The Defining Language

They say that the third time is the charm.
Twice I have started this post, twice I deleted it. It is as though I just can't seem to get out what I've been thinking. The right words just wont come...........

I guess I'll start with what has been running through my mind. I have been convicted about words. The words that I say, don't say, and even the words I think (you know those conversations you have in your mind with people you are upset with). Words define who you are. They inform the onlooker what is in  your heart. I have begun to wonder what my words say about me.........

I am from the west, and since I do not like the southern accent, I still sound like a westerner (except for the occasional 'ya'll'). In fact to me it doesnt even sound like I have an accent. But people can tell I am not from NC. Why? Because I don't talk like one. Fancy that!

When I go up to DC everyone can tell I grew up country and lived in a 'white' family (whom I adore, mind you). They can tell because I talk like it. My accent defines me.

Here in the south there are many variations of the southern accent. The upper class accent, the middle class accent, the redneck accent, and the black community has their own accent as well. Their accents define who they are/were, and they tell their history.

The same thing goes for the very words that I speak. They tell you a story. They tell you all about what kind of a woman I am.

The Bible says that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." And I believe that is very true. You are what you do or do not say.

Words not only define who I am, but they define the people I come in contact with. My words impact them for forever. My words can be the rudder on their ship that turns it right or wrong. It is my choice.

It is up to me to decide how my words will be used. For good? Or for evil? Will my words impact someone for good? Or not? I get to make that choice.

I also get to decide just how my words are going to define me as a follower of Jesus Christ! And I get to decide how my words are going to represent Christ to someone who's faith has failed.

They say that we are God's hands and feet, but we are also His mouth peice!

The tongue is the instrument that can change the world for either good or bad! And it's up to us.

Choose Praise find Freedom

"Choose praise, find freedom in Christ." That was the LBS theme this year and it really spoke to my heart.

This past week I heard so many stories of redemption, restoration and the romancing of Jesus. I heard about hard times, pain filled times and heartache. I also heard about forgiveness, healing and new life.

"Life is just hard, so get used to it." is something I heard so often growing up. But its so depressing and void of joy.

Joy? Yes joy. Joy in the sorrow, joy in the pain, joy in rejection, and even joy in the failure. It's there I promise.

I have watched people fall apart when things get tough. I have seen them turn against family, friends, church and even God himself. I see them not so much hurting others as they are themselves.

"Well how else am I supposed to cope when others hurt me?" is probably runnig through your mind. Well here is my theory;

God created each of us for a specific purpose. We each have specific asignments to do. And to do them well, we need to go through some rough waters. We have to learn lessons or deal with issues. Remember, we must go through "boot camp" to be able to accomplish the mission when it comes.

I often think about the fact that without pain there is no growth. Just a stunted midget that cant quite reach the place God has for them.

So instead of sitting around moping and feeling sorry for the hard things in life, let us like Paul & Silas praise God in our circumstances and I can guarantee you the freedom will come, and with that freedom comes the ability to be used by God.

Isn't that just awesome? I love that concept. And trust me, I have wasted too many years doing the very opposite. I've done the whole "poor me" ritual. But I have also seen what happens when I praise God for the tough things.

So praise Him in the pain, the hurt, the failures.....and freedom will come.

Pain is a good thing!

The 3 "Angels From Asheville

  Yesterday I spent the day in Asheville "Choice Booking" with CC. It was fun wearing my Choice Books shirt with my name on it, looking all professional again. Yes I think I miss my old job sometimes. =)

 Anyhow, Asheville is not my favorite city. It seems thatin the areas we go it is often dirty, New Age-ish and the people are often cold, distant and they stare. Not your typical southerners. Also you get this feeling that there are more white supremicists than not.

 Well yesterday my experience was different. It stated out while I was standing in line for coffee at Ingles Starbucks cart. One of the barista's walked up and greeted me with enough cheer for the whole store, and the air of one determind to give you the best service possible. And the coffee was THE best Starbucks drink I have ever had. =)

 The next was this beautiful black girl at another Ingles. She didn't say anything to me in particular, but she was always smiling at the customers and venders she came in contact with. There was something about her that made you feel comfortable. And she thought CC was funny and was laughing at him behind his back, which of course made me laugh as well. =)

 The third, but not least was at yet another Ingles. We had just finished up and I headed to the van ahead of CC with the cart, and this older gentleman came over and offered to help me load it up in the van. He said he didn't want me to have to do it by myself. I smiled and thanked him just as CC came around the van and loaded it himself. You don't find many real gentleman these days, and when you do it is a precious thing.

 Lets just say that after encountering these 3 people, I felt like I could smile all day. These people blessed me so much and made my day brighter, all because they took just a moment to think of someone else. I want to remember that.

Just like I had a bad idea of Asheville because of so many of the people I have come in contact with, I don't want to give people a bad idea of Christ because of how I am to others. I want them to have a good idea of "Asheville" so to speak, because I took time ot of my day to make theirs special.

 Its amazing how far a smile, and a kind word will go to brighten someones day!!!

Why Jesus Asked For the Cup to be Removed

I have been reading the book Radical by David Platt, and this excerpt really hit home with me and changed me entire view of that glorious yet terrible day of Christs execution. I hope it does the same for you too.

 " Our understanding of who God is and who we are drastically affects or understanding of who Christ is and why we need him. For example, if God is only a loving Father who wants to help his people, then we will see Christ as a mere example of that love. We will view the Cross as just a demonstration of God's love in which he allowed Roman soldiers to crucify his Son so that sinful man would know how much he loves us.

   But this picture of Chris and the Cross is woefully inadequate, missing the entire point of the gospel. We are not saved from our sins because Jesus was falsely tried by Jewish and Roman officials and sentenced by Pilate to die. Neither are we saved because Roman persecutors thrust nails into the hands and feet of Christ and hung him on a cross.

   Do we really think that the false judgment of men heaped upon Christ would pay the debt for all humankind's sin? Do we really think that a crown of thorns and whips and nails and a wooden cross and all the other facets of the crucifixion that we glamorize are powerful enough to save us?

   Picture Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. As he kneels before his Father, drops of sweat and blood fall together from his head.Why is he in such agony and pain? The answer is not because he is afraid of crucifixion. He is not trembling because of what the Roman soldiers are about to do to  him.

   Since that day countless men and women in the history of Christianity have died for their faith. some of them were not just hung on crosses; they were burned there. Many of them went to their crosses singing.

   One Christian in India, while being skinned alive, looked at his persecutors and said, "I thank you for this. Tear off my old garment, for I will soon put on Christ's garment of righteousness."

   As he prepared to head to his execution, Christopher Love wrote a note to his wife, saying, "Today they will sever me from my physical head, but they cannot sever me from my spiritual head, Christ." As he walked to his death, his wife applauded while he sang of glory.

   Did these men and women in Christian history have more courage than Christ himself? Why was he trembling in that garden, weeping and full of anguish? we can rest assured that he was not a coward about to face Roman soldiers. Instead he was a Savior about to endure divine wrath.

   Listen to his words: "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me." The "cup" is not a reference to a wooden cross; it is a reference to divine judgment. It is the cup of God's wrath.

   This is what Jesus is recoiling from in the garden. All God's holy wrath and hatred toward sin and sinners, stored up since the beginning of the world, is about to be poured out on him, and he is sweating blood at the thought of it.

    What happened at the Cross was not primarily about nails being thrust into Jesus' hands and feet but about the wrath due your sin and my sin being thrust upon his soul. In that holy moment, all the righteous wrath and justice of God due us came rushing down like a torrent on Christ himself.

                                                     *******************

      This is the Gospel. The just and loving Creator of the universe has looked upon hopelessly sinful people and sent his Son, God in the flesh, to bear his wrath against is on the cross and to show his power over sin in the Resurrection so that all who trust in him will be reconciled to God forever."

    

My Hero Mom's!

Ok so I think today must be; "#thankyourbirthmothers/adoptivemothers" day, and I want to get in on it too!!!!
 Over 23 years ago a young single mom made a very hard decision. Probably the hardest she had ever had to make, and I believe it was the wisest. She chose to give her baby girl what she knew she couldn't, she chose to give her a life that not only provided material stability, but also spiritual. She chose for me to be in a home that taught me about Jesus Christ and all that He did for me, and that brings me to the other ''wise decision!'' My Foster parents. (for real, I have always been a Foster kid lol)
 They were willing to go against the tide of they day do what ever it took to give 4 babies a life they could never have growing up in the environment they were born in. Even despite family discouragements, they raised and loved us as if we were their own biological children, teaching us the important things, along with the crazy things and creating memories that can only come with growing up in the country in the heart of Idaho. And no, we did not grow up on Idaho potatoes, we ate Washington potatoes, they're cheaper.
 Today I want to thank both my moms, first of all my birth mom for choosing to give me life, when it would have been much easier to just snuff it out. But most of all I want to thank my Mom for seeing me as her own baby girl, and pouring her love on me. I don't know where I would be if it wasn't for her. Thank you Mom for all you have done  for me. If I would have had the choice as to who to pick for a Mom, I would definitely pick you! Thank you for being my Mom. You two mom's are my heroes!!!

2012 Has Arrived!

Wow! I cant believe that 2012 has shown its face. 12 years ago on new years eve I remember watching the seconds count down, full of apprehension of what would happen as soon as it struck midnight. Now 12 years later I got to watch another year roll around. Last night it  hit me that I was given a fresh clean slate. Another chance to right the wrongs of yesteryear and and to learn from them. Last year is past and gone, but this year is new. Oh trust me last year is full of so many good memories. So many good times. And I am forever glad I got to live in yesteryear. But like every other human out there, it does hold its negatives.

Last night one of the first songs we sang in the new year went like this; "My heart, my mind my body my soul; I give to you, take control....." That is my prayer for this next year that I and the young people around me will make that our prayer and desire. That this year will be one of change in the world around us, because we stepped out on a limb and took a risk with GOD. I love the fact that we can take those steps of faith because we have a GOD that will never let us fight alone.

I normally do not do New Years Resolutions, but this year I am. I am resolving to take a risk with GOD, and next year when this time rolls around, I want to be able to see ALL the things GOD will be able to do because I got out of the way.
So here's to a new year!!

The Woman-Child

It was just a day like any other. Filled with the normal duties of gathering water, making meals, washing laundry, watching the children, taking care of the animals, and the list could go on and on. But those things weren't even what was important to this young woman child. No the biggest thing coursing through her mind was far from all the day to day normal's. It was filled with anticipation. Could today be the day? The day he arrives to carry her away to their small little home?
 She smiles as she thinks of him, so handsome and gentle, laboring away so hard for her. How did she get such a wonderful man? She knew he left many girls hopes dashed when they became betrothed, and she still cant figure out why he would choose her, a humble young maiden. Something told her that GOD had something big for them, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
 She let out a sigh of relief as she contemplated the joy she received trusting GOD with everything He chose to bring her way whether it be good or bad. Joseph was definitely a good thing. Oh how rewarding trusting GOD was. Her mind wandered many miles away to her cousin Elizabeth. Yes there was a perfect example. It was almost like Abraham, Sarah and Isaac all over again. Elizabeth taught her so much about joyful trust. And the joy she knew Elizabeth was experiencing was hers also.
 And then it happened. That moment that the patriarchs had been writing about and the grandmothers had been hoping for. The very thing that each young Jewish girl hoped would happen to her. That moment that GOD had been planning. The moment the GOD child was announced.
 Fear coursed through her veins. She had never seen an angel, let alone heard one speak before. And the holy, blinding light was almost more then she could handle. She dropped to her knees and bowed her head as he spoke to her. She was shocked when he called her ''Highly favored and blessed among woman''...who was she, a young maiden to be called 'Highly favored'? He continued talking to her, assuring her, and then he said it. He said the words young virgin girls had been longing to hear for centuries. Oh, who is she to bare such a privilege? Who is she, a humble poor handmaiden, to carry the Messiah in her womb?
 Her mind cast back to all those times she had trusted GOD and He had been faithful. And her heart bowed its self low, and willing accepted this glorious gift GOD was bestowing on her. She knew the consequences. She knew that she could be stoned and that Joseph, her dear Joseph would have to divorce her. Oh how she hated to disgrace him. But she knew that GOD would take care of everything, and that whatever He did was right and good. She knew that somehow GOD would  take care of her.
 A few months passed and it was time to tell Joseph. He took the news better then she thought he would, but oh how painful it was watching her words crush him. He didn't understand nor did he believe her. But then again, why should he? Her story was common among many secretly promiscuous woman. And he had no reason to believe otherwise. Knowing that he was going to divorce her broke her heart, but again she knew that GOD was in control. She knew that GOD would make it known to him, and he did. Joy filled her heart as she saw yet again what trust in GOD can accomplish.
 All of these things she hid in her womanly heart. Somewhere she had crossed over from girl to woman. And soon she would become mother. Mother to the GOD child. The GOD child that came swift and quick. The GOD child no one but animals had room for. But far out on the rolling hills tending their flocks, another marvelous thing happened. GOD announced the arrival of His Son to the humblest of the humble.The story these humble Shepherds told, the mother hid in her heart, keeping them as precious gems.
 Joy filled her heart as she gazed at the GOD baby. And she wondered how come GOD chose her, a humble girl. And she knew that this child would somehow save the world. Not with pomp and glory, but with humility and pain.
 And so she watched and waited................................................................