Mary's Song

This morning the Holy Spirit led me to Luke 1. Not an unlikely Book to go to given the season we're in, but it's been awhile since I've been in the Synoptic Gospels during my quiet time with God.

I find myself struck by Mary and her response to the angel Gabriel. "I am the Lord's servant...May it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1:38)

There's no whining, no unbelief, no "I'm not good enough", no "why me?". Just yes, Lord - I am yours, Lord - I pray it will be so.

I pray that I could be so ready with a resounding "Yes, Lord! I am Your servant, Lord!" when He calls.

And then Mary visits Elizabeth, her cousin who is also with child, and they greet one another and then Mary bursts into song - just like a musical! Okay, she may not have literally sung this psalm, but it is beautiful. What makes it beautiful is that she is all about glorifying the Lord and that the first thing she wants to do when she sees her cousin is to do just that! Not the latest gossip, not the update on how in the world did you get pregnant since you're so advanced in years... It is all about Him. It's all about Him.

When I think about the women God has brought in and out of my life, the friends who are dearest to me are the ones where proclaiming the glory of Christ, singing His praises, sharing about the work God is doing in us is the primary reason for our relationship. Oh, sure, we talk about other things like our children, our relationships, etc. But the primary reason we're even friends is because of Christ. I am grateful for these beautiful women - they minister to me, to my soul in so many ways.

None of us will give birth to the Son of God. Mary alone was chosen to do that. But God has chosen you for something too. He has called you and he has called me to be a part of His Kingdom Cause. He has placed you and me in this day, this time, this place for a specific reason. I pray that we can be Mary's today! Yes, Lord! "May it be to me as you have said." Yes!

I leave you with Mary's song - it is beautiful. The Lord is beautiful. The works of His Hands are beautiful. There is beauty all around - seek it out, find it, it is there!

Luke 1:46-55

And Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."

Side note: The other afternoon I was driving my boys over to a relative's house and my son, Lane, looked out his window and exclaimed, "Mommy! Look at that sunset! God made that for us!" My heart just about burst with joy! The beauty of God's creation stirring the heart of my almost-four-year-old son... He is stirring yours too!

The Oil of Gladness

Thanksgiving... Giving thanks... I love this time of year. The ushering in of crisp, autumn air signals a change - not a new change, but a very familiar and comforting change. The winding down of this year before revving back up for the year to come. One of my favorite movies is "Polly Anna". We can learn a lot from Polly Anna, especially her "Glad Game". It's a great game to play! I encourage you today to play it.

When I think on what I am thankful for, what comes to mind immediately is my relationship with my Lord and Savior. This year, He has broken me and delivered me and given me freedom to rejoice over Him, love Him, worship Him, and testify for Him in a way that is unrecognizable to me. It humbles me greatly that He would choose to spend His time on me.

I am thankful for His Word. God has given me a passion for His Word, the Scriptures. I delight in reading my bible - I yearn for my time with Him to come each day. I am so glad that Jesus answered my prayer for this passion - I asked specifically for a passion for Scripture and He has faithfully given it to me in abundance!!! I am so grateful.

I am thankful for my husband, Travis. It is amazing and thrilling to see how God is developing him! He has Jesus all over him! God is preparing him and growing him and to see my husband pouring over his bible and seeking out godly men for friends and mentors moves me beyond words.

I am thankful for my children, Lane and Landry. Lane is developing his own love relationship with Jesus and it is the most precious thing to witness. There is nothing I want more than for my boys to love Jesus, to pursue Him and seek Him, to worship Him, to honor Him.

I am thankful for my home, my family, my friends.

Thank you, Father, for meeting each and every one of my needs and a lot of my wants! I pray that I manage Your gifts responsibly and that You are glorified in all ways.

I am glad. I pray you are too today!!!

The H Word

I have been experiencing confliction about Halloween this year for the first time ever. The Holy Spirit has prompted me to research, pray and engage other strong believers in a dialogue about this day. I grew up trick-or-treating and it was all about having fun. Nothing ghoulish or scary or evil. And I want that innocent fun for my kids (it's not high on the list of desires for them certainly!). But I just kept thinking, "Is this something that honors God?" So I read, I prayed and I sought counsel from several moms I respect and trust in their relationship with God. And the Holy Spirit brought me to this...

I don't think Jesus would have thrown a Halloween party for sure, but I also don't think He would be inside His house with the front porch light turned off. I think He would be out and about, sharing the glorious news of Him! So our light will be on and we'll hand out candy to the children, along with an invitation to our church. We've also been using this day as an opportunity to discuss sharing and giving with Lane and Landry.

This is what works for our family at this time. Who knows where the Holy Spirit will lead us in the future?! But I earnestly pray that even our fun honors Him and is a light into our dark world. May His Light shine brightly today through all of us who know Him!

I must praise Him!

Psalm 34

I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together.

I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man (woman!) called, and the Lord heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Come, my children, listen to me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry; the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; He protects his bones, not one of them will be broken.

Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems His servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him.


Do you hear it? Do you get it? If you are brokenhearted - cry out to Him, He is close to you! Are you afraid of something / someone / some situation? Cry out to Him, He will deliver you from it. Do you feel ashamed? Cry out to Him, He will not cover your face with it! Do you think you are lacking? Cry out to Him, in Him you lack nothing! Sisters, please don't settle for a mediocre relationship with Jesus - cry out, cry out, cry out. He hears you. He sees you. He loves you. He is close - call to Him!

If you look back several entries ago, you will see I was there, deep in a pit of despair. God delivered me! He pulled me out of the discontentment, discouragement and despair when I cried out to Him. When He knew that I knew that no one else could do it for me - not even myself. Especially not myself.

I must praise Him! My heart, my mouth, my mind cannot cease from doing so. I have never been more in love with Jesus, with my husband and my boys that I am at this moment. God has me overflowing with love. I must praise Him! I must praise Him.

Praise You, my Rock. My Redeemer, may my life glorify You in every way. May I always be radiant from looking to You. You alone are worthy, You alone are good.

I Want You Awake

God has been up to some pretty cool stuff in my life and the Holy Spirit woke me up this morning at 6:25am and said, "I want you awake! It is time to write!". Oh, I love Him so! Stephanie, maybe you helped encourage this with all your "Rise Up" talk yesterday. :) Anyway, He reminded me of something that happened recently that I thought I'd share.

Travis and I went away for a few days - just the two of us - to Las Vegas. Very interesting trip. We enjoyed marveling at the creativity of the different casino resorts - I've never been to Paris or Venice, but the way we humans can replicate things is pretty amazing. That's the trouble with Vegas (well, one of the troubles) - it's all an illusion. Everything is a duplication - a dupe if you will. There is nothing real and nothing is as it seems. Anyway, by Saturday we were so ready to get out of there and get home. Travis and I are in the middle of doing Beth Moore's "Daniel" bible study and how perfect that God would throw a trip for us to the heart of our hedonistic, Babylonian-esque culture while we're studying this man "full of integrity while living an enticing world". Ah, but I digress...

On our arrival back home at DFW airport, we walk out to catch our bus to get to the very-far-off-the-beaten-path parking lot (so we could save $2) and I notice Travis beginning to frantically look for something. I'm wondering, "What in the heck is he doing?" So I ask. He can't find the ticket with the phone number of the very-far-off-the-beaten-path parking lot. Yes, that's right - they don't just drive past every 10 minutes like the others. And we can't remember the name of the lot to even call information. I'm tired, I want to get home to see my babies - and I'm really about to get upset at him. My automatic reaction was to be critical and annoyed so I stopped and prayed. (I've also been studying Colossians with some women at my church and boy, did studying that book come in handy this particular evening!) I prayed, "Lord, I ask that you give me a spirit of helpfulness to Travis. And please send someone to help get us to our car!"

Well, don't you know, two minutes later, a women driving a bus for another lot stopped (we're now the only people waiting in the pickup area and it's 9:30 at night) and asked if we needed a pickup. Travis explained our situation and she said that she knew the name of the company and told us. We were so thankful at this point - hello! That is awesome - we have the name - yea! She began to drive off and then stopped - she opened her door and said that she found their number in her phone and that she used to work for them! Now this is even better! Thank you, Lord, for Your provision!

When our bus arrives, we get in and sit down and I happen to look up front where the driver is sitting and there is a sign next to the door that read: "Your protection is my number one concern: Jesus".

I love Jesus! I love God's sense of humor - hello, that our driver would be named Jesus cracks me up!!!

In all seriousness, I am thankful for this episode. He highlighted to me how I've grown in Him. Sometimes I've asked God to show me the fruit and He did here. I am thankful for His provision - it comes in ways so you know, only He could have done that. Oh, I love Him so!

I praise you today Jesus! May everything I do today glorify and honor You.

A New Creation

Through my despair and discouragement, God has delivered to a place of contentment and peace I have not known for quite some time. Humility - He is cultivating this in me. It's not one of the characteristics of Christ that I was eager to transform in myself - that of becoming humble. But that is the road I've been on the last few months and so here I am. The beginnings of being humble and bare.

Over the last week or so, I have been reading Romans at the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Here are some scriptures that have ministered to me from the first 8 chapters - may they minister to you in some way today.

Romans 4:17
...He (Abraham) is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed - the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

That last line blows my mind - "calls things that are not as though they were". God sees something in us that we cannot see. Some gift, some ability, some way of being that only He can see. Because He calls it out of us - as if it exists right now, but yet it doesn't. For it to come to life is a process. All the circumstances we deal with are God's way of drawing this out in us so that we can serve and glorify Him. Amazing....

Romas 4:20-21
Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

I have come to this realization. It's nothing I've come up with on my own as I have heard it lots of times before, but I guess it's finally sinking in. When I am struggling with anything - whatever it is - I should consider it a struggle with unbelief. At the heart of most of my struggles is unbelief that God is who He says He is and that He has POWER to DO what He has PROMISED. I hate to admit it - I honestly thought I "had this one handled". But how many times have I tried to handle it on my own instead of turning it over to Jesus? Thank you for forgiving me, Lord.

Romans 8: 17-19
Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.

Lord, may I reveal Your glory!!! Do this work in me so that I, your daughter, reveal YOU!

Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Can I get an AMEN? That is some of the most awe-inspiring scripture ever!

On Guard

I have been so discouraged lately. My life has become so mundane and I have had a horrible attitude. A complaining clod of ailments and such. So what does God do? He delivers one of those "ouch" messages that seemed to be just for me at church on Sunday. I was so far gone in believing the devil's lies that I couldn't even recognize it for what it was - a lie. One of the first weapons in satan's arsenal is discouragement. Duh! That is how clever and subtle he can be when you're not paying attention. When you're not on guard. He also sent His people, my sisters in Christ to wake me up - to say "Hey, God has plans for you and this is part of it." This is your life right now because this is a season of training you, growing you for some purpose of His. I praise You, Lord for getting my attention and getting my focus back on You. For giving me joy even when everyday life isn't that fun. And thank you to Stephanie and my mom for obeying the Holy Spirit's prompting to reach out to me with Scripture and encouraging words. Mom, I am putting on the armor of God. Love to you both.

Boys

Here are some recent snapshots of my boys, Lane & Landry. They are so much fun! God has blessed me with two very sweet, smart little guys. Enjoy!

Though it tarries, I am waiting...

I want to share about several insights I've had in recent weeks - some key "a-ha" moments. I love "a-ha" moments - I delight in them, I praise God for them. I just have no words right now to describe the work the Holy Spirit is doing with me. Joy, covenant marriage, and discerning the voice of God - these are the areas of my life where God has been at work. Ministering to me, rebuking me, challenging me, calling me forward and reminding me of all that's wonderful around me. So instead of my words, I'll use His. These are my "life verses" at the moment, I pray they minister to you today.

Isaiah 50:4-5
The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back.

Jeremiah 33:3
Call to me and I will tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Habakkuk 2:1, 3
I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what He will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

Gifts

My son's first birthday was on Sunday. What a wonderful celebration we had, with family and friends joining us. Landry's first experience with cake was a sight to behold! Green frosting and vanilla cake was everywhere!!! This boy is such a joy - he has a delightful spirit about him. He sqeals with happiness at the simplest of things - a goofy face, being outside, riding in the red wagon.

I am so honored to be a mom. So many times we allow ourselves to get beaten down with this most awesome responsibility - parenthood - and lose sight of the gift that it is. God has given us His children to raise - they are not ours. What a privilege this is, what a blessing. That God would trust US with this job - the most important job we will ever hold - blows my mind. He equips me daily - I need to remember that on those difficult days when my three year old is throwing a fit because he wants Spiderman fruit snacks for breakfast or when my one year old cries because I take away some newfound discovery, like nail polish for instance.

Thank you, Father, for allowing me to be a mother to these two boys: Lane and Landry. They light up my life in a way I never dreamed possible. Thank you for my husband - watching him be a daddy brings me such great joy. I love you for bringing these three to me. I did not deserve these gifts and yet you gave them to me anyway. Abba, I thank you.

From the lips of children and infants

Last Saturday my sister delivered a beautiful baby girl at 33 weeks. I had the privilege of being there - witnessing the birth of this precious soul. At 33 weeks gestation, the main concern is lung development. We had been told by the nurse that if Savannah cried that would be a great sign of her condition. Well, when she let out that newborn wail, we all burst into tears!

That morning I had read a friend's blog about her husband reading Psalm 8 over her as she labored in the birth of her daughter.
Verse 2 says:
"From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger."

The sound of a baby crying takes on a whole new meaning, doesn't it? Our almighty God is evoking their sounds to PRAISE HIM. My study bible notes say: "The mighty God, whose glory is displayed across the face of the heavens, appoints (and evokes) the praise of little children to silence the dark powers arrayed against him."

What a mighty Word! When I read that I began sobbing. My son, each time we sit down to eat a meal, sings a delightful song to our Lord Jesus. His singing of this song has become so meaningful to me. God has appointed my children to praise Him. He has appointed me and you to praise Him. He is worthy of it.

Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus.
For our food, for our food.
Thank you for our daddies, thank you for our mommies.
We love you. We love you.

I'm Running

Charlie Hall's "Marvelous Light" is my theme song at the moment. I love it! I turn it up really loud when I'm in the car by myself, which isn't often, but my spirit lifts and my smile widens as soon as the song begins. May it nourish your thirsty soul as it does mine...

Into marvelous light I'm running
Out of darkness, out of shame
By the cross, You are the Truth
You are the Life, You are the Way

Blessing

Today I heard a Word! We are "blessed to be a blessing". If you've ever wondered why you've been given much, you now have the answer. God has given each one of us talents and gifts. Why? To honor Him by serving others. To bless others. So many of us withhold our gifts and talents and use excuses like, "I don't have time" or "I don't have enough money" or "my job is so demanding, I just don't have the energy" or "my kids keep me so busy". Don't get all confused and irate on me now. Obviously, our children and their extracurricular endeavors are very important as is our job. But should they be used as an excuse for not contributing to others? For not serving and giving in your local church? No, it is a cop out. Carve out the time to share your gifts and talents, include your children. You never know how God will use you and what opportunities you miss because of your holding back and waiting for the right time or the right outfit or the right bonus. You are blessed to be a blessing. Go bless somebody!

First Time

Well....

This is day one - my first time "blogging". What a world we live in. Whoever thought one day anyone anywhere could be a published writer of sorts?

My friend, Stephanie, said that at 29 she thought she would expedite the process of becoming "terribly interesting". That the French say that a woman becomes interesting at age 38. I like that. I think I'd like to be terribly interesting as well. Since I only have three years left to accomplish this, I better begin now. So here goes...