly making excuses for something, or feeling guilty for an action that you are doing. If you are hiding something, or doing something in secret. If you are never satisfied with your life. Odds are you have an idol. No need to panic, it’s time to get rid of it, and protect against it in the future.

Bottom line, my sweet reader, is that that idol will never satisfy. It may satisfy for the moment, but it will leave you empty yet again. Guard against it, just like our military does for battle. Remember, it is possible to overcome!

Love you sweet reader!! Thanks so much for reading!! I am amazed at you!! My passion is to challenge you with what I have learned, and I am amazed that you all are reading!! I would love to hear from you!! Feel free to connect with me if you have a question!!

Check your precious heart!

2011-07-20T13:29:22Z

I love what I do. I love being a mommy to two of the most incredible, beautiful, vibrant children the Lord could have bestowed upon me. I love my husband, I love our ebb and our flow, I love that God has given me a man that fights with me for my Savior. I love the fact that I have the opportunity, if people will have me, to speak with a passion for my Savior. I do not deserve the abundance that I experience.

I recently battled a season of ungratefulness and discontentment with my circumstances. I felt almost God pull away as He was trying to get me to realize I had a couple of heart issues that needed attention. I felt for several weeks God bring a particular subject to my mind and almost gently ask, “Autumn, what do you think about this?” I would entertain the thought for a few minutes and resolve in my finite wisdom that me and God were square and go about my day. I would find myself frustrated over things that shouldn’t frustrate me. A couple of days later I would get the same question from the Father again. Shrugging it off, I would reconcile that my heart was clean before the Lord and move on only to find myself frustrated once again. A few days ago while singing a praise song that has been around for many years, He spoke loud and clear. The song....All of You is more than enough. I was paralyzed as I stood in church, not being able to respond to the message of the powerful song, because at that point I had a block between me and my God. In the 5 minutes the song was playing, I tried to figure out what was going on, but it wasn’t until the next day during my quiet time that God hit me right between the eyes with His word. In an instant, I realized my sin and became overwhelmed with sorrow before Him. After I settled and confessed my wicked heart, He blessed me once again with His word.

This scenario might be brutally honest, but the truth is even in our sin God has the love for us to seek after our heart. He pursues and pursues and reveals until it is blatant before us. God is willing to get messy with us in order to perfect our relationship with Him. Most of the time our own sin is the hardest to diagnose, and the most blatant for others to see. In love, God beckons, with His peaceful way, until we break down our barriers and respond to His goodness.

The issue is US. We as a people DO NOT LIKE TO LISTEN. We are constantly taking things in with our Ipods and our computers and our Tv’s. We fill our minds with things that scream at us for our attention, but how often do we still ourselves enough to listen.

Take a minute and do just that......Listen.....

The Word clearly says in the most candid way in Psalm 46:10, BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD. The action on your part is to be still and let Him speak to you.

I am reminded of the parable of the Shepard and the lost sheep. The Shepard left all of His sheep to seek after the one that had gone a stray. He pursued until the lost sheep was found. I know for us in our busy schedules some of our hearts have gone astray and we need to Be Still and let God pursue us until He reveals to us the potential sin in our hearts. It might be messy or uncomfortable, but the abundant life in Christ depends upon our heart purification.

Luke 15:4

4 “(A)What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the [a]open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?

I wonder today if you would be still before the King of Kings and allow Him to reveal something that you might need to take care of. It might be something like lust, vanity, gossip, self-righteousness, pride. The great thing about God is that when He reveals, the sin will be clear. I wonder today if you would be courageous enough to confess that sin to the Lord.

He IS pursuing you today.....Are you listening?