Stepping

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. - Ezekiel 36:26

Dipping my heart back into the idea of ministry opens a world of possibilities. I've been parked for quite some time now, walking through a season of dryness, silence and preparation.

Feeling reluctant for months, I think it may be time to take that step. Full-force in carefree abandonment ... propelling forward off of the next great precipice always gets my blood pumping.

I think about the people who will join me - individuals I have a love for long before even meeting them face-to-face. Coming together for a common purpose ... my heart leaps with thoughts of what will be accomplished.

For eyes that land here today, I humbly ask for prayer. A step out onto the deep requires a lot of courage on my part. The wind and the waves can be so noisy.

God made us for ministry. What burns in your heart? How have you been gifted? What is it that you can't stand to see go unheeded?

I will pray for you too - that God reveals that special place of purpose for you. We all have work to do.

And Kingdom work requires nothing less than all.

Good Reception

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." - Deuteronomy 31:6

I received a phone call late into the night. The ring broke silence and tore through my dreams ... it was my son.

"Mom, I'm scared."

A trip to Grandpa's with plans to hit McDonald's for breakfast and then the lake for fishing had Michael jumping into my Dad's truck with no hesitation yesterday. Visions of lakeside entertainment danced in his head.

But as night fell, and after everyone else was asleep, fear crept in. I spend a long time coaching Mikey through, giving him tips on how to fall asleep. "Did you pray? Pretend you are home, that Ginger is sitting at your feet and that I am right down the hall."

"I already tried all of that -- I just wish I were home."

Resting the phone next to my ear, and encouraging Michael to do the same, I told him to go ahead and drift off to sleep ... that I would be drifting off right next to him. We both surrendered to heavy lids. Hearing my little guy breathing through the phone brought me great comfort. Micheal's assurance that I was there when he called out made it safe enough to finally fall asleep.

"Mom, are you still there?"

"Yes Buddy, I'm here. Try and get some sleep, okay?"

I could really relate to my trembling little boy last night. In times of fear I find myself crying out to God saying, "I just wish I were home." And every so tenderly, our connection is secured through the comfort and familiarity of prayer. I kneel, and He nestles in close to my heart and promises to be there when I call.

The safety of faith is unmatchable, sending the boogie-men of this world running. God can be trusted to carry you through any uncertainty, every disappointment and pain. How is your connection with the Lord today?

Call out to Him -- He really can hear you! Take courage and know ... God's love is closer than a whisper in the darkest night.

Crossroads

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

Mark and I have an enormous decision to make.

I was walking along the path minding my own business, trying to step in places that would please the Lord - when all of the sudden I was faced with an immediate decision.

It is something I have been grappling with for months - something that the Lord has been preparing me for. I just didn't expect to have to make the decision NOW.

Either path I take will not be easy. There are bumps and bruises to acquire, a strengthening of heart, which always includes a test or two. But as I contemplate which road to take, both seem logical. Both (with God's divine intervention) can be tolerated. But only one requires the surrender of everything I hold most dear.

The thought of taking this way breaks my heart - but taking steps in the other direction has proven to kill it.

If your eyes land here today, please pray for me. I need God's wisdom and a boatload of strength.

Sometimes God carries us to places to prove that Jesus is all we will ever need.

His love is more than enough.

Storytime

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. - Mark 16:15

I think I am ready to begin writing my first book. While I was planning on waiting at least five years ... the enormity of the project has me wondering if starting today might not be a bad idea.

I start this day, by simply making the decision, "I am going to start on my first novel."

Very little training in the craft of writing fiction does have me hesitate a bit. Characterization, plot, structure, deep POV - all of this sends my mind spinning. But there is a protagonist hidden in my heart, waiting to tell her story. Hiding in quiet moments, following me around every hill and turn. I've been chosen for this task and I believe with all my heart that the story is going to tell itself.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the training I've received thus far, and there are endless opportunities to grow in this specialized craft. Like a sponge, I hope to soak every lesson in, letting it drip onto the pages of my masterpiece.

As a result of this new adventure, there may be a slight change in my daily blog posts. Pouring my devotional energies into marketable pieces seems like the next right step. Getting as many eyes as possible to land on the lessons that have been so dear to my heart. I have been commissioned, not to stay in a comfortable box of text - but to go.

I want to invite you along this new journey, one that has me shaking in my shoes. Writing a book means putting yourself out there - many first time writers attribute it to having a new baby. As the wave of morning sickness begin, a twinkle hits my eye with thoughts of seeing God's finished product. One, ten, twenty years ... however long it takes, I am committed to the process.

May God bless you in your own storytelling adventure. As Christians we all have something amazing to share about what God has done.

How will you get your story out?

Meltdown

Woe to you, O Jerusalem! How long will you be unclean?" - Jeremiah 13:27

The Stanislaus County Fair provided me with the wonders and excitement of so many things yesterday ... farm life, blinking lights, people watching opportunities, the glory of a Newsboys concert and one unforgettable hot fudge sundae.

It was about fifteen minutes before the concert was going to start. So, with my money burning a hole in my pocket, I headed for the ice cream stand. It was easy to find even through swarms of people, for I had marked it in my mind hours earlier.

As I stood in line, the choices before me were baffling. A frozen banana, a cheesecake dipped in chocolate sprinkled with nuts, a plain vanilla cone ... or a hot fudge sundae. What to do?

Like a little girl in a candy store (or a big girl at an ice cream stand), I placed my order and stepped to the side while it was being processed.

What happened next, sent me on a ride I will not soon forget. Even before the lady handed me the masterpiece, my glorious hot fudge sundae had started to melt. But with eyes as big as saucers, I was not about to give up on my new cherry-topped friend.

A couple of steps through the crowd, and I knew I was in a world of trouble. The three napkins given couldn't even keep the sticky mess from running down my hand. Too much ice cream, fudge, whipped cream and nuts were crammed into a small Styrofoam cup. Long and careful strides back to my seat would not reverse this madness.

By the time I arrived, my entire hand was covered in glop. Streams of mess ran continuously down my arm, catching the attention of everybody around me. I was stunned - I did not know what to do. So, after a feeble attempt at tidying things up, I did what anybody else would have done ... I dug in.

There are so many times in my life when I think I am making a good choice about something. All of the warning signs are there and my conscience begins melting, leaving an undeniable mess. But do I throw the idea out? Not always. Sometimes, I am bent and determined on making it work - even after God has encouraged me to start cleaning up the mess.

Is there something specific God is asking you to discard my friend? It could be an old pattern of thinking, maybe a hard habit or a dangerous relationship. You can trust God to make things right again - but you've got to let got of what the gloppy mess promised in the first place.

It was a lie.

God is in the business of making all things clean and new. Toss that sticky mirage ... and never settle for less than God's best.

Penny Pinch

I have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, saying, "What have I done?" Each pursues his own course like a horse charging into battle. - Jeremiah 8:6

At ten minutes till noon, I grabbed my items and headed toward the check-out counter. I would be meeting Mark for lunch in ten minutes. So, using my time wisely, I decided to pick up a birthday present in 9.4 minutes.

Gift found ... check. 99 cent birthday card chosen ... check. Large bow to rest on top of the package ... check. Being sensitive to the other people around me ... nowhere to be found.

I remember seeing that there was only one person in line, giving me the extra push I needed to accelerate. Dodging the end display of cosmetics, racing past the magazine aisle, pushing forward toward the conveyor belt, I ignored the blur of folks heading in the same direction.

I cut them off at the pass.

Placing my items down, and positioning the long plastic separator, I felt a sense of I accomplishment, like I had won or something. But overshadowing the imaginary trophy, I felt a pinch of shame. Was getting in line first really worth looking like an insensitive fool? I guess in the moment, I had not given that any consideration. But now, I felt ashamed to be standing with myself.

The couple that I practically ran over, proceeded to move around me, and headed out the front door. Wow, they were not looking to pay for anything - they just probably wanted to avoid the maniac with the birthday gift!

Then the real pain struck. As my eyes followed my two victims, I saw not strangers, but people I know - from church. Ugh!

There are times when our sin reveals itself in the most unsuspecting places. There I was, minding my own business ... looking to bless both the recipient of the gift and my husband for not being late - and bam! I was hit with realization of my hidden selfishness.

The next day, I ran into the person and her son (not literally this time), and apologized for my actions. She gave me a puzzled look - she didn't even know what I was talking about. I had to chuckle. Maybe God's lesson was for my correction, not to feed my shame. Hmmm ...

I choose to share this tidbit with you today, because it was a memorable snapshot in my walk with the Lord. Dear friend, when your sin hits you upside the head (and if it hasn't yet, don't worry - it will), know that God is close by, ready to tidy up the mess you've made, to receive your apology and to make things right again.

The key? Repent and ask Him to ... He is more than willing.

Painful Tug

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot. - Ecclesiastes 3:1,2

She stands tall, she stands proud. A striking Queen Palm, positioned a little bit too close to our swimming pool (the hot-tub to be exact). Pieces of concrete patio are starting to lift, one sprinkler pipe broken. As much as I cringe with the thought, we simply have to let her go.

My husband and I wrestled with whether or not to save her. But $250 pretty much made the decision for us. Time to get the chainsaw ...

I thought about how God will sometimes have us pull a beautifully planted tree along our spiritual journey, and we find it hard to make any sense out of it. It looks great on the outside, moving gracefully as the wind catches its leaves. Providing shade from the sun and offering a perch for feathered friends. What could be so bad about that?

But oftentimes there are things below the surface, that have potential to cause harm. A tree that provided years of protection will suddenly become dangerous and a detriment to God's pool of Living Water. Is that because the tree has somehow become rotten? No. The tree is still the tree ... but over time it has simply grown too big for the spot in your heart.

What has God asked you to uproot lately? Do you harbor a secret sin? Maybe you find yourself in an unhealthy relationship, and you are starting to see the affects of broken communication. The Lord may be asking you to make a career change - your whole life purpose has taken on a new meaning.

Wherever you are, take heart my friend. If it is time to pull a giant weed in your life, take comfort in knowing that you won't have to pull it alone.

God's Word is full of powerful promises. Take hold of one - and tug.