Come and Dine

This post is written in honor and memory of my grandmother. 🧡

Thanksgiving can be weird. I think we all have a picture in our heads of what a perfect Thanksgiving should be. But often it's not that perfect day, it's more a holiday filled with anxiety and stress. If you're not the one waking up at 5 AM to start cooking, you're the one forced to akwardly reconnect with distant cousins and explain to your old relatives what you're doing with your life. We have to suppress our religious beliefs and political views for a whole day to keep the peace with family who seem more like strangers from a strange land. But I encourage you to try and make the best of it. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. If we stay close to Him, even the most difficult situations in life get a little easier.  I thought this Charles Spurgeon devotion might help us all keep the right attitude...

"'Come and dine' gives us a vision of union with Jesus,  because the only food we can feast on when we dine with Jesus is Himself. Oh, what union this is! It is also an invitation to enjoy fellowship with the saints.  Christians may differ on a variety of points,  but they all have one spiritual appetite.  If we cannot feel alike,  we can all feed alike on the Bread of Life sent down from heaven.  At the table of fellowship with Jesus,  we are one bread and one cup. As the loving cup goes around,  we pledge our love and unity to one another heartily.  Get nearer to Jesus,  and you will find yourself linked more and more in spirit to all who are like yourself, supported by the same heavenly manna. If we were closer to Jesus,  we would be closer to one another. "

For me though, Thanksgiving really is the best holiday. It can stand alone as a blessed time of gratefulness and fellowship. But it's also the gateway to the Christmas season! I can start listening to Christmas music. I get to see my family.  I get to eat lots of food. Most of us probably think our moms make the best food,  but my mom really does.

Growing up, my family would drive down to my grandmother's for Thanksgiving. I can remember one year dressing up as a pilgrim, sitting in the back of the station wagon, and waving to all the cars on the way down. (I was an "interesting" kid). My grandmother lived in a three room house. Not three bedrooms. Three literal rooms. But that was all she needed. Most of the time. Except on Thanksgiving when everyone she knew came to visit at the same time! It worked though. We sat at folding tables and TV trays. Watched football, Star Wars, or old Western movies. We all took turns standing in front of the gas space heater to keep warm. We ate cornbread dressing, potato salad, sweet potato casserole, and all kinds of pie! I ate until I was miserable.  And just as soon as I was just slightly not in pain anymore,  I would eat more.  I still do that. What would Thanksgiving be if you weren't on the verge of throwing up? I didn't realize it at the time, but now I understand just how special those Thanksgivings were with my grandmother. You don't have to have a picture perfect dining room table with perfect manners and a perfectly roasted turkey to make special memories. Most of the time it's the burnt turkeys, political arguments,  TV trays, the thirty people trying to fit in a three room house, and even the dead deer that your uncle just killed hanging from a tree in the backyard that make the most lasting memories. When will we learn that perfect isn't so perfect?

For a lot of us, Thanksgiving has changed over the years. We have new traditions, bigger families, but also empty chairs where loved ones once were. Life is always changing.  Now I drive my kids down to their grandparents. I don't dress like a pilgrim anymore.  No one goes to my grandmother's little house.  She has Thanksgiving in heaven now.  We all still have fun, but it's just not quite the same. One of my favorite things to think about this time of year is the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. One day we will all be reunited. We will sit down with our Savior and have a feast! I imagine it being like the best Thanksgiving ever!  What could be better than sharing a meal with everyone you love and Jesus?! I like how Maria Woodworth-Etter puts it...

"Oh, what a happy meeting that will be! Whole families and friends will rise up from old churchyards and clasp each other in a long embrace, which will last forever; mothers and children shall meet,  husbands and wives,  brothers and sisters,  friends and neighbors,  pastors and flocks. Those who are alive will be changed in a moment,  set free from the effects of sin, and be clothed with the glory of heaven.  And then we will sit down to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.  Oh, what a company! Oh, what a reunion,  what a gathering that will be, as we look along the table at the bright and shining faces! Friends and families.  Apostles and disciples. Then to behold the dear Savior smiling on His dear children! Dear friends,  will you be there?"

What a beautiful picture of what awaits us one day. If Thanksgiving is a difficult time for you, I pray you can keep this hope in your heart. And remember there is a place for you at Jesus' table. Come and dine and be blessed. 🧡

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.  Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)  Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

Revelation 19:7‭-‬9 

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 6:35 

A Thankful Heart

Those of us who are Millennials have probably been accused at least once of being entitled or ungrateful. And to be honest, we are. Not because we were born a certain year though. But because we are human.  I think it's part of the fallen, sinful nature to be ungrateful. To feel entitled. Selfish and prideful even. We have to learn, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to overcome these things. But it doesn't happen overnight.  I know I've spent most of my life at least somewhat selfish and ungrateful. Sure. I would thank someone here or there. I would thank God in my prayers. I would have moments of sincere gratefulness. But I don't believe I had a thankful heart. And as a parent, I can see that same sinful nature show itself in my kids. Thankfulness doesn't come naturally. It's something you have to learn and teach and practice.

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is of the thankful leper. You can read it for yourself in Luke chapter 17. But I'll give you the gist of it. First, let me remind you of what leprosy is. It's a horrible disease that basically eats away at your body. And at the time, it was feared to be contagious and fatal.  So the unfortunate people who had this disease were separated from their families and forced to live outside the villages as beggars. I can't imagine the misery and loneliness people must have felt while they basically waited to die. So when Jesus stopped to talk to ten of these outcasts and see them as more than their disease, it was a really big deal. And when Jesus sent them to the temple to be declared clean, it was life changing to say the least. Nine of the healed lepers kept running as they saw their sores vanish. Of course.  They were excited.  They had been healed! No longer an untouchable! They wanted to get back to their families. Can you blame them? But one man ran back to thank Jesus. Who in turn, it seems, was touched by this man's thankful heart.

Another thankful person in the Bible was Paul.  We know that David was a man after God's own heart. But I think you could say that Paul was a man with a thankful heart. Paul continually and consistently thanked God and other Christians all throughout His letters. He called himself the worst of all sinners and was fully aware that he had been saved by grace. And not just saved, but also transformed and used powerfully by God. Paul was very thankful.

Something that both the thankful leper and Paul had in common was that they had been saved from much. One saved from a disease of the flesh another a disease of the heart. Both knew they would have died without Jesus, and they were thankful. But aren't we all saved from much? Jesus has saved us all from sin and death. And now we (if we accept it) have undeserved mercy and grace and a promise of eternal life.

Over the past year or two I have been actively trying to be grateful. Making it a part of my life, practicing it, and teaching my kids. I don't just meditate on the things I'm thankful for, I've been trying to reach out and thank the people in my life. And I feel like the Grinch whose heart tripled in size. The more I thanked, the more love I felt. The closer I felt to God.  The more I understood that I'm not alone. I'm a product of God's grace and lots of amazing people who love me. I am thankful -- for Jesus and all the people He put in my life. And now I can see that a thankful heart is a happy heart, fully aware of God's goodness and provision. So as we enter the season of Thanksgiving, I encourage you to reach out and sincerely thank someone.  It will probably make their day, and it will be good for your heart, too. Something to keep in mind is that all ten lepers were healed,  not just the thankful one.  We don't have to be grateful.  I don't know about you, but I still want to be like the man who turned around.  And Paul who lived for Christ. I want to break the stereotype I've been given because of the generation I'm in. I want to live a life that makes Jesus smile.  I want to have a thankful heart.


"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."
Psalms 100:4‭-‬5 

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:15-17

"Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.  Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:12‭-‬18 


"Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance When he saw them, he said, 'Go, show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went, they were cleansed.  One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.  Jesus asked, 'Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?  Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?'  Then he said to him, Rise and go; your faith has made you well.'”
Luke 17:11-19

Operation Christmas Child

Now that it's November, I can start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas! I love this time of year. And one of my favorite holiday traditions is Operation Christmas Child. I've been putting together these shoe boxes since I was just a kid. And now it's something I do with my own kids. They take it seriously and put a lot of thought into their boxes. It's such a fun way to not just bless another child, but to teach our own kids the importance of giving. There's something almost magical about putting your heart into a box of presents for a child you don't even know.  Love and giving is the very heart of our Christian faith. Because our God is LOVE and He GAVE up His one and only Son for us. So I just wanted to send out a reminder to start shopping for your shoe boxes. They dont have to be extravagant. Just something that will remind a child that God loves them. You never know what small act of kindness will do to impact someone else's life and the lives around them. National collection week is November 18-25. Happy giving!

Here is the link to Samaritan's Purse where you can learn more...

Operation Christmas Child

Read a woman's testimony who received a shoe box when she was just a girl...

Oxana's story

More ways to help...

Voice of Martryres

World Vision

Compassion International




This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.  This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
1 John 4:9‭-‬16 



And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Hebrews 13:16

Wake Up!

When I think about a great modern church leader, I think of Billy Graham. Even if you're not a believer you probably know who he is. He had a humble heart on fire for the Lord. He dedicated his life to bring people to Christ. As Christians we're called to be and do a lot of things. But sharing the gospel to those in need is definitely on the top of the list. Billy Graham was a great example for our generation. And I actually got to attend one of his crusades. I was in middle school and my church drove up to the city to see him and DC Talk on tour together. I'll never forget that night for a couple reasons. For one thing, I almost didn't make it. On my way to the church to meet up with everyone else, my dad stopped at Wendy's to get me something to eat: a junior bacon cheeseburger. I then proceeded to choke on the bacon while we were driving. My dad pulled over and smacked my back until I could breathe again. I'm not sure if that's the proper way to administer the Heimlich maneuver. But it worked. And I made it to the crusade. I don't think I realized at the time what a special and even historic moment I got to be a part of. I just know how excited I was to be at a concert with my friends. Still, I went down for the alter call at the end. I can't remember what was prayed over me. But I have to wonder if those prayers are still being answered in my life now.

Many years later, well just last year actually, I remember hearing a special news report : Billy Graham had passed away. I have to be honest. My very first thought was, "he was still alive?" My second thought was, "I think we must be getting to the end of the Church age." A couple days later Billy Graham's daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, spoke at his funeral. She said something similar. Here's an excerpt from her memorial message...

"Moses was the great liberator. He brought millions of people out of bondage to slavery, got them to the edge of the Promised Land and God took him to Heaven. God brought Joshua to lead them into the Promised Land to take them home. And my father (Billy Graham) also is a great liberator. He brought millions of people out of bondage to sin and gets us to the edge of Heaven, the edge of the Promised Land and then God has called him home. Could it be that God is going to bring Joshua to lead us into the Promised Land, lead us to Heaven and – you know what the New Testament name for Joshua is? It's Jesus. And I believe this is a shot across the bow from Heaven. And I believe God is saying: 'Wake up church! Wake up world! Jesus is coming!"

I believe it. I can feel it. When God starts to move, when He gets ready to do something -- we can feel it in our spirits can't we? Anne wrote later on in her blog how scared she was the day of her father's funeral. She didn't have anything prepared and didn't know what to say until she stood behind the podium. She believes that what came out of her mouth was a prophetic message from the Holy Spirit. I think so, too. As Christians, we have the Spirit of God living in us. I believe He can reveal things and speak things to us and through us. There have been several awakenings and revivals through the centuries. What I find most exciting is that even before mass media, sometimes revivals would happen at the exact same time in different places. Because God doesn't need TV or Internet to get His message out. He just needs willing hearts attuned to the Word and His Spirit.

So if we really are on the edge of revival -- if we really are in the very last days before Jesus returns, what should we do? When Daniel read the book of Jeremiah and realized the 70 year captivity was almost over, he didn't just sit around and wait. He did something. He prayed. It's a beautiful prayer (Daniel 9:4-19). He praised God and stood on His promises. Daniel acknowledged the sins of Israel and I asked for forgiveness and undeserved mercy. And he even asked the Lord not to delay much longer. Sounds like a prayer we should pray doesn't it? I believe Anne is right, the Church needs revival.

"While a true revival in its essence belongs only to God's people, it always brings with it a blessing for the other sheep who are not yet of the fold. If you drop a stone into a lake the ring widens continually, till the farthest corner of the lake feels the influence. Let the Lord revive a believer and very soon his family, his friends, his neighbors, receive a share of the benefit; for when a Christian is revived, he prays more fervently for sinners. Longing, loving prayer for sinners, is one of the marks of a revival in the renewed heart. Since the blessing is asked for sinners, the blessing comes from him who hears the prayers of his people; and thus the world gains by revival. Soon the revived Christian speaks concerning Jesus and the gospel; he sows good seed, and God's good seed is never lost, for he has said, "It shall not return unto me void." The good seed is sown in the furrows, and in some sinners' hearts God prepares the soil, so that the seed springs up in a glorious harvest. Thus by the zealous conversation of believers another door of mercy opens to men."
-- Charles Spurgeon

If we have to battle real spiritual enemies, if we have to be a bright light to a dark world, if we really are the last generation before Jesus returns -- then the Church needs to be awake, alert, prayerful, and prepared. I contemplate Anne Graham Lotz's words often. They motivate me. Maybe they'll do the same for you. "Wake up, Church!"

Some of my favorite quotes from Billy Graham --

"God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ’I love you."

"God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there."

"My home is in Heaven. I'm just traveling through this world."

“Knowing we will be with Christ forever far outweighs our burdens today! Keep your eyes on eternity!”

“It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict, God's job to judge and my job to love.”

“Tears shed for self are tears of weakness, but tears shed for others are a sign of strength.”

“Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion – it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.”

“We say to our children, 'Act like grown-ups,' but Jesus said to the grown-ups, 'Be like children."

"Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys."


“Believers, look up – take courage. The angels are nearer than you think.”

“Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
Ephesians 5:14 

Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?  Show us your unfailing love, Lord , and grant us your salvation.
Psalms 85:6‭-‬7

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."
Acts 3:19 

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14 

"The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord , you alone know.”  Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord ! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord .’ ”
Ezekiel 37:1‭-‬6 

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.  Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.  So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation. Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."
2 Peter 3:9‭-‬18 

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.
1 Thessalonians 5:4‭-‬11

Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Luke 21:36 

Does God Hear Us? And Can We Hear Him?

"God is more eager to answer than we are to ask."
-- Smith Wigglesworth

Do you ever wonder if God can really hear you when you pray? I mean, God has so many people to take care of. At times it seems hard to imagine Him hearing and taking care of all of us. But I had an experience several years ago that assured me that He does hear. And I thought I would share it.

My oldest was just a toddler, and I was still working. I loved my job and did not have immediate plans to quit. We were a young family. We had recently bought a house and then had a baby. We just weren't ready financially to have one income. But one day I felt a tug in my heart to stay home with my daughter. I didn't say anything right away. I kept it to myself and prayed about it. About two weeks later my husband said to me, "I think you should stay home." We didn't know how we would have money to pay for everything but we both heard from God. So that was it. I put in my two weeks notice. It was difficult. I loved my daughter and was excited to stay home with her, but I was also giving up something else I loved. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make though. And I was excited to trust God. I believed that He would provide for us even if it seemed impossible. But months went by, and the little money we had saved was gone. Things were tight and difficult.  One day I went to the grocery store to buy food for the week. My daughter and I parked in front of the store, but I didn't get out of the car. I sat in the parking lot and cried. I prayed and talked to God because I knew I didn't have enough money to buy everything I needed. But I composed myself, trusted God, and went into the store. I wasn't very far into my shopping when I looked up and saw a tall woman with blonde hair walking right towards me. She stopped in front of me, grabbed my hand and put a twenty dollar bill inside. She said, "The Lord told me to give this to you," and then walked away. That was all she said and then she was gone. Well, of course I cried. Not even ten minutes earlier I was praying and asking the Lord how I was going to buy groceries. And the God who created the heavens and the earth, the King of Kings, heard my tiny prayer and sent me an answer! It was just twenty dollars. It wasn't enough to drastically change my grocery order. But it was just enough for me to hear God say, "Trust me. I've got you. I can do anything! " Since that day I have never doubted that God hears my prayers, even if He answers in ways I can't understand. Even if it takes longer than ten minutes to see Him move. Most of the time we have to be patient and wait on the Lord.  Sometimes a very long time. But one thing I know for sure -- I'm His precious child and He is mindful of me (and you).

I wanted to share this story to remind us all how special we are to God. We're His family. And if we trust Him, He will take care of us. He wants to. Just like good earthly parents are always glad to help. But sometimes I think He's waiting on us to ask. Just like my parents would have helped me in that moment if I had asked (sometimes they help even when I don't). It's easy to depend on the things in the natural (like parents), but I think God had other plans that day. I think He wanted to use a small act of kindness to reveal His greatness to me. I believe He wants us all to learn to depend on Him. Still, God uses the people in our life (and sometimes even strangers) to bring blessings. Often, we are each other's answers to prayers. And that reminds me of how important our choices are. How important it is to be obedient. I think about that woman in the grocery store often. I don't know her, but I will never forget her. I wasn't her daughter or even her friend. But she heard a voice in her heart. God told her to give me money and she chose to obey. I'm so thankful she did. And now when I get scared to reach out to someone, I think of her. If she could be brave and obedient, then so can I. How encouraging it is to know that God heard my prayer and answered it. But it's also pretty special for that woman -- that God used her to answer my prayer. God loves us enough to listen to our cries, but also enough to use us to bless others. We get to be part of God's plan! The Great I AM chooses to let us be a part of what He does! That's pretty awesome! I think one day in heaven I will know exactly who that woman is. I'll recognize her and give her a hug and finally be able to really thank her. There's nothing better than to be a part of the family of God!

I'll leave you with this excerpt from my Charles Spurgeon devotional. It was from a couple days ago and it's what prompted me to share this story. Be blessed! And be a blessing!


"Perhaps no figure of speech represents God in a more gracious light than when He is spoken of as stooping from His throne and coming down from heaven to attend to the needs and to behold the sorrows of mankind. Though a long distance lies between us and our Creator, yet there are links uniting us to Him. When you weep, do you not think that God does not see your tears? Your sigh is able to move the heart of Jehovah; your whisper can incline His ear unto you; your prayer can stay His hand; your faith can move His arm. Do not think that God sits on high paying no attention to you. Remember that however poor and needy you are, the Lord thinks about you. Oh, then, repeat the truth that never tires: no God is like the God my soul desires. He, at whose voice heaven trembles, even He, knows how to stoop to me."

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, He hears us."
1 John 5:14 

"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.”
1 Peter 3:12 

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
Jeremiah 33:3 

"I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer."
Psalms 17:6

"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on Him in truth."
Psalms 145:18 

"What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?"
Psalms 8:4

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:10

The Greatest Adventure

I think most of us probably like adventure to some degree. I do at least. As kids we played in the woods behind our house,  pretended we were explorers, imagined we were part of something exciting. We reenacted the stories we read and watched. Now I do the same thing with my own kids. They like to look for dinosaur bones and Bigfoot, pretend they're super heroes or pirates looking for treasure. Imagination is a wonderful gift from God. Now that I'm an adult I don't imagine quite as much as I used to, but I still read a lot. Some of my favorite books are The Hobbit and the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings series. And my kids are into the Chronicles of Narnia right now. It's fun to read about misfits going on magical journeys and unlikely friends triumphing over evil. We like to pretend and read about these adventures. But the truth is much more real and exciting! I believe God designed us to have purpose and a desire to be a part of something. And it turns out we are part of something very special. And if we find our purpose in Him, we'll be on a journey that ends at the beginning of another one --  an adventure greater than our human minds can imagine!

One of my favorite books in the Bible is Acts. It's the story of how the Church began -- the start of an adventure for those who wish to be a part of it. Roughly two thousand years ago Jesus, the Son of God, came and walked the earth as a man. He died. He rose from the grave and defeated death. And then ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of His Father. And that's where He is now. But where does that leave us? Not alone. Fifty days after Jesus' resurrection the Holy Spirit was sent to the upper room to indwell the hearts of men and women. The disciples were filled with God's Spirit and instantly changed! Now they were the Body of Christ, and God used all kinds of people along the way to form this mysterious new group. There was Peter the fisherman and Paul the scholar with a not so good past. Mary the mother of Jesus and Cornelius the Roman centurion. Phillip and his four daughters who prophesied. Priscilla and Aquila the married missionaries. Stephen who waited tables and stood up to the Pharisees. Just to name a few. Jews and Gentiles alike. Each one with a certain place and job to do. But the world they were living in was pretty dark and at unrest. The Jews had their laws and the Romans had their idols. And together, some of them had just put to death the Author of Life. I can only imagine the atmosphere after something like that happened. But Jesus had a lot of friends still on earth to defend His name and share His message. The unlikely mix of people were emboldened with power and love from above that could not be quenched.  They offered something that people wanted and needed -- a savior willing to forgive, love, and a promise of eternal life. You would think everyone would be excited about something like that. But the Christians seemed to make a lot of enemies. As this new group called "The Way" grew in size, both the Jews and the Romans grew in anger. But out of their persecution these first Christians became a family. They had to, the world was against them. They called each other brothers and sisters as they went to prison together, stood up for one another, hid each other in their homes, and wrote each other letters of encouragement. They carried each other's burdens. And as darkness rose, the light grew brighter. Their adversity strengthened them. And so here we are today. We're still the Church - still filled with His Holy Spirit - still a bright light! Those very first brothers and sisters of ours succeeded.

And so the adventure continues. It's hard to ignore the fact that the world is growing darker and further away from God. Persecution is rising, even in America. Maybe we're not put in prison yet like the first disciples. But we are still an incredibly misunderstood group of people. As we're often falsely accused, silenced, threatened, or forced to make compromises. But I don't think we need to be frightened. We are on an real life adventure after all. With a very real antagonist. But there's more to this real story that is pretty exciting. We're sons and daughters of God. We're priests and kings. We're a peculiar people. Strangers in a strange land. This is not our real home anymore. We're just passing through a world that's largely unaware that it's our prayers answered by our God keeping our countries, cities, and schools safe. Maybe we've lost some battles. We have enemies waging war on us. But God will win in the end.  And so will we if we're on His side. So just like the first Church, maybe we can allow the adversity to strengthen us. We can stick together and become a family. We are the body of Christ and there is a place for anyone who is willing to follow Him -- whether you have everything together or your life is in pieces. It doesn't matter who you are, what you do, or what you've done. You can be forgiven and have a place. We're all misfits. But as we remain in Him, Jesus becomes our life source -- in our weaknesses He becomes our strength.  Maybe you don't know where to start. Well the Word is a great place and it's also our greatest weapon. And never underestimate the power of a simple prayer, a kind word, an act of service, or a gesture of thoughtfulness. We might not be able to see it with our physical eyes, but when we do even the smallest act of faith and love we're piercing the darkness and allowing God to move. I believe He takes what we can give and muliplies it. So let's hold each other up. Take our places. Put on our armor. Pick up our swords. Join God's army. And follow our King and Savior, Jesus, into the greatest adventure!

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Matthew 4:19 

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12 

Blessed are those whose strength is in the Lord, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
Psalms 84:5 

Grace and peace from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever!
Revelation 1:5‭-‬6

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
1 John 3:1 

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—  the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be  in you.  I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."
John 14:16‭-‬18 

"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
John 15:4 

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."
John 15:18‭-‬19 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:10‭-‬18 

Thy Word is a Lamp onto My Feet

Those of us who grew up in the 80's and 90's knew that "Thy Word was a Lamp onto our Feet." Thanks to Amy Grant. Even now when I read that scripture I start humming that song. If you're from a Christian home like me, then you also probably knew all the Bible stories and maybe even had some scriptures memorized. You probably had people your whole life tell you to read the Word. Your parents, Sunday school teachers, and pastors all told you to. I did at least. And I listened to them. I tried to sit down and read the Bible. Except every time I did, it went in one ear and out the other. I might as well been reading a foreign language. I didn't understand it. But I was a Christian, how could I not understand the Bible? Was there something wrong with me? Still, I took my Bible with me everywhere -- on vacations, to college, when I moved away from home. Maybe I didn't always read it, or understand it, or practice what it said. Most of the time I didn't even open it. But somehow, I knew I needed it. I felt better when it was with me.

You know that "pit" I mentioned in an earlier post. Well I was at very bottom of it one day, and I was feeling especially bad for myself. I was depressed and scared. I felt hopeless. I felt lost. Through my tears I looked over and saw the Bible sitting on my bed -- the one I took with me everywhere but never read. Well, that Bible at that moment called out to me. It didn't really glow, but it almost seemed to. A voice rose up from the inside of me telling me that the answer to all my problems was in that book. I didn't know how I would get there, but I knew that voice was right. I said "Okay, God. I'm going to read your Word every day until I find some answers." And I did. At first, just like always, none of what I read made sense. But little by little I started to understand -- until one day I realized that I couldn't leave the house in the morning before reading the Bible. I couldn't go to bed at night before reading the Bible. I looked forward to it. I turned down activities with friends to stay home and read it. I was healing. I was happy. I was at home in His Word! Then one day I fell to my knees and sobbed uncontrollably. I understood who I was -- a sinner. But I also understood who Jesus was and what He did for me. He had washed me clean. He had taken that broken mess that I was and gently put me back together. And I felt His love. It was real and tangible. That voice I heard just months ago was Jesus calling me to Himself. And I am so glad I listened.

And so began my love for God's Word. That first mountain top experience lasted a year or so. But life gets busy and things fall by the wayside. Throughout the last couple decades I have had times of neglecting the Word but I've also had times of faithfulness and revelation and closeness to God. I have to admit that although I had read most of the Bible through the years, I had not read all of it. But just this past year I read the whole Bible in it's entirety. Even Leviticus. Even Ezekiel. I learned some new things about God and His Church and myself. The Bible never gets old. It's never irrelevant. But it does always restore the soul. And I don't know if I could live without it.

So, you're here reading my words. But my intention is to point you to His Words. And I shared all this because I want you to know that it's never too late to start reading. You're never too far away to be able to understand. God will meet you where you are and light your path. You're never too broken to be put back together. The best answer is always in the Bible. Even if it takes some time to find it. Whether you've spent you're whole life reading the Word or you've never once opened the pages, God's Word has something for you. His Words are Spirit and they are Life. If God was calling me, then He's calling you too. Go -- see what He has to say.

So what does God's Word say about God's Word?

**Jesus is the Word made flesh.**

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
John 1:1‭-‬5 & 14


**The Word is alive.**

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Hebrews 4:12 


**The Word lights our way.**

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
Psalms 119:105 


**The Word is our sword in battle.**

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand... Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."
Ephesians 6:13,17 


**Obeying God's Word brings blessings.**

"Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
Luke 11:28 


**God's Word is perfect.**

"As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord ’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him."
Psalms 18:30 


**God's Word accomplishes what it's meant to.**

"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,  so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
Isaiah 55:10‭-‬11 


**God's Word nourishes.**

"Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Matthew 4:4 


**God's Word cleanses.**

"...cleanse by the washing with water through the word."
Ephesians 5:26


**God's Word brings life.**

"The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit  and life."
John 6:63 


**Faith comes from hearing the Word.**

"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Romans 10:17 "


**We must act on the Word we hear.**

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like."
James 1:22‭-‬24 

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock."
Matthew 7:24 


**Not knowing the Word could bring destruction.**

"My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge."
Hosea 4:6 


**God's Word sets us free.**

"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:31‭-‬32 


**God's Word lasts forever.**

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”
Isaiah 40:8 

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."
Matthew 24:35

Mary, Martha, or Yentl

Have you ever seen the movie Yentl? I have, about 15 years ago. It's a musical starring Barbara Streisand and the guy from The Princess Bride, you know the one who's seeking vengeance on the six fingered man who killed his father. Well Yentl is a Jewish girl who wants to go to school to learn the Torah. But she can't. Because she's a girl. So she cuts her hair and disguises herself as a guy and heads off to school. There's a lot more that happens along the way: love, confusion, jealousy, weddings, and lots of singing. It's a musical after all. But the point is that Yentl was a young woman who took a risk and gave up everything to follow God and learn His Word. I related to that. And I still do.

Like Yentl, I love to study God's Word. The Creator of the universe wrote down His Words and I (and you) get to read them! I can't think of anything more exciting than that. Poor Yentl didn't have a place to learn, not without disguising herself at least. But what about me? Do I have a place? Sometimes I think about how different my perspective is reading the Bible as a woman rather than a man. Men are all through the Bible. They're the main heroes -- Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Samson, David, Peter, Paul. Just to name a few. All men. That's okay. I like learning about those men of the Bible and I'm thankful for them. I even relate to them in some ways. And sure, there are women in the Old Testament too. Their names are forever written down in God's Holy Word and that's pretty amazing. But they were under the old covenant and it's sort of clear they had a certain place.

But Jesus came along and changed things for everyone, including women. Everything Jesus did and said was important because He's Jesus, the Son of God. But they're also important because His every word and action was establishing the new covenant, ushering in His kingdom, and gathering together His Church. Jesus didn't sin, so everything He said and did produced something good. So when Jesus took time to give living water to the woman at the well, to deliver Mary Magdalene, to rescue the woman caught in adultery, to heal the woman with the issue of blood, to honor the woman who anointed Him with perfume --  it meant something. He was giving women value, a voice, and a place in His kingdom. And when Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet to listen and learn (which just like in "Yentl", was traditionally a privilege reserved just for men), Jesus didn't tell her to leave. And not only did He not rebuke her, but He said that she had chosen the better thing over her sister, Martha. And on the day of Pentecost, women were filled with the Holy Spirit along with the men. When the Church was born, women were a part of it. And because of Jesus, people like Mary, Yentl, me, and you can sit at His feet and learn.  And we don't have to leave. We can be His disciples, too!  So here I am --  sitting at the feet of Jesus, trying to find my voice so I can share what I learn. Thanks for listening.


"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."
Galatians 3:28‭-‬29

My Faith Story (at least some of it so far)

Before I start posting, I'd like to share just a little bit about myself. I think that's fair -- so you know what kind of person you're listening to. I'm a woman. Which means I'm also a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. But mostly I consider myself a follower of Christ.

I grew up in the church -- in a way it felt like my second home. My dad taught Sunday school and was very knowledgeable of the Bible and active in the church. He was the kind of guy who was friends with everyone. He made sure he read us Bible stories every night and if we skipped church on Sunday we had to have "home church." He could quote almost any scripture and I knew I wanted that for myself one day. My mom was a little bit more quiet. But she took good care of all of us and made sure we always had what we needed. If someone from the church needed a meal, she was the first to make them one. And my house was where everyone wanted to be because she took care of all my friends too -- making sure she always had fresh cookies or banana pudding. One of my favorite Bible stories is the one of Dorcas (Tabitha), the woman who sewed clothes for people and Peter prayed for. I think because she reminded me of my mom. I'm sort of a mix of both of my parents now. I'm thankful for all they taught me.

The church I grew up in was one of the main Protestant denominations. Our church was active and alive and vibrant. At least that's how I perceived it. We had outreaches and rummage sales and picnics and parties. I remember being told that being a Christian would be difficult. But I didn't understand that -- to me being a Christian was easy and fun! As I headed into my teen years, it wasn't quite as easy. But still a lot of fun thanks to my youth pastor. I loved youth group! I met my best friends there. I experienced God there. We went on trips, played games, went swimming and skiing, went to the movies and concerts and amusement parks, and really had the time of our lives. What could be better than church? But that turned out to be just a season. I tried to stay involved after I graduated, but the church changed over time as many things do. Eventually I had to let it go. Admittedly, I keep that season at that church on a pedestal and I've never been able to recreate it. Maybe I'm not meant to. But it left me feeling, in a way, spiritually homeless. If I didn't belong there, where did I belong?

After high school, I managed to keep my faith -- barely. The world and everything it offers is hard to resist when you're young. But after falling into a pit (metaphorically), I found my way back. Actually, I'm pretty sure it was my parents who stood by my side and prayed for me. Then Jesus pulled me out of the pit. He rescued me, and I was changed. I had an encounter with the the God who created the universe. Jesus had become real to me, and I wanted to live for Him. I searched for a place to fit in and people who shared my faith and enthusiasm. It was difficult. I am a little free spirited, artistic, and expressive. So I found myself being the most comfortable in the charismatic circles where I felt the freedom to be me and express my new zeal for the Lord. From there I moved onto the Jewish Roots movement. Understanding the Jewishness of scripture did indeed help me understand the Bible. But ironically, what I learned from studying Israel was just how special the Church really is. And understanding the laws helped me better understand the amazing gift of grace. I don't follow the law because I have to. I follow (or at least try to) because I want to. That's the freedom Jesus died to give us!  And now, although thankful for all of them, I'm not Protestant or Charismatic or Jewish. Well maybe I'm a little of all of them. I'm just a Christian and I'm thankful for all I have learned. 

So I made my way through my young adult years with a passion for Christ. I felt His call on my life. And I had a dream in my heart to be His disciple any way I could. But I sort of put that dream on hold for another one -- to have a family.

I love being a mom. It also makes me want to hug my own mom and thank her for all she did.  Mothers make a lot of sacrifices. But it's pretty incredible that I get to be a part of something so miraculous. To think, that the finger of God created new life inside of my own body. I remember those days of being pregnant and feeling the babies move. How can something come from nothing? I know how. Because there is a Creator of life, and He graciously allows us to be a part of His plan. Being a parent helps you understand the heart of God doesn't it? In a way, you see your kids how God sees us. Kind of. Thankfully God is infinitely more patient and merciful than we are. Whenever I get tired or lose my patience I have to remind myself that these kids I'm getting frustrated with are a gift.  God has trusted me to teach them to come back to Him -- to choose Him on their own one day. No pressure. All my kids have confessed their faith and love for Jesus!  Hopefully, with His help, I'll keep them on the right path.

So presently I have fulfilled one dream. But still I feel the nagging in my heart to follow the other one. The desire never left I guess. It was always there. But it's easy to grow complacent. Recent experiences have reignited my faith. I've been reminded of the briefness of our time here on earth.  I don't want to waste the voice God has given me. The tugging at my heart and call of God is stronger than ever now. And this blog is an attempt to answer that call. It's a way for me to share my faith and be a witness. I don't know all the answers or have it all right. But I have a story. I have experiences and things I've learned. We all do. We have mountains and valleys. Times when we could feel God rescue us.  People who influenced our lives. I know I'm not the only one who has wanted to share their story. But sometimes we feel too scared, weird or embarrassed to speak up don't we? We shouldn't be. The Bible says we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimonies. Our stories must be pretty powerful if sharing them is part of how we overcome!  We have an enemy and I think it's clear he wants to silence us. Why? Because he's probably terrified of us uniting, walking in love, sharing our testimonies, and becoming overcomers! But that's what we are -- because Jesus has already overcome the world! Thanks for listening to my story. Until next time, be blessed -- be an overcomer!



"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."
Revelation 12:11 

"To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."
Revelation 3:21 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 

Lilies of the Field

So this is my very first post. Really, I am starting this blog for myself. Writing for me is therapeutic. But my prayer is that as I share my thoughts, someone else will be encouraged by them. I myself was encouraged by someone else to start this blog. And I got the inspiration for the name from a book I recently read by Hannah Whitall Smith. Here is an excerpt from her book, A Christian's Secret of a Happy Life...

💮🌱Consider the Lilies🌱💮

"Our job is to grow in the Lord as the lilies or babies grow, without care or anxiety. He who planted us, has made us to grow. The lilies don't toil or strain. But through the nurturing care of God, the care of the gardener, the heat of the sun, and the falling rain, it grows and buds and blossoms into the beautiful plant God meant it to be. What we all need is to 'consider the lilies of the field' and learn their secret. Grow, by all means, but grow in God's way. See to it that you are planted in grace and then let the divine Husbandman cultivate you in His own way and by His own means. Put yourself out in the sunshine of His presence and let the dew of heaven come down upon you. But the thinnest covering may serve to keep off the sunshine and dew. So the slightest barrier between your soul and Christ may cause you to dwindle and fade as a plant hidden under a bush. Keep the sky clear. Receive the blessed influences your divine Husbandman may bring to bear upon you. Bask in the sunshine of His love. Keep your face upturned to Him as the flowers do the sun. Look, and your soul will live and grow. He makes His sun to shine and His dew to fall upon us. He transforms the very things that were our greatest hindrances to be the most blessed means of our growth. And if He sends storms, or winds, or rains, or sunshine, all must be accepted at His hands with the most unwavering confidence that He, who has undertaken to cultivate us and to bring us to maturity, knows the very best way of accomplishing His end. So we must learn to step aside to let God work. We must be content to leave the cultivating, growing, training, pruning to our good Husbandman, who alone is able to manage these things. We must not be engaged in watching self, but in 'looking unto Jesus.' For those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God."

I love that. If we ever wonder if God hears our prayers, if He cares - let us "consider the lilies." He knows just what we need. 

"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
Matthew 6:28‭-‬29 



"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,  what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?"
Psalms 8:3‭-‬4