Tag: faith

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Generations

A great leader leads his family first.  My grandfather was that type of man. He was not someone who you would notice in a crowd or ask to lead a company.  No, he was not one to be in the spotlight.  But the thing he understood was the value of those around him.

This year marks 20 years since he has passed.  It is fitting – and no way ironic – that the vision for my church home is Generational Blessings.  My life has been blessed because it was set on a foundation that Milburn Brook Gann built.

It was never the big things that I remember fondly – it was the small things.  For instance, how he planted a yellow rose bush – because I have blond hair – and, every time it bloomed, he’d bring me a rose.  Or just sitting and listening to me talk as a very young child – hanging on every word.  In those seemingly small acts, he taught me my value.

He was a man of character – a man who loved God.  He set the standard for us who came after him.

So, you may be asking why do I decide to write to you about this person?  Is it to brag on him a little?  Partly, yes it is – because he deserves it.  But it is also to outline the responsibility we all play to those around us.  As my church leadership speaks on the importance of setting a great example for the next generation – I cannot think of a better example in my personal life.

To make an impact on the generations around me – I don’t need to be a successful business person or a person of great wealth.  I just need to let those around me know how valuable they are.  This could be in sincerely listening to people when they talk or tiny, yet meaningful acts of kindness or just spending quality time with someone who may need it.  It doesn’t take much to impact the world.  It just takes true effort.

I encourage you to watch your actions and understand the impact they have on others.  If small acts of kindness can make a positive act on someone that lasts a generation – so can small acts of carelessness.

Be blessed, everyone.

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The Gift Of A Lifetime


Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. “Why is the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!” Then Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground before the whole community of Israel. Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! And if the LORD is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. Do not rebel against the LORD, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the LORD is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” (‭Numbers‬ ‭14‬:‭1-9‬ NLT)

How many times have we done what the Israelites did in the passage above – doubt God & trust our understanding? Probably too many to count…at least it is that way for me.

One thing I have learned, though, is that most times when things look impossible, a miracle is just around the corner. If only the Israelites had trusted God, they wouldn’t have wondered the wilderness for a generation.

God likes to blow our minds – he likes to take situations that surely could not work out, even in the most positive of logics, and make everything work out for our good!

Take a look also at the gift of a child as the savior of the world. Isn’t it impossible to think that human kind can be reconciled with the Almighty by a lowly baby born in a stable? It is impossible without the help of faith.

No matter your situation, remember that God, our Abba, has it all worked out. He knows how impossible it seems to us, but He is in control…and nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 19:26).

Ponder with me how absolutely amazing the gift of Baby Jesus was to this world. How a baby, helpless and new, would one day be hung on a cross for all our sins and change the world forever.

Thank you Abba, for loving us that much. It is impossible for our minds to truly comprehend how magnificent this gift is.

Be blessed and Merry Christmas!

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Faith!

This is probably my favorite time of year. Gifts, Christmas music, generosity, neighbor loving neighbor, family, and holiday food. It all just makes me so happy – but there is so much more to this time of year. We need not get fully caught up in the fun in order to ponder what Christ’s birth truly means to us.

The Christmas story is filled with acts of faith – especially the faith of Mary and Joseph. (See Luke 1for Mary, story & Matthew 1for Joseph’s). For each to just believe God & trust Him that no harm will come to them in taking these steps – Mary, allowing herself to become pregnant before marriage & Joseph that it was safe to take a wife that is already pregnant – is true faith of you understand that culture at the time of Jesus’ birth.

Taking that step, knowing that it could cost them their life is a a true example of pure faith in God. Sexual immorality was not tolerated and, even though we know that things were done correctly & in purity, those looking outside in wouldn’t see it that way.

Would you do that for God? Would you willingly step into a situation knowing that you would be shunned for a period of time? Would you be willing to throw your reputation out the window in order for God’s will & purpose to reign?

I don’t know if God would ever ask you to do something like this, but we should be willing. We need to be sold out to God & do what we need to do to bring glory to His name at all cost.

This is an area I continue to ask God to help me with. I want my life to be lived for Him.

Be blessed.

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#Change

There is a common constant on all our lives – change. One thing we all can agree on is: Change. Is. Hard. We want to be comfortable…in a place where we can predict what is going to happen next. In a perfect world, there would be nothing wrong with this because there would be no need for change. Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world – a world that desperately needs change.

God loves change – transformation. He loves to take people who are living in bondage & free them, thus bringing them in a state of transformation. Look at Paul, born Saul who was transformed one day as he traveled. (Acts 9:1-18) This man killed Jesus’ followers & then God decided to transform him into the first Evangelist – traveling the known world preaching about Christ.

The Bible is filled with stories like this. It is evident that God uses change for His glory. As a follower of Christ, I will bet that you have either endured change, are going through change right now, or about to endure it. You understand that it is hard. I can also bet that at some point in your life, you have fought change.

Change is needed in this world in so many areas. We have become complacent where we are until we are pushed beyond our limits. Chaos, then, ensues. This is not a good system to live by.

What if we decided today that we are going to become comfortable with change? What if we decide that we will make the change in our lives before we expect anyone else to make the change? What if we realize that change starts with us?

I encourage you to seek the face of God today – let Him show you the things in your life that need to be changed. As you take that Cross and bear it, the catalyst of your change will start changing those around you. Remember, you must be the change you wish to see in the world.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ NLT)

Be blessed.

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Our refuge

To those who feel that they are forgotten, unseen, worthless, or downtrodden – these ideas do not come from God. It comes from the enemy – a being who knows all too well how valuable you are.

Lord, for those who are reading this and felt like they are among those who I have described above, please show them your unfailing love today – show them how valuable they truly are.

The LORD is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. The one thing I ask of the LORD — the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the LORD with music. Hear me as I pray, O LORD. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “ LORD, I am coming.” Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation! Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close. Teach me how to live, O LORD. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. (‭Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭1-14‬ NLT)

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The hazard of juggling

I have had seasons of my life where I had a lot on my plate.  It is a part of my personality to do things.  If someone isn’t doing something and I see that it needs to be done, often I will try to make sure it is covered – most of the time taking on the tasks myself.  This is a trait that I am proud of, but it is also a trait that gets me in trouble.

I have just left a season of my life where I had way too much up in the air and trying to juggle it all.  Eventually, I found myself lying on my back with everything falling down around me.  It got to be too much.  The sad part was that I knew it was too much, but I had an issue with giving something up.

Being needed made me feel so good.  Doing things made me feel like I was needed – like I made a difference.  I wanted to have a place in this world.  Now, as I pick up the pieces of the mess I made when taking on too much, I see that I do not need to do all things to be important or special.  I was made important and special before I was put in my mother’s womb.  This is a fact for us all.  As you read this, know that you were made important and special the moment you were first thought of – not by your parents, but by the Creator of the Universe.

Let’s look at two different scriptures:  Exodus 18:13-23 –

 The next day Moses sat to judge the people. And the people stood around Moses from morning until evening.  When Moses’ father-in-law saw all he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you do for the people? Why do you sit alone and judge and all the people stand around you from morning until evening?”  Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to learn God’s will.  When they argue, they come to me. And I judge between a man and his neighbor. I teach them the Laws of God.”  Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will become tired and weak. For the work is too much for you. You cannot do it alone.  Now listen to me. I will tell you what you should do, and God be with you. You speak for the people before God. Bring the troubles to God. Then teach them the Laws. Make them know the way they must walk and the work they must do. Also, you should choose from the people able men who fear God, men of truth who hate to get things by doing wrong. Have these men rule over the people, as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. Let them judge the people at all times. Have all the big troubles brought to you. But have them judge the small troubles. So it will be easier for you. They will share the work with you.  If you do this and God tells you to do it, then you will be able to keep your strength. And all these people will go to their place in peace.”

and Psalm 139:13-14

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful,  I know that full well.

In Exodus, Moses is trying to juggle leading the Israelites all on his own.  It would eventually become too much and the system would crumble.  Jethro, his father-in-law and leader in his own right, saw the potential for disaster and decided to give him some advise.  I know that we do not all have that kind of authority in our own life, but we can take this lesson and apply it to our lives.  We can admit that we need people around us to help us with things.  We need to know our limitations.  We need to know that our worth is not found in doing things, but in who our Creator made us to be.

In the Psalm, David is explaining how God sees us no matter where we are (these scriptures are not included) and He will always be there.  Why, because we are His creation and we are created to be loved by Him (see verse 17 of the Psalm).  You don’t need to put yourself in harms way to prove your worth to people.  All you need to do is be you.  That is enough.  You are enough.

Be Blessed.

Juggling

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Through the fire

In grade school, I remember watching a movie about nature. In that movie, it showed an entire forest burning. As we watched trees that stood as tall as buildings fall, the narrator described how fire – death – creates new life. The ashes of those before actually fertilize the ground so new things can thrive. Old things must pass away for fresh, new things to start growing. Through this fire, the forest life will actually be stronger.

Spiritually, this happens, too. We all go through the fire. There are seasons where it seems like everything that we hold dear is taken from us. It is scary and makes no sense. But there is great purpose in these seasons.

Take a look at these two scriptures:

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭2‬ NLT)

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2-4‬ NLT)

God is with us, even in the fire. He is refining us so that, in our next season, we will be ready for the new things that are He is going to bless is with. Never get discouraged when trials come – great things are always around the corner. Keep your faith strong & never give up.

Be blesse

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