Tuesday, 18 December 2018
WORTH FIGHTING FOR
Have you wondered why you weren't worth fighting for?
Have you ever been talking to a friend who asked you why they weren't worth fighting for?
Wondered if you had just said one more thing, did one more thing than someone would have fought harder, or longer for you?
Have you sat with a best friend, or a child, a sister or a brother, a niece or a nephew who asked you what they could have done different so their spouse would have fought harder, longer, stronger, more fiercely for their love?
I have.
I've been in just about every one of those scenarios.
I struggled for many years of wondering why I wasn't worth fight through heaven and hell for. Why he gave up so easily.
Maybe he didn't.
Maybe I didn't see the weeks, months, maybe even years when he was fighting for me and I didn't even realize it
Or maybe he did give up without a fight.
I've heard of two miraculous stories that God is still writing, where through fervent prayer and persistence, and never giving up, God is in the process of restoring marriages.
But what about the countless marriages that were prayed over and one of the spouses was persistent as all get-up to save the marriage, and it still ended in divorce.
Did God ignore the prayers of His saints?
Is prayer not enough? Doesn't God give us the desires of our heart? At least if our desires are pure and righteous?
I don't know all the answers, I wish I did. But I know this, I AM WORTH FIGHTING FOR.
God sent His only Son to this earth to fight for us. For you and for me.
He didn't give up when sin entered the world and we were separated from Him for eternity because of that sin. Instead, He sent his sinless and pure Son, Jesus Christ, to the earth as an atonement for our sins. He FOUGHT for US!
I don't know the demons someone else is facing. I don't know why there are some who didn't take their vows seriously when they said until death do them part, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad times, for richer or for poorer. I don't know why.
But I've finally accepted, without a shadow of a doubt, that I am totally and completely worth fighting for.
What lies are swirling around in your head that are convincing you that you aren't worth fighting for? Maybe it's a parent that abandoned you at a young age. Maybe it's a broken marriage, a strained sibling relationship. Perhaps it's a best friend that betrayed you.
Whatever it is, whomever it is, I want you to go to a mirror and look at the reflection you see and say to yourself "I'm worth fighting for." Then tomorrow, I want you to get up and look in the mirror and tell yourself "I'm worth fighting for." Each morning I want you to repeat that until you no longer have to convince yourself but you know it in your spirit.
It may take you 2 days, it may take 2 months. It may feel stupid or cheesy. You may feel like it's the stupidest thing you have ever done, but trust me, one day you're going to look back on those mirror "talks" and remember the day that you didn't have to convince yourself anymore, you knew it deep down in your gut.
I feel like every once in a while I have a relapse. I hear of someone that never gave up, never quit, never stopped fighting and God honored that dedication and committment and I wonder why not me.
But you know what, the moment those words leave my lips or enter my mind...I'm reminded of the manger and the cross and that I am worth fighting for.
If you're struggling with not feeling worthy enough to fight for, know I'm praying for you. I may not know your name or your particular situation, but I'm praying for you nonetheless. If you want someone to pray for you specifically, for your specific need, feel free to shoot me a PM or a text.
I know God can restore and renew. But he can also make new! Your story isn't over. A chapter may be over. The first book in a series may be complete but God's not finished writing your story. He's got so much more for you so don't live in the pages of a chapter already been published. Begin on the journey of your next volume and trust God with blissful anticipation for what He has in store for the next adventure.
Above all, when you don't know how you're going to get through, remember...God's Got This!
Monday, 17 December 2018
Breaks My Heart
What breaks your heart?
I’ve thought about this question a lot throughout my life, starting about the age of 12. I knew there was a stirring in my soul but I didn’t quite understand it. Why was I drawn to serving others? Was it just part of my stubborn personality or my independent spirit? My deep need to not let someone else take care of me because there were so many people truly in need all around me? After all, I was born able-bodied with all my limbs, my five senses, the crazy ability to run a 10k with no training, and the gift to make homemade Mac n Cheese better than my momma.
I remember when my cousin met Mother Theresa - I was beyond jealous. There wasn't even a word for how desperately I had wished it was me who had met her. We were not raised Catholic and I had never stepped foot in a Catholic church that I could remember. So why was I so drawn to this older lady that wore a covering over her head and lived in another country? Was it part of God’s stirring?
I don't know the exact age that I first heard about children being sold, sometimes by their own parents, into a life of slavery. Slavery comes in many forms and sometimes the first time someone is sold into slavery is immediately after they are born. They truly know no other life than that where they are a slave to someone you and I would think were our mother and/or father. I wept at this news. I knew I needed to do something about it. I knew God was calling me to something greater than myself, something greater than anything I could comprehend. But I had no idea what that meant.
What breaks my heart? There are over 14 million slaves in the world TODAY! Not 1,000 years ago, not 100 years ago...TODAY! FOURTEEN MILLION. That's more people than the entire population of the country in which I am currently living. Think about that for a second
As life is passing me by much quicker than I was prepared for...I'm really praying about how I can make a difference in this world. How I can leave my mark, far after I am gone. Not a big mark, actually....more a dent. And God keeps calling me back to that story of slavery I heard one Sunday night, listening to a missionary in church.
What breaks your heart? What keeps coming to the forefront of your thoughts when you realize there is an aching in your heart that you can't quite figure out? What makes you weep when you hear stories?
This Christmas, during the hustle and bustle, consider for a moment what is stirring in your spirit. It's not the amount of ham or turkey you ate during Christmas dinner. It's not the mulled wine or the gingerbread cookies or the fruitcake Aunt Beatrice brought over.
That stirring in your heart is calling you to ACTION. Right now that may just be praying for your next move, your next step. Or it may be something more drastic. Whatever it is...don't ignore it.
Maybe what breaks your heart is the homeless guy on the street corner as you get on the freeway every morning. Maybe it's the single mom you see faithfully every Sunday, bringing her little ones to children's church in hand-me-down clothes.
Maybe it's the wayword dogs in your neighborhood that need a good home.
Maybe it's that family down the street, whose car breaks down with 5 kids in the back seat.
Or maybe it's the sweet face of a little boy playing in the dirt with cars made out of rocks because he has no toy trucks.
Whatever it is, whatever breaks your heart - I want you to ask yourself this question - SO WHAT?
What does that mean to you?
I don't know about you but I have been blessed beyond measure. Completely undeserved and unmerited but I am blessed. I may not have a lot of money but I'm blessed in so many other ways. God has blessed each and everyone of us in one way or another. Some of us in tangible ways, others non-tangible ways, but nonetheless we are blessed. So take that blessing now and bless others.
Friends, we were made for so much more. God has called us to be His hands and His feet to a world that may only see Jesus through us. How are you going to show God's love. Are you going to turn around and walk away because you are scared, or are you going take that small boy playing in the dirt a toy car? Would you consider giving that homeless man a breakfast sandwich?, or buying a car battery for that station wagon on the corner with the 5 kids inside? Will you be Jesus, today?
I encourage you to write down or tell someone what breaks your heart. Then, decide today your SO WHAT and take that first step of faith.
Let me leave you with the words of Mother Theresa:
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."
"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."
"Peace begins with a smile."
I’ve thought about this question a lot throughout my life, starting about the age of 12. I knew there was a stirring in my soul but I didn’t quite understand it. Why was I drawn to serving others? Was it just part of my stubborn personality or my independent spirit? My deep need to not let someone else take care of me because there were so many people truly in need all around me? After all, I was born able-bodied with all my limbs, my five senses, the crazy ability to run a 10k with no training, and the gift to make homemade Mac n Cheese better than my momma.
I remember when my cousin met Mother Theresa - I was beyond jealous. There wasn't even a word for how desperately I had wished it was me who had met her. We were not raised Catholic and I had never stepped foot in a Catholic church that I could remember. So why was I so drawn to this older lady that wore a covering over her head and lived in another country? Was it part of God’s stirring?
I don't know the exact age that I first heard about children being sold, sometimes by their own parents, into a life of slavery. Slavery comes in many forms and sometimes the first time someone is sold into slavery is immediately after they are born. They truly know no other life than that where they are a slave to someone you and I would think were our mother and/or father. I wept at this news. I knew I needed to do something about it. I knew God was calling me to something greater than myself, something greater than anything I could comprehend. But I had no idea what that meant.
What breaks my heart? There are over 14 million slaves in the world TODAY! Not 1,000 years ago, not 100 years ago...TODAY! FOURTEEN MILLION. That's more people than the entire population of the country in which I am currently living. Think about that for a second
As life is passing me by much quicker than I was prepared for...I'm really praying about how I can make a difference in this world. How I can leave my mark, far after I am gone. Not a big mark, actually....more a dent. And God keeps calling me back to that story of slavery I heard one Sunday night, listening to a missionary in church.
What breaks your heart? What keeps coming to the forefront of your thoughts when you realize there is an aching in your heart that you can't quite figure out? What makes you weep when you hear stories?
This Christmas, during the hustle and bustle, consider for a moment what is stirring in your spirit. It's not the amount of ham or turkey you ate during Christmas dinner. It's not the mulled wine or the gingerbread cookies or the fruitcake Aunt Beatrice brought over.
That stirring in your heart is calling you to ACTION. Right now that may just be praying for your next move, your next step. Or it may be something more drastic. Whatever it is...don't ignore it.
Maybe what breaks your heart is the homeless guy on the street corner as you get on the freeway every morning. Maybe it's the single mom you see faithfully every Sunday, bringing her little ones to children's church in hand-me-down clothes.
Maybe it's the wayword dogs in your neighborhood that need a good home.
Maybe it's that family down the street, whose car breaks down with 5 kids in the back seat.
Or maybe it's the sweet face of a little boy playing in the dirt with cars made out of rocks because he has no toy trucks.
Whatever it is, whatever breaks your heart - I want you to ask yourself this question - SO WHAT?
What does that mean to you?
I don't know about you but I have been blessed beyond measure. Completely undeserved and unmerited but I am blessed. I may not have a lot of money but I'm blessed in so many other ways. God has blessed each and everyone of us in one way or another. Some of us in tangible ways, others non-tangible ways, but nonetheless we are blessed. So take that blessing now and bless others.
Friends, we were made for so much more. God has called us to be His hands and His feet to a world that may only see Jesus through us. How are you going to show God's love. Are you going to turn around and walk away because you are scared, or are you going take that small boy playing in the dirt a toy car? Would you consider giving that homeless man a breakfast sandwich?, or buying a car battery for that station wagon on the corner with the 5 kids inside? Will you be Jesus, today?
I encourage you to write down or tell someone what breaks your heart. Then, decide today your SO WHAT and take that first step of faith.
Let me leave you with the words of Mother Theresa:
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."
"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."
"Peace begins with a smile."
Saturday, 8 December 2018
Eulogy - What Will Be Said of You?
Millions of people tuned in to President George H.W. Bush's funeral this past week. There were some phenomenal eulogies for our 41st president, all of which focused on his love of God, family and country.
Jim Baker, President Bush's Chief of Staff and Secretary of State said, "My friends, we're here today in the house of the Lord to say goodbye to a man of great faith and great integrity."
His son, President George W. Bush said, "Dad was always busy - a man in constant motion - but never too busy to share his love of life with those around him."
"Dad could relate to people from all walks of life. He was an empathetic man. He valued character over pedigree. And he was no cynic. He looked for the good in each person - and usually found it.
Dad taught us that public service is noble and necessary; that one can serve with integrity and hold true to the important values, like faith and family. He strongly believed that it was important to give back to the community and country in which one lived. He recognized that serving others enriched the giver's soul. To us, his was the brightest of a thousand points of light.
In victory, he shared credit. When he lost, he shouldered the blame. He accepted that failure is part of living a full life, but taught us never to be defined by failure. He showed us how setbacks can strengthen."
Presidential historian Jon Meacham said, "His tongue may have run amok at moments, but his heart was steadfast. His life code, as he said, was tell the truth, don't blame people. Be strong, do your best, try hard, forgive, stay the course."
A great woman of the faith passed away in 2015, Elisabeth Elliot. Steve Saint, whose father was killed alongside Elisabeth Elliott's first husband Jim Elliott in the jungles of South America, eulogized her with these words, ""I'm very sure she would not want to be remembered as a great writer, as a great speaker. She would want to be remembered as a girl, a woman who trusted God to use her and he did, powerfully."
What will people to say during your memorial service? In the halls of your office? At your local grocery store? What will neighbor say? At the Dr.'s office?
Oddly enough, I've thought about this a lot. Maybe because I have seen a little more death in my mere 40 years on earth than some. Maybe because I've sat among complete strangers and talked to them about the life and impact their loved one had one not just me, but an entire nation. Or maybe it's because I've grieved alongside a traumatized momma as she'd laid her 15 year old only child in the ground and wondered what her purpose was in her short life.
The good news for you - there is still time. How you treat people, how you convey compassion, or don't. How you love others, or don't. How you forgive others, or don't. How you are loyal, honest, trustworthy, kind, or not is what will be remembered long after your gone.
One thing I heard over and over again from people speaking of our 41st President was that people mattered to him. All people. We heard over and over again about times he would ask how someones sick child was doing. He reached across party lines. When friends told him they were voting for Reagan instead of him, he didn't turn his back on them, he embraced them. Sometimes it's as simple as that.
There are two things I want to leave you with today:
CAVU - Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited. President Bush had this plaque placed on the side of his property in Maine. I don't know the exact reason he had the plaque resurrected there, but you know what I think of when I hear this? The sky's not the limit...visibility is unlimited. Take advantage of unlimited visibility and leave your mark. When visibility starts to drop, slow down a little but don't give up. The clearing will come in the morning and it will be prime-time to get back at it. Nothing is holding you back, except you. Go for it! What do you have to lose?
And finally, there was a moving tribute played/sang by Michael W. Smith. Now, I live overseas and I don't always see social media and hype about things. Imagine my surprise as I am balling through the most amazing memorial service and I hear the prelude to a song that sounds familiar and then...MICHAEL W. SMITH's voice singing "Friends". The very same song I sang as a duet with a dear childhood friend shortly after the death of another very good church friend. Talk about streams of tears.
President George H.W. Bush was 94 years old when he passed away. I'm more than half his age, yet that song rang true to him and his circle as much as it rings true to me and my circle.
"Friends are friends forever, if the Lord's the lord of them.
And a friend will not say never, cause the welcome will not end.
Though it's hard to let you go, in the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long, to live as friends."
What will be said of you?
Jim Baker, President Bush's Chief of Staff and Secretary of State said, "My friends, we're here today in the house of the Lord to say goodbye to a man of great faith and great integrity."
His son, President George W. Bush said, "Dad was always busy - a man in constant motion - but never too busy to share his love of life with those around him."
"Dad could relate to people from all walks of life. He was an empathetic man. He valued character over pedigree. And he was no cynic. He looked for the good in each person - and usually found it.
Dad taught us that public service is noble and necessary; that one can serve with integrity and hold true to the important values, like faith and family. He strongly believed that it was important to give back to the community and country in which one lived. He recognized that serving others enriched the giver's soul. To us, his was the brightest of a thousand points of light.
In victory, he shared credit. When he lost, he shouldered the blame. He accepted that failure is part of living a full life, but taught us never to be defined by failure. He showed us how setbacks can strengthen."
Presidential historian Jon Meacham said, "His tongue may have run amok at moments, but his heart was steadfast. His life code, as he said, was tell the truth, don't blame people. Be strong, do your best, try hard, forgive, stay the course."
A great woman of the faith passed away in 2015, Elisabeth Elliot. Steve Saint, whose father was killed alongside Elisabeth Elliott's first husband Jim Elliott in the jungles of South America, eulogized her with these words, ""I'm very sure she would not want to be remembered as a great writer, as a great speaker. She would want to be remembered as a girl, a woman who trusted God to use her and he did, powerfully."
What will people to say during your memorial service? In the halls of your office? At your local grocery store? What will neighbor say? At the Dr.'s office?
Oddly enough, I've thought about this a lot. Maybe because I have seen a little more death in my mere 40 years on earth than some. Maybe because I've sat among complete strangers and talked to them about the life and impact their loved one had one not just me, but an entire nation. Or maybe it's because I've grieved alongside a traumatized momma as she'd laid her 15 year old only child in the ground and wondered what her purpose was in her short life.
The good news for you - there is still time. How you treat people, how you convey compassion, or don't. How you love others, or don't. How you forgive others, or don't. How you are loyal, honest, trustworthy, kind, or not is what will be remembered long after your gone.
One thing I heard over and over again from people speaking of our 41st President was that people mattered to him. All people. We heard over and over again about times he would ask how someones sick child was doing. He reached across party lines. When friends told him they were voting for Reagan instead of him, he didn't turn his back on them, he embraced them. Sometimes it's as simple as that.
There are two things I want to leave you with today:
CAVU - Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited. President Bush had this plaque placed on the side of his property in Maine. I don't know the exact reason he had the plaque resurrected there, but you know what I think of when I hear this? The sky's not the limit...visibility is unlimited. Take advantage of unlimited visibility and leave your mark. When visibility starts to drop, slow down a little but don't give up. The clearing will come in the morning and it will be prime-time to get back at it. Nothing is holding you back, except you. Go for it! What do you have to lose?
And finally, there was a moving tribute played/sang by Michael W. Smith. Now, I live overseas and I don't always see social media and hype about things. Imagine my surprise as I am balling through the most amazing memorial service and I hear the prelude to a song that sounds familiar and then...MICHAEL W. SMITH's voice singing "Friends". The very same song I sang as a duet with a dear childhood friend shortly after the death of another very good church friend. Talk about streams of tears.
President George H.W. Bush was 94 years old when he passed away. I'm more than half his age, yet that song rang true to him and his circle as much as it rings true to me and my circle.
"Friends are friends forever, if the Lord's the lord of them.
And a friend will not say never, cause the welcome will not end.
Though it's hard to let you go, in the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long, to live as friends."
What will be said of you?
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