Trust and Obey

I grew up in a southern Baptist church where traditional hymns were sung every week. I remember many years ago when I had recently married. My then husband and I went to his little South Georgia church he grew up in called Ebenezer Baptist Church. There we also sang traditional hymns. I remember his grandmother Slade was a prominent member. Anytime the doors were open she was there. We frequently sang Trust and Obey. Do you know the chorus? Trust and Obey,

for there’s no other way

to be happy in Jesus

but to Trust and Obey.

She was clearly and simply trusting and obeying daily throughout her whole life. What an example she was! Singing that song over 21 years ago I never knew those simple words would reign so true today. We make our lives so intertwined and complicated… Sometimes having 15 different tasks at hand juggling work, finances, children, relationships. Maybe some of you have aging parents or a disability or are fighting cancer or a sickness. Some of you may be young and in high school or college where studies seem daunting tasks. Wherever you are in your moment…in your life know that Jesus doesn’t want it to be complicated. He wants to take our burdens daily. All we have to do are two simple tasks. Trust and Obey. One step at a time. There is ultimate peace knowing He wins our battles not us. All we have to do is Trust and Obey and happiness will follow.

Psalm 142:8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

Psalm 38:18-22 The Lord watches over those who obey him, those who trust in his constant love. 19He saves them from death; he keeps them alive in times of famine. 20 We put our hope in the Lord; he is our protector and our help. 21 We are glad because of him; we trust in his holy name. 22 May your constant love be with us, Lord, as we put our hope in you.

Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.Proverbs 10:17

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

A dog’s love

I went out of town a few weekends ago and asked a good friend of mine to dog sit. I have two little Shih Tzu’s that are like family members to us. When we came home, she told me of how much Smokey my youngest dog comforted her and kept her company just as much as she did him. Being away from my pets reminded me how much a dog loves his owner. It doesn’t matter how long I’ve been away or if I just went to the grocery store for a few minutes and back, my dogs are jumping up and down excited to see me giving lovingfull waggy tails and kisses in glee. Every day I come home and it doesn’t matter how long of a day I’ve had or if I’m in a good mood or not, or what I’ve done that day right or wrong, Smokey and Coco are patiently waiting at the door just as excited to see me no matter what with their endless unconditional love. As I reflect now in this time of Easter, that same unconditional love as a dog’s love for his owner reminds me of Jesus and our relationship (or lack of) with Him. Whether we walk with him daily or have neglected time with Him…No matter what, He’s always at the door waiting for us whether we are in a good mood or not, whether we’ve done right or wrong that day. Everyday His arms and hands are wide open to Embrace us with his endless unconditional love. He even carried all our sins and burdens to die on the Cross so we can live in eternity with that endless unfailing undying love and acceptance. He wants nothing more than to have a daily relationship with us. Nothing can stop the love of Jesus coming after us! All we have to do is allow ourselves to receive it. Happy Easter Season Everyone and be reminded of Jesus’ endless unconditional love for you and me.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Luke 24:6-7: "He is not here; he has risen!"

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him shall not Parrish but will have everlasting life.

2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

Connect

Garbage in, Garbage out. We have probably all heard this saying. So what does that mean? What we receive into ourselves—Spiritually, emotionally and physically— eventually will come out. For example, we know if we eat junk food, soda, McDonalds, high in fat or calories content the outcome is that our bodies will get fat. It WILL happen. You will physically get bigger. You will feel worse and worse like sludge in a car motor. Same goes for the opposite. If we put into our bodies fruits, veggies, water good meats and dairy we will operate at our best capacity. Our bodies are incredible creations! This is also true for our minds and soul. What are we connected to? I look at most kids today and they’re no doubt connected to the phone, the internet, the TV. In our world today especially, there’s so much noise—Lots of proganda, created hate to try to get us to hate., pornography and profanity. Once again what we put in our minds is what will come out. So what are you connecting to? Are you watching and listening to negativity or are you watching and listening to positive shows and speakers? Are you reading good things such as the Bible or negative things? I challenge you to take a moment and focus on what you’re connecting yourself to. And if it’s not pure, lovely and positive it might be time to disconnect and connect to Jesus.

Philippians 4:8

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 John 15 4-5 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.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;(G) apart from me you can do nothing.

Expectations

So I’m reading this book called What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by an incredible author named Lisa Terkeurst. If you’re like me and reading I’ll find myself picking up a book and reading some then setting it down and days or even weeks later picking it back up and reading more etc. I may do this with several books at a time…starting one or two or three at the same time and taking forever to finish any. And so it is with this one but tonite these words just jumped out at the page to me. Lisa writes, the more we expect to see God the more we will. I had to read it again. “The more we expect to see God, the more we will!” Too often I catch myself thinking of such little expectation in life. It reminds me of sayings such as your expectation produces your outcome. You get out what you put in. If you don’t expect much you’re not going to get much. You only get what you expect to get. Our brains are finite and we get into ruts of the same ole same ole earthly thinking. I don’t expect much. Or I limit myself to my own doings. I like to be in control. I’m only human. I can only do so much. Or we get let down because we do expect a lot out of people or someone close to us and they don’t meet our expectations therefore we lower what we expect. Why should I expect anything else but just a little…or just enough…or all that is humanly possible. I am a single income household with unsteady income. Oh how I worry at times as to what I’m going to do for the next month or two months ahead. I totally forget that God is my God. My provider, my Deliver, my God that wants to continuously show up and go above and beyond for me and my family. Then it reminds me of the verse, Ye of such little faith. I have gotten back into my finite rut of thinking it’s just me and my efforts. What little expectation; little faith I have! He wants to bless us so much! He wants us to expect more out of Him because He can do more beyond our wildest dreams if we will only open our eyes to that. And these words come back blaring on the page “The more we expect to see God, the more we will.” I am limiting my vision when fail to let God be God. When I’m so in control of my own way I’m stumbling over my own steps and actions. How absurd of me to be so finite in my thinking, so controlling of my own blessings or outcome. I miss the grandeur; I’m blinded by my finite Vision. God wants us to be bold, be bold in our thinking, expect more, exceedingly more. And why wouldn’t we?! He is our God! Our Almighty Father who wants to, does, and will bless us beyond measure if only…if only we expect Him to. So next time when you’re thinking not so highly of what’s to come or not being bold in your thoughts or feeling down and not expecting much out of your day or your actions or your life remember these words. “The more you expect to see God, the more you will see God.” Get out of your own way. Open your eyes to abundant blessings beyond measure.

Ephesians 3: 20,21  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Malachi 3:10
“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”

Romans 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Proverbs 24:14 Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, And your hope will not be cut off.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Through the Light of Hurricane Sally

Sept 16,2020

I’ve been up since about 3am. Never really sleeping at all this nite. The power went out around 9. It scared the girls but they got the candles going. It’s now 603am. A time we are normally up and in showers getting ready for school and work but instead hurricane Sally is beating down on us. 

We have the front windows boarded up but not the back. I’m beginning to wonder now if that was a wise decision. I’ve been listening to the howling wind and screeching rain since 3am. The rain beats on the back windows hollering, “let me in!” But the windows are holding up. I have paced from front door to back door looking at the intensity of this storm. Never in my life have I experienced a Cat 2 eyewall right over my head. It sounds like a heavy freight train in the distance running wide open over its train tracks rushing to its destination. I put my hand on my back windows and I can feel them move in and out with every gust. Pretty eerie.

The sun is normally trying to peak a little light over the horizon at this time but not today. Sally is making her way slowly through instead. Some folks who have lived here a long time says it’s similar to hurricane Frederick which came right through here on the same day Sept 16, 1979.  I was but 1 and a half then living in small town North Georgia. Who would’ve thought I’d be living right here now in Sally’s path 41 years later. 

The strangest thing happened though around 3am when I woke. The little solar light starburst that my mom has given me earlier this year randomly came on and was shining so brightly in the back yard through the storm. That poor starburst light hasn’t worked in weeks; yet it decided to come on in the middle of the night and shine through this eyewall. I look at it in awe through the back window. A storm like no other raging all around it but it stands firm shining through like a beacon in the night. It reminds me of Jesus’s light in our darkness, shining through our storms…of Gods love and grace and mercy throughout our lives. Even through the worst storms we literally have to go through on this earth, He’s there shining ever so brightly. Since the power went out at 9pm, there wasn’t a stitch of light in the sky. That starburst was shinning ever so brightly. We live in a fallen world. Our lives are not perfect and we will endure storms. Some of which we never thought we would. If you’re in the midst of a storm, know there is a Light shining ever so brightly for you to follow, grab hold of or just focus on. Jesus WILL see you though. It too will pass. I promise. Just hold on to HIS light. If you do not know Jesus as your light I urge you right now to receive Him as your Light and Savior.

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Psalm 119:105 You are the lamp unto my feet and a light on my path.
Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

John 9:5 “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

John 12:46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

Choose Me

Have you ever been rejected? If you say no you are lying to yourself and the whole world. Because we all have at some point perhaps over and over throughout our lives. I remember in elementary school we used to play red rover red rover and before the game started the teacher would assign captains to each team and that captain could choose one at a time who they want to be on their team. More than once I was the last one chosen. Boy as a young child that hurt but you’re in front of all your peers and you—to avoid even more embarrassment—brush it under the table so to speak. That was my first real memory of rejection. As I grew up and walked though life obviously more rejection occurred. I rejected and was rejected. I am certain we all have been there. It’s inevetivbly a part of life. Maybe it was a break up over a boy or a girl; or someone didn’t want to be your friend; maybe you got fired from a job, maybe kids made fun of you at school. Maybe it was divorce.  You feel low, lost and hurt; unloved and rejected. Do you know that Jesus felt the exact same way? On that cross he felt all those things. Betrayed and rejected by the people of the world in that moment. Still he says Choose Me. Wow. Do you realize He whispers in our ear every day... I choose YOU. Choose Me.  He never leaves us nor forsakes us. He chooses me everyday as His Daughter, His child, His Creation. We are not rejected by Him! What powerful words. He chooses us everyday. So in your lowest of low when you’re feeling down, rejected, and hurt, remember to look up, close your eyes and/or listen quietly because Jesus is whispering your name...I choose you. Choose Him daily and your perspective will be ratically changed. 

John 15:16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.

1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." ... You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession.

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

Deuteronomy 7:6  For you are a people holy to the Lord your God.The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

Togetherness

In this rare time in our history of quarantine I was out running the neighborhood and saw a little girl and boy playing on their play set in their back yard. The moment took me back to a time in my childhood. Remember when you were little and you wanted to go outside but you also want your mom or dad to come and watch? Even if it was on the swing swinging, I would say “watch me mom!” We lived in the country and didn’t have a pool or sprinkler system. My sister would get the hose and put it upside down between two bricks to create a splash pad if you will. We would run through that water shooting and over and over with our bathing suits on. It was simple and all we had but it was so much fun! But one thing was certain… mom was in the lounge chair out there watching. Even as a child we crave togetherness. Our natural instinct is to be around others. We were created to be together. We crave touch and true face to face interaction and conversation. I think during this time we are being reminded of how precious and valuable that is. We will eventually get back to normal as a country but Let’s not take it for granted what we’ve learned or have been reminded of. Togetherness is truly so special. 

Psalm 133:1

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
when my brothers (God’s people) live together in unity!”

Colossians 3:13-14 “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds us together in perfect unity”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man that falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”

Timing

Have you ever wondered why things happen when they do? Or those certain moments in your life why they became so special? Sometimes we say...it was the timing. Sometimes we get frustrated and impatient with Gods timing. There was a time that out of hundreds of girls that tried out, I made the University of Georgia Flagline. What a surreal time in my life; however, I had not yet received my entrance acceptance letter into Georgia. What an agonizing time waiting. I’ll never forget the day it came though. What a sweet moment in time that was.

Do you ever look back and say, eek! That was perfect timing! Or uuuggghhhhh that came at the worst time. Or someone walked in your life and you broke their heart or they broke your heart and said, “it’s just not the right timing.” Maybe you got shocked looking down at that pregnancy stick and it’s positive and you start crying because you thought you can’t do this because it’s horrible timing. Perhaps you’re hurting or trying to heal from a recent break up or divorce etc and just like that the right person walks into your life but you miss them because you say to yourself it’s just not the right timing.

Perhaps you started a new business and it’s really getting going and boom! a life curveball hits and Coronavirus is taking over the world ruining your new business. Maybe you were on the brink of all being lost or maybe all was lost in your life once and you just got a big break and thought ...that couldn’t have come at any better timing.

Do you ever find yourself trying to wait for the right timing? You are so consumed with everything being just right at the right time that you actually miss it....A missed opportunity or a missed ‘right person’, a missed perfect job because you were so consumed with it being given at the right timing?

Here’s one thing that’s constant in this ever changing world...time does not stop. As I am typing my thoughts to you the clock is still ticking. We wake up and we go to sleep. The sun rises and sets whether we think it’s the right time or not. How can we in our finite minds think that our personal timing is perfect? We do everything we can in our power to make the timing perfect for certain things in our lives...an opportunity, learning an instrument, getting into the right school, waiting to find the right person, or perhaps waiting for the perfect time to have a baby. If we waited for what we thought was the right timing we would miss some of the most precious times in our lives. We wouldn’t learn certain valuable life lessons. I’m definitely ready to feel normal again through this chaotic time in our country’s history; however, sometimes God allows us to go through certain times to see if we will grow. It’s like glass in a fire. With an amazing Glass Blower that glass will come out of the fire the most beautiful piece of art. But it doesn’t look like that unless it goes through the fire first and is allowed to be molded and shaped and given color.

Just remember sometimes our finite minds think our timing is perfect only to be reminded that God’s timing is the only timing that’s perfect. We may not think it’s the right timing, but when you look back you know beyond the shadow of a doubt that it was. God doesn’t make mistakes; therefore, whatever you’re going through in life, good or bad...remember you are right there for a reason in your life because God’s timing is perfect. Embrace it and let go of your timing and let God’s timing prevail. 💕

Romans 8:28 For we know that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord, who are called according to His purpose

Isaiah 40:31 But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Luke 18:27 - And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Lanantations 3:23

The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Listen

Words are powerful. Read that again...WORDS are powerful!  Do you remember when you were a kid and there was this one kid that would tell you mean things. You’re not pretty. You can’t get into that college. You’re not popular. You can’t play football. What are you thinking?!? You’re too little. You can’t play basketball...you’re too short. You’re ugly. You can’t get that girl or that guy. You shouldn’t even be here. Just a few short words in your childhood probably affected your whole life. And those are negative words. OR maybe you had that person or teacher or parent or friend that said you CAN do this and you ARE beautiful or you CAN go to college. You CAN play football. You can be anything you want to be.  You are incredible! 

Words shape us into who our spirit becomes. Words speak life or words speak havoc. Words can change the course of a persons life for good or for the worse. Take a moment to absorb that. Take a moment and dig deep and Listen to yourself.  Because in our world we are all influencers. To our children our coworkers our family and friends and colleagues to our students if we are teachers.  What are you speaking?

Proverbs 15:4 “Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” 

Proverbs 16:24 “Kind words are like honey–sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” 

Proverbs 18:4 “A person's words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook.”

Proverbs 10:31

The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off.

Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” 

Impact and Influence

Last year In 8th grade my sports fanatic daughter at her middle school with her FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) group won the opportunity to go back stage VIP At the senior bowl FCA rally to meet college Seniors (future NFL players), talk to them and ask questions, get autographs, etc. It was quite an experience I must say. This year she and I went again—this time just being in the crowd listening to these guys on stage tell of their testimony through football. Because of their actions a couple nites ago choosing to take the time to speak powerful words to these kids, they impacted well over a 1000 middle and high school boys and girls. For some that FCA rally will be a defining moment in their young lives.

Have you ever watched a stone being skipped on a calm lake or gentle river? Have you ever watched a child or adult do a cannonball in the pool and the water makes waves and the waves go wider and further after each passing second? Have you watched boat drive by on the water? It makes a huge wake…a rippling effect on the water for several minutes AFTER the boat is even gone. The water surrounding that one little rock or that one person jumping in or boat driving by is AFFECTED. It causes a rippling affect that widens and widens every second for many seconds or minutes thereafter. The same analogy can be true for a human being’s one single action or daily choices and actions throughout life.

Your own walk in life will be a rippling effect like that stone thrown in the water. You will impact one way or the other good or bad to the people around you and then to those people around them and then to the people around them. You will touch lives of people you don’t even know personally by a single action. Our Influence is POWERFUL.

Even as young as 5 years old, 10 years old, middle school, high school, college students, and adults....Every stage in our lives we have influence to those around us. Daily we wake up and have a CHOICE to walk one way or another. We have a choice! Are we going to influence to the good? or are we going to Influence someone down the wrong path? With just a single action, we can alter someone’s path like a rippling effect forever. When you wake up every day ...Which way do you choose?

Psalm 118:24 This is the day the lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Matthew 16:24-25

24 Then Jesus said unto His disciples, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it, and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.

Romans 14:13

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this--not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.

I Corinthians 8:9-13

But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died.