Finally!

I have been locked out of my account for a year. Well at least I thought I was! It was simply simple to get back in to the system. I never even tried before today. Isn't it funny how we build things up as an impossibility and then when actually faced with the task, it is actually not nearly as hard as we have imagined it might be. This is true so often in my life. I stress and worry and whine and dread and then ... Viola.., I am there, standing dreadingly in the face of this insurmountable monster feeling sure I might die at any moment, but no...the monster is not a monster at all and in fact it's more like a stuffed animal than the wildly beast I previously imagined. God is so awesome like that! Well, here's to a new year of happy blogging!

Truth

This morning a facebook friend of mine posted John 8:32 and then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.
I love this verse and use it often, but I think I have used it out of context. It has been used as lines in movies and tv shows in the wrong way. You see, our word cannot free anything or anyone, but I know someone's word who can. In verse 31, the Bible says that Jesus said to the Judeans who had believed in Him, "If you continue to follow my teaching, you are really my disciples, and then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." Wow what a radical difference it makes when you put it all together. That scripture is not about us telling the truth to anyone. Shut up! It is about discovering the truth by following Jesus' teaching...wonder wherever could I find that... Oh yeah! In God's Word! If we study His Word then there will be no confusion about what truth is and that my friend is the kind of truth that sets you free!! Woohoo! I'm shouting... are you? What an awesome God we serve that His very Word is powerful enough to free us! Hmmm I wonder what you need freed from today. Are you angry with someone? Are you lying to someone? Are you coveting something? Are you drinking to much? Are you addicted to drugs? Are you having an affair? Whatever sin we are stuck in can be forgiven and His Word can be our freedom!
WOW! What a mighty God we serve!
Much Love!

Be careful little ears...

When I was younger, I remember a song O be careful little eyes. I loved that song and thought it was so much fun to sing. As I continue to age, I realize how much truth is in this song and lately have an increasing urge to sing it to our young people. There is so much deception in our world today. Don't think it all looks like the devil! Oh no dear ones, the devil can use things that sound good to lead you astray. The obvious sex, drugs and rock and roll are easy to spot bad guys, but there are other bad guys that they themselves do not know that they are bad guys. Satan is the great deceiver and believe this... he knows the scripture like the back of his hand! He can take a verse and use it out of context to lead you astray. That is why it is SO important for you to study God's word for yourself and not rely on someone else studying it for you. My first line in most of my teachings is look it up, check out what I teach and if it doesn't line up call me on it. This practice should apply to everyone that teaches the Bible. We are human. We make mistakes. The slightest slip of our tongue can lead others astray. It is why the Lord says that He will hold us accountable for what we teach.
There are many charismatic and feel good teachers more than willing to tickle your ears with exciting and sweet words. They tell you what you want to hear or what they think sounds good. Check them out. See if their word truly lines up with God's word and if it doesn't then stop listening to them! If you really believe they are men or women of God, take time to correct them in love. A true word from the Lord can be sweet and exciting of its own merit and not being sensationalized by man.

Guys, doctrine is simply teachings or beliefs and religion is a body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs. That is not from the devil!It can be perverted by man, but in and of itself is not wrong. You have a doctrine and religion even if you don't go to church or you go to a different church. Legalism is from the devil. Perverting God's Word is from the devil, but if you don't have beliefs and adhere to them then, as Bro. David said about his glasses, you are as lost as a ball in high weeds! Your doctrine needs to be based solely on the Bible and your religion needs to be serving God! If we were more religious about serving God through serving others, this world would be a much different place.
Just be careful little eyes what you see and be careful little ears what you hear. Mama always said that the devil will feed you a little lie with a lot of truth. Beware of the little lies mixed with truth...
Much Love!

Ministry

Many churches have a "ministry" type day. It may be visitation or a soup kitchen or AWANA's or Celebrate Recovery, but they all have a day. The intent to have an organized day is noble indeed, but I am afraid it is falling short of what our churches really need to be doing.
The mass majority of our members at any given church on any given Sunday(or Saturday) at any given denomination show up, critique the service and return home without affect. They don't change their lifestyle, make a sacrifice, or get out of their comfort zone in any imaginable way except maybe our organized day. You know, they volunteer at the soup kitchen or maybe teach Sunday School or some other noble attempt at helping others. Then, ignore opportunities to serve the other 6 days of the week.
Brennan Manning said(and DC TALK borrowed), "The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips then walk out the door and deny Him with their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world finds simply unbelievable." I have to agree with Manning. How can we speak of His amazing love and then have none for our coworkers? How can we speak of His compassion and forgiveness and show none for those around us? How can we speak of His service and do none? If we are true followers of Christ, we must then strive to become more Christ-like! We must show love, have compassion and forgive freely and most of all serve others.
Oh we are so going to mess up! I do everyday, but the goal is to STRIVE to be more like Christ. Ask Him to let you see people the way He sees them. He will give you that ability in order for you to serve others.
My point is that ministry should not be compartmentalized into one day. It should be a way of life. Those organized days that churches set up are intended to help you make a habit of ministry not to be your only time of ministry. Ministry needs to happen every single day of the week. It needs to be part of our very being to want to serve others in whatever capacity the Lord has gifted us. Go! Go to your visitation night! Volunteer at the soup kitchen! Please volunteer in whatever capacity your church offers THEN use the skills you learn in the organized ministry to help you serve others every single day of your life. Begin looking for ways to use those skills. Ask the Lord to reveal to you the people that you can minister to and in what capacity. Ministry is not about traveling to Indonesia or Africa or Japan to rebuild a city or take a Bible where it has never been before... its about looking at your fellow man, seeing a need that you can meet and simply meeting it. Sometimes that does mean you travel to Africa or Indonesia or Japan, but sometimes it means that you walk over to the cubicle next to you at work.
One of my favorite scriptures is Matthew 25: 35-40... nope, not going to give it to you... look it up... while you are at it go ahead and read 31-46.
MUCH LOVE!!!

I'm thankful

I got up this morning with my back hurting, but I am so thankful that I can feel pain and walk upright. There was an onion smell in my kitchen, but I am so thankful that I could afford to buy groceries. My day is going to be so busy running from my Dad's side of the family to my mom's, but I am so thankful that I have two families to eat with today. My husband was grumpy this morning when I woke him up, but I am so thankful he is home this year and with couples all around us splitting up I am thankful we are not! My van is in need of an oil change, the back doors have to be locked by hand, one of the back doors sticks and it needs to be cleaned, but I am so thankful that I have transportation. My carpet needs replacing, but I am so thankful for my comfortable home. I was cold, but I have warm fuzzy socks and a comfy hoodie with soft sweat pants. I am so thankful.
It is so easy to get caught up in the negatives of the day and to look at the glass half empty, but if you are reading this I can assume several things about the many blessings in your life.
My heart and prayers go out to those that can't read this today. The ones that aren't quite sure where there extended families are today. The ones that don't have a home. The ones that are cold with no relief in sight. The ones that are hungry and any meal would be welcome and thanksgiving meals are just a dream. they live in our community. They are right around the corner. They are tired and need hope. Look for them and you will find them.
My brother carries the little throw blankets in the back of his car ready to give them to someone that is cold. He knows where the free meals are offered in his community, so he can take them to get food or at least tell them the times and locations.
We must be prepared to help others. If someone in need stopped you right now, could you help them? Do you have any cash in your purse? Do you know where the meals are served in your community and what times? Do you have an extra blanket in your trunk? Do you even know where the local Salvation Army is located?
Go and be thankful for today and God's many blessings in your life! Look to where you can share those blessings. God will put them in your path!
We have so much to be thankful for and so many wonderful things in our lives. Don't let anything get in the way of seeing God's blessings in your life!
Happy Turkey Day!
Much Love,
Christie

The Plant in my Day

I try to smile at everyone. I figure it is a small gesture that will go along way. When possible, I always try to ask how are you today just to let them know that someone really wants to know. Everyone always responds the same way to that question... they are always good or fine or great! (I know they are a bunch of liars, but that is another topic for another day) Well yesterday was different. Everyday at school I go through the lunch line like everyone else. I always say, "Hey, how are you today?" to whichever lady is there. I say, "thank you" when they hand me my tray and go on about my day.
One thing I have learned through my years of teaching is that you can tick off the principal and be better off than if you make the custodian, cafeteria workers or secretary mad! So I am always nice. It is a genuine nice. I am not doing it for those reasons. I want to be nice to everyone. Make their day a little brighter. Makes me feel good about being kind.
Ok back to the story! So there is one little lady that I almost look for everyday. She is soft spoken. She has kind eyes and always smiles back at me. She is African American, a little shorter than me, maybe a little older and packs a wisdom like you wouldn't believe. Yesterday, I was having a bad day personally. The school day was good, but I was sad. I was so excited to see my favorite cafeteria worker right as I walked in the door. As soon as she asked me if I was eating today, I smiled and said yes. I asked her how she was doing and her response blew me away. She said I'm good. Then she studied my face for a minute as I smiled at her. She then began to speak words that are still ringing in my ear this morning. She said, "you have Jesus in your heart. I knew it the first day I saw you. Not everybody around here do. You can tell by the way they act. I'm a child of God too and I know. The Bible says you better be kind to those children of God. Not everybody is you know. ewww they best not mess with a child of God! You understand what I am saying? The Lord has us planted everywhere in different parts for a purpose and I believe that." I was grinning from ear to ear. Did she really just say that she saw Jesus in me the FIRST time she saw me?! Oh, Lord let it be true! I loved her addition, too... letting me know that those that mess with a child of God will regret it! I began to tell her how she absolutely made my day! That was the best compliment I ever receive! I also nodded in agreement with her about the whole don't mess with God's children idea. As she walked away I told her that I loved her wisdom. She smiled and I smiled back. But the thing that stung in my spirit was her words about purpose. My prayer today is that God use me for His purpose and glory every where I go!
The Lord planted her in my day to speak wisdom, truth and life into my sad spirit! Look for your plant today. Not plant like a green one, but like someone who has been put there for a purpose!

Time to slow down...

I have been so busy the past two weeks that I did not even realize that it is summer "break". I have gotten up every morning, got ready, and hit the road. I have had so much to do. It crossed my mind Friday that I needed to slow, but I quickly dismissed it. There was still so much to do. Saturday I woke up feeling a little run down. It would have been nice to rest, but it was my brother's birthday and there were plans and things to do. So I trudged on. Sunday I felt even worse, but there was no way I could rest. By Monday I realized that I was sick and I went to the doctor. After 3 hours of waiting, xrays and tests he said go home and rest. I did not have time for that. Could he not give me a shot and send me on my merry way? So I left and thought,"why did he give me a antibiotic if nothing is really wrong?" I got up Tuesday and went harder today than any other. I had planned to rest, but then the phone rang four times in a row. People needing me to do this or that... and of course I said yes to them all. I felt terrible, but I knew I HAD to do all of the things on my list. Around 5pm, I stopped by my Granny's to see how Michaela and Harlee were doing (they were spending the night with Granny). My phone rang again. I didn't recognize the number, but something told me to answer it. It was my doctor. He said that my chest xray showed pneumonia and that I needed to rest. The words rang in my ears like a shot gun. If I had only slowed down and listened to that still small voice, perhaps I would not be here right now. Perhaps I would not have pneumonia. Even as I type I am coughing uncontrollably waiting on my hubby to get my cough meds. The Lord tried to get me to rest. He tried to whisper in my spirit that I was going to much, but in an act of inadvertent rebellion I trudged on. Why does God have to knock my feet out from under me in order for me to listen? Well guess what... today I am resting. I studying for my Sunday school lesson and my test Saturday and taking naps in between.
The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Ex 33:14