I love this quote from the book my Sunday School class is studying: " God refines your dreams." As you live your adventure, what are some of your dreams? Perhaps you have lost sight of a dream you had earlier in life. Maybe you thought it was too big and just gave up. I know I have missed out on opportunities the Lord gave me because I thought I was surely the wrong person or would fail if I even tried. Obviously I had forgotten that the Lord equips those whom He calls.
Thank God that He refines my dreams! Do you know what it means? It's so exciting! By definition, to refine is to "remove the unwanted substance (impurities) in something." Well, I guess now is a good time to admit that I have had dreams in the past that certainly had unwanted substances in them. Pride, for one. Have you ever, like me, wanted to do something, claiming it was for the Lord, but really, secretly, you were anxious for the kudos that you would get from it? Friend, that's when the dream turned into a nightmare. My own selfish ambitions and quest for glory took over and marred what God had planned. Instead of hearing, "Well done, my good and faithful servant," it was more like, "I'm God. I will fix this mess you made." Ugh. It's shameful to have to admit.
Another definition for refine is "to improve by making small changes." I love that! Each day God makes small changes in me and my dreams. I have an obligation, though, to seek Him each day. I must spend time reading His Word and praying. I have to actively interact with my God and have a real relationship with Him. I can't just sit around and wait. Isn't it encouraging to know that His mercies are new every morning? The Bible says, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23. Those shameful events and attempts I have made do not consume me. He is full of compassion and showers new mercy on me with each beautiful dawn of a new day.
I suppose you can tell that this chapter of this book has made an impact on my life. Another quote, "God multiplies what He assigns," gives me momentum to get up and get busy. I have dreams bigger than my head! Dreams I surely didn't come up with on my own. Yes, there are times when I try to tell the Lord He has the wrong girl. He, however, gently nudges me onward and assures me I am His choice. You know what? When I get going with the thing He has laid before me, it is so easy, even when it's hard! When I focus on Him and do what He has given me a desire for, I am more than eager for the glory to go to Him. When I let Him lead the way, I don't have nightmares, but beautiful revelations and glimpses of heaven. I can't wait for Him to give me more!
What about you, my friend? Has God given you a dream of adventure with Him? Why don't you step out and do it? I know, I know. It's easy for me to say, right? No. I am going to be very honest with you. When the Lord gave me the idea for this blog, I quickly let Him know that He was crazy, but the idea wouldn't go away. Timidly I stepped out and began to write. I love to write. It was always a favorite subject in school. Writing for the world to read was another story altogether. But God. I asked, and he gave me quick and clear confirmation that this was His idea, not mine. I get such joy from writing. However, when I start to think about another post, I can easily convince myself that there is nothing I could write that anyone would want to read. And then I am amazed and astonished at the encouragement I get back from my friends who do read. Thank you. Thank you for encouraging me to do what God has called me to do.
What is that idea that gets you so excited? That passion God has placed in your heart? What is it that you think God must be crazy to ask you to do? How can I encourage you in your adventure?
Monday, February 23, 2015
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Yeah, baby!
A few years ago my husband and I came across a unique individual. It happened at Riverbend the night Foreigner was there. We were looking forward to a night of good music and reminiscing. But this guy was excited. I mean REALLY excited. He lives in another state, but comes to Chattanooga every year since he found out about Riverbend. He loves the concerts. He has a lot of fun. I know. I've watched him.
This guy really gets into the mood of the night. He dances and laughs and talks with anyone who stops long enough to listen. He gets lost in the moment and doesn't worry about what anyone else is thinking.
The first night I saw him he was on the phone with someone. That's how I learned so much about him. He has family here and happened to be in town one year during the first part of June. After that he came back yearly. He was telling the person on the other end of the phone where he was and why, how much he enjoyed the event, and that he makes it a point to be in town for the week every year. And, apparently, he was a huge fan of Foreigner. He did it all loudly, not caring if anyone else listened or not. They were playing music over the speakers and getting the crowd pumped up before the main event. He got so caught up in the thrill of it all that when a certain song started playing he just yelled out, hands in the air, "Foreigner, baby!!!" Only it wasn't. At the moment is was Journey. He didn't care.
We laughed and watched him more than we watched the concert. He was quite entertaining. We've been close to him in subsequent years and watched him enjoy every concert we have shared with equal abandon.
Today I was thinking about him. His enthusiasm. It got me thinking...So I looked up synonyms for enthusiasm. Here are some of the words I found.
...devotion, eagerness, joyfulness, fanaticism, spirit, passion...
What if? What if I spoke to people about Jesus with as much devotion as my Riverbend friend did to his friends about Foreigner? What if I was as eager to tell people about what the blood of Christ has done for me as to tell them I am at a concert? What if I was as joyful about my walk with the Lord as I was to stand around with thousands of strangers to listen to some guy sing? What if I was full of spirit and passion to read my Bible and pray as I was to endure the heat, the crowd, and the drunks? What if I was a Jesus fanatic?
What if?
This guy really gets into the mood of the night. He dances and laughs and talks with anyone who stops long enough to listen. He gets lost in the moment and doesn't worry about what anyone else is thinking.
The first night I saw him he was on the phone with someone. That's how I learned so much about him. He has family here and happened to be in town one year during the first part of June. After that he came back yearly. He was telling the person on the other end of the phone where he was and why, how much he enjoyed the event, and that he makes it a point to be in town for the week every year. And, apparently, he was a huge fan of Foreigner. He did it all loudly, not caring if anyone else listened or not. They were playing music over the speakers and getting the crowd pumped up before the main event. He got so caught up in the thrill of it all that when a certain song started playing he just yelled out, hands in the air, "Foreigner, baby!!!" Only it wasn't. At the moment is was Journey. He didn't care.
We laughed and watched him more than we watched the concert. He was quite entertaining. We've been close to him in subsequent years and watched him enjoy every concert we have shared with equal abandon.
Today I was thinking about him. His enthusiasm. It got me thinking...So I looked up synonyms for enthusiasm. Here are some of the words I found.
...devotion, eagerness, joyfulness, fanaticism, spirit, passion...
What if? What if I spoke to people about Jesus with as much devotion as my Riverbend friend did to his friends about Foreigner? What if I was as eager to tell people about what the blood of Christ has done for me as to tell them I am at a concert? What if I was as joyful about my walk with the Lord as I was to stand around with thousands of strangers to listen to some guy sing? What if I was full of spirit and passion to read my Bible and pray as I was to endure the heat, the crowd, and the drunks? What if I was a Jesus fanatic?
What if?
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Do I Praise Him in the Storm?
That Casting Crowns song has been going over and over in my mind lately. Actually, just one phrase: "And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands for you are who you are." It's been appropriate for so many things that have been happening. It's so easy to praise God when things are smooth and moving along nicely, like sitting beside a peaceful creek on a summer day. I've learned a lot about praising Him in the storm, when the rains have been so heavy that the peaceful creek has become a raging, angry river.
Last week we got a call from the doctor to come in and discuss my mom's CT scan. It was a routine scan; there was no reason to expect further problems after her cancer almost three years ago. The scan was on Tuesday, they called on Wednesday, and we were to see the doctor on Thursday. I was really planning on this being a year of bliss and relaxation...the opposite of last year. Now this.
I sat convicted as the Lord asked me a most personal question, "Will you praise me in this storm?" The lines of the song began to play in my head. So I did. I praised him. Looking for the silver lining I leaned over to my mom as we waited and said, "Well, if you have to have chemo at least we already know everybody at Memorial."
The doc walked in the door of the room and apologized for alarming us. He doesn't believe there is anything to worry about. Showing us the films, he pointed to where there was supposed to be something. It wasn't there. There was no discoloration. The area was bright white (a good thing). I admit, I was relieved there was no major storm.
Still the song replayed in my mind and in my heart. God, what is it? What are you wanting from me? What do you want me to do? So, I am writing to tell you. To testify and praise His name. I've been through some other uncomfortable storms lately. I've been hurt. I've been tested and tried. I've been challenged for what I believe. I've been trying do follow the Lord, and sometimes it isn't easy. And the question comes again, "Will you praise me in this storm?"
In my Sunday School class we are studying a book that I find revolutionary. The title is Your Beautiful Purpose by Susie Larson. It truly is changing the way I look at myself, the way I see God's hand in my life, and my desire to be on adventure with him. In the book Susie tells a story about when her young son asked her why, if Satan doesn't know the future, does he know just when to attack us. She says that she prayed for wisdom and gave him an answer. She told him the story of Elisha and said Satan must see God sending the armies of heaven behind us and know that something big is about to happen so he turns his focus to us. The vision of horses and chariots of fire behind me as I step out to obey the Lord is powerful.
I was just searching my Bible for verses to share with you and found this verse and this note I had made. The verse is 2 Chronicles 20:12, "For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you." This is the note I made: 6-15-14 - No power to face cancer but my eyes are on Jesus! That was fifteen days before my last chemo treatment. Almost six months into my battle. Oh, but the 15th verse of that chapter says this, "...Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's...do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you."
Being on adventure with God is exciting, but it scares me to death. I don't want to be confronted about my faith. I'm afraid I won't have the right answers. You know, book, chapter, verse quotes. I'm not a good memorizer. Someone might disagree with me. Hilarious, really, that I worry about that because in the world we live in it is an absolute truth. If that happens, would I praise Him in that storm?
Can I be really honest with you? I think when the storms come it is a sign that we are doing something right. After all, why would Satan waste his fiery arrows in my direction if I am a safe place for him? By that I mean, if I am stagnant, going with the flow, nonthreatening to his mission, why bother fighting against me? I want to be the gal who has the horses and chariots of fire mounted behind her, ready to go into battle for the Lord. That also means that I would be the gal who gets Satan's attention and attack. I am ready to speak up, ready to write, ready to teach what I am learning. I believe I have a beautiful purpose. I believe you do too. We certainly do not have the power to face the vast army that is attacking us. And it's only getting worse. Living for Christ will become dangerous in not too many more days. I plan to keep my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of my faith, remembering this isn't about me. It's about a battle much bigger and more important than my fears, feelings, or failures.
Let's move out, remembering the battle is not ours, and as we move out to fight, the Lord will be with us. The song goes on later in the verse to say, "No matter where I am....you've never left my side." Doesn't that make you want to shout?!!! Sometimes the storm may get fierce, but God is there, going before, standing behind, and always by your side. Will you praise Him in the storm?
Here's a link to the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5bLvVjJ4MA
Last week we got a call from the doctor to come in and discuss my mom's CT scan. It was a routine scan; there was no reason to expect further problems after her cancer almost three years ago. The scan was on Tuesday, they called on Wednesday, and we were to see the doctor on Thursday. I was really planning on this being a year of bliss and relaxation...the opposite of last year. Now this.
I sat convicted as the Lord asked me a most personal question, "Will you praise me in this storm?" The lines of the song began to play in my head. So I did. I praised him. Looking for the silver lining I leaned over to my mom as we waited and said, "Well, if you have to have chemo at least we already know everybody at Memorial."
The doc walked in the door of the room and apologized for alarming us. He doesn't believe there is anything to worry about. Showing us the films, he pointed to where there was supposed to be something. It wasn't there. There was no discoloration. The area was bright white (a good thing). I admit, I was relieved there was no major storm.
Still the song replayed in my mind and in my heart. God, what is it? What are you wanting from me? What do you want me to do? So, I am writing to tell you. To testify and praise His name. I've been through some other uncomfortable storms lately. I've been hurt. I've been tested and tried. I've been challenged for what I believe. I've been trying do follow the Lord, and sometimes it isn't easy. And the question comes again, "Will you praise me in this storm?"
In my Sunday School class we are studying a book that I find revolutionary. The title is Your Beautiful Purpose by Susie Larson. It truly is changing the way I look at myself, the way I see God's hand in my life, and my desire to be on adventure with him. In the book Susie tells a story about when her young son asked her why, if Satan doesn't know the future, does he know just when to attack us. She says that she prayed for wisdom and gave him an answer. She told him the story of Elisha and said Satan must see God sending the armies of heaven behind us and know that something big is about to happen so he turns his focus to us. The vision of horses and chariots of fire behind me as I step out to obey the Lord is powerful.
I was just searching my Bible for verses to share with you and found this verse and this note I had made. The verse is 2 Chronicles 20:12, "For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you." This is the note I made: 6-15-14 - No power to face cancer but my eyes are on Jesus! That was fifteen days before my last chemo treatment. Almost six months into my battle. Oh, but the 15th verse of that chapter says this, "...Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's...do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you."
Being on adventure with God is exciting, but it scares me to death. I don't want to be confronted about my faith. I'm afraid I won't have the right answers. You know, book, chapter, verse quotes. I'm not a good memorizer. Someone might disagree with me. Hilarious, really, that I worry about that because in the world we live in it is an absolute truth. If that happens, would I praise Him in that storm?
Can I be really honest with you? I think when the storms come it is a sign that we are doing something right. After all, why would Satan waste his fiery arrows in my direction if I am a safe place for him? By that I mean, if I am stagnant, going with the flow, nonthreatening to his mission, why bother fighting against me? I want to be the gal who has the horses and chariots of fire mounted behind her, ready to go into battle for the Lord. That also means that I would be the gal who gets Satan's attention and attack. I am ready to speak up, ready to write, ready to teach what I am learning. I believe I have a beautiful purpose. I believe you do too. We certainly do not have the power to face the vast army that is attacking us. And it's only getting worse. Living for Christ will become dangerous in not too many more days. I plan to keep my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of my faith, remembering this isn't about me. It's about a battle much bigger and more important than my fears, feelings, or failures.
Let's move out, remembering the battle is not ours, and as we move out to fight, the Lord will be with us. The song goes on later in the verse to say, "No matter where I am....you've never left my side." Doesn't that make you want to shout?!!! Sometimes the storm may get fierce, but God is there, going before, standing behind, and always by your side. Will you praise Him in the storm?
Here's a link to the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5bLvVjJ4MA
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