Beauty

This is a link to an incredible song - straight from the Word. Close your eyes and be ministered to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzmP7IZgaUM# (use this to copy/paste)

Lindsey Kane - "Measure of Beauty"

Bringing a Receipt...

Working in retail, you really get to know that return policies can either make or break the customer experience. Most places won’t even talk to you without a receipt, that little piece of paper you stuffed in your pocket as you walked to the car. Well, here you are, standing at the return desk with that item you just couldn’t use or one that just won’t fit…what you need is the receipt. That little slip of paper you probably left in your jeans and washed this morning. Of course, that little piece of paper is now the most important item of the hour. It doesn’t matter that you brought receipts from lunch or from last week, or that you are really nice to the employees there…nothing else will work – you need that receipt! It’s comedic really; you knew when you got it, that it probably would be important sometime in the future. Yet, here you are standing in front of the return desk and you don’t have the one thing you need. You have to leave.

Wow, I’m sure as silly as that sounds, many can relate to that situation. I laugh at that one, but am saddened by another. What about when you think about that little prayer we said? When we asked Jesus into our lives as Savior and King, believing we are here to serve Him alone…what about that?

It’s so simple really to be a Christian, “if you believe with your heart and confess with you mouth that Jesus Christ is King, you will be saved.” (Rom 10:9) So you go on to live a “good” life and love people and all of that…

What next? Are you going to be OK standing behind a friend in line at Heaven’s gate, to see her turned away because she didn’t bring her receipt? How passionate are we about this charge to “go out and make disciples of all nations?”

This has to be a daily commitment and reminder to myself. “I’m not that bold!,” I say to the Lord. Then the Lord says to me, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” (Ex 4:11) What convicting words! I can only imagine what Moses was thinking, about to talk to Pharaoh. Here I am, worried about talking to my beautiful friends who look like they’ve got it all together or to my dad, who is very much against anything “religious”. It’s remarkable to think that regardless of what we’re involved in or how intense the moments are when we talk about Christ – he gives us this promise:

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Heb 4:15-16)

Oh Lord, I desire to seek your heart and know you more. Father, I pray for opportunities to daily share your word and speak your truths. Please open the hearts of people around me who don’t know you yet Father. Let your words of hope and salvation bring people to their knees to worship you. Father I pray for my father, he doesn’t know you and his heart is cold to you. Please allow your seeds to be planted in his life and in his heart. I so desperately want him to know you Jesus!

Finding Freedom

"The irony of commitment is that it's deeply liberating – in work, in
play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal
critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around
like rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the
barrier to you life. “-- Anne Morris, found on my Starbucks cup

I wondered at this quote for some time. Although it struck me, I just didn’t get it. How could tying yourself to something or someone actually result in freedom? In life I’ve fought the “status quo” – seeking instead my own path or way of doing things. In marriage I’ve struggled with seeing my husband as an opponent rather than a teammate. I know the Lord has purpose for this strong, independent woman he’s created – it’s all about finding the freedom in Him.

Paul writes in Ephesians, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free...” (Eph 5:1) Wow, so here He’s promising us freedom in Him. I don’t have to fight battles alone – even the internal ones! “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt 11:29) It really is that easy; I can just say “Ok Lord, this battle is yours.” You’ve created me as this strong, independent woman for a purpose. It is possible for you to work in me!

Paul writes that “you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ…” (1 Cor. 6:11) What honest and humbling words! I am so unworthy, yet have been made worthy through his death on the cross. I am free.

He goes on to write in Galatians 5, “Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” And with that I continue to go forward. It’s the Lord’s charge to us, to daily take on his yoke and his word, to be made free in him.

Name Your MOST Embarrassing Moment

Okay girls--I double dog dare you to tell us about your most embarrassing moment. For me, there are numerous ones and I'm guessing that's the case for you too. At least, I hope so!

Here's one: One Saturday, I had to rush out and do some errands and most of my pants were in the wash, so I grabbed a pair of old capris I hadn't worn in a couple of years--which turned out to be a bad idea.

I rushed out the house and noticed that people were treating me weird everywhere I went. The way they were gawking at me was so rude--it infuriated me. Finally, I scrapped the rest of my errands and returned home. I couldn't wait to tell my husband all about it, but as soon as I started talking, even he started staring! Even in my own home!

Just as I was about the read him his rights, he pointed to my pants and asked me if I felt a draft. When I looked down I gasped. The inseam of the pants had completely ripped apart, revealing part of my underwear! AGH! I wanted to scream! I had walked around all day with the inseam of my pants ripped open. No wonder people were looking at me. I would have done the same if I'd seen some strange woman walking around with a big gaping rip in the inseam of her pants.

I still blush when I think about it--and believe me, I try NOT to think about it much.

NOW, let's hear your stories! I CAN'T WAIT!