The Rides of Life

Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Lately I've been dealing with a lot of roller coasters lately. If you ask anyone they will tell you I do "not" like roller coasters. If I am on a roller coaster I basically just shut my eyes tight and pray until it's over. Although once I was on them for a couple times in a row I was able to open my eyes and see things from a whole new perspective. Sometimes we just need to be comfortable enough to allow room for growth. I still like to "avoid" roller coasters at all means. Yet, there are some times when I feel like my life and it's roller coasters are just unavoidable. I want to close my eyes and pray until it's over but obviously I must open then at some point and see things from a different perspective and most of the time at a very fast pace. When you've gone on a roller coaster a bunch of times you can get a feel for when the next drop will be. However a new roller coaster presents a whole new perspective and you will not know where the drops were you just have to hang on for dear life and trust God will get you through. The question then is will you go back to that knowing that you didn't like it... even if you know what to expect or will you move on to another ride?

I love carousels because they go around and you know what to expect. I also love that you can decide where you sit and what style your pony will be. I wish life was more like carousels with fancy decorations and predictability. I wish it had lovely music that would play and allow you to relax, no matter what it would never go by too fast.

A while ago I decided that I would dare to try things I've never tried before and at least once a year would do this to expand my look at life. The year before this year I tried roller coasters and I learned that one roller coaster I went on had a beautiful view that I could only see if I opened my eyes and trusted God. My other venture was eating a whole lot of sushi. I was weary of trying new things. Then I realized if I don't I will not learn what works and what doesn't. If we don't trust God we will never learn. God wants us to experience the good and the bad so we will learn what works and what doesn't. He isn't a dictator deciding where we will go next. He gives us choices so that we decide and learn for ourselves.

So whatever ride you are facing be sure to trust God and keep your eyes open.

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

Better Than Cinderella

We all know the story. The girl loses her father and an evil step mother comes to force her into a miserable life until the fairy godmother comes along to save the day by transforming her rags into riches and allow her to be presented to the prince who she would marry. Well Princess, this story is much better!

Once upon a time there was a little girl who lost "both" her parents. Thankfully she didn't have to go live with a wicked anyone she got to live with her older cousin a nice man who raised her and told her of her heritage all her life. Eventually this girl grew up to be a very beautiful young lady.

One day a king ordered all the beautiful virgins to be assembled before him so that he could chose a new wife. The beautiful young lady was advised by her sweet cousin never to reveal her heritage or any of her background to anyone in the kingdom. So the girl listened to her kind cousin and even changed her own name so that no one would recognize it's roots. There the girl was presented with a beauty treatment and beautiful clothes and jewels to wear. The other virgins were dolling up and getting ready to present themselves to the king. They were laying on the jewels thick as well as the perfume. However the beautiful young lady did not instead she asked the man who had served the king for years what she should wear. She took this mans advice. She was very kind to everyone and everyone in the kingdom grew to love her. When the king heard of her he asked for her to be presented to him. He fell in love with her and placed a crown upon her head. She had one the beauty contest and the king's hand in marriage!

But this was not the end of the story... some evil men were plotting to kill the king and the new queen's kind cousin warned her about this. The new queen told her husband and the husband found out that she was indeed right. She had saved his life!

However this was not the end... one of the king's men had put out word to kill all the queens people of her heritage and the queen was afraid. She went to her kind cousin and he told her that "now" was the time to reveal who she was and what her heritage was. The queen knew this would probably make the king mad and he might even order her to be killed but she had to stand up for her people. She told her that his man was having her people killed. The man became angry and insisted that she be killed but her husband the king spared her life and ordered that the lives of her people be spared as well. The king loved his wife so much... she was truly a heroin.

This whole story can be read in the book of Esther.

This story was not just about some beauty contest this story was about a woman who loved God and her people and was brave enough to stand for what was right even if it meant her own life would be taken. How brave are we? Would we use what God gave us and stand in the midst of our enemies unashamed? Even if it meant death? Or maybe even job loss? I encourage you today to stand firm on your faith no matter what the cost! Be an Esther :)

1 Corinthian 16:13
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

What Will I Wear?

Lamentations 1:3-4
3 After affliction and harsh labor,
Judah has gone into exile.
She dwells among the nations;
she finds no resting place.
All who pursue her have overtaken her
in the midst of her distress.

4 The roads to Zion mourn,
for no one comes to her appointed festivals.
All her gateways are desolate,
her priests groan,
her young women grieve,
and she is in bitter anguish.

Sometimes we come home wearing the burdens of our job or the stresses of our lives. Soon we are burnt out and can barely stand through the day. When we don't have others supporting us we feel hopeless and lose zeal. We find ourselves trying to take on to much just to "hold it all together". Sometimes we even try to hold together what isn't even there. I've seen this in jobs when bosses are abusive to their employees. I've seen it in houses where husbands fail to support their wives. I've seen where women all over are giving up hope. They are looking for a shoulder to rest their head on and they can't find one. That or they find one in the wrong places. Marriages fail because a wife turns to another man for compassion or gets too involved with work that she buries herself in it and rarely sees her family. There are women stretching out asking for hope. Hope from an employer to recognize they are trying hard. Appreciation from others around them that they poor out their heart to.

I have a friend who doesn't know that I can look into people and see hurt. My friend gave up her dreams and her career to be a homemaker. She now looks at me with sadness in her eyes and a sort of lost hope. I feel like she's crying out a warning to me to never give up my dreams. I feel like she wants her husband to recognize her "needs" as well. She needs to find purpose outside of her home. I pray for this friend daily.

If God has a calling in your life keep stretching out until you reach it. Satan will try to knock us off the path God has us on to distract us from God's great plans. Satan feels threatened by the potential God put in you. He will do anything he can to stop you from getting where God wants you. You need to be smart and steadfast. You need to ask God what to do. God will sometimes tell you to do things that aren't familiar to you. He may even direct you to speak openly with people and give you the words to say even if you've never spoken up for yourself. Now is the time be YOU speak for what God created you to do. Lighten the load a little and live! Ask for help! Renew your strength by waiting and relaxing in the time of your waiting. Remember in order to take care of others we must first take care of ourselves. In order to the best wives and mothers and teachers we can be we need to first feed ourselves spiritually and emotionally. Be assured that God loves you and He appreciates you serving Him when you serve others. He has clothes you with precious jewels and linen and has called you blessed!

So break away from the things that are burdening and get out there and get the joy that is waiting. Get out there and join the festival of Joy.

http://ministerofpraise.com/Colors.aspx

This is an interesting site made by a sister in Christ who leads a praise ministry it talks about different colors of clothing and what they represent :) Let's see what garments we've been wearing.

Isaiah 61:3
“To give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness

You're Breaking My Heart!

Lamentations 1:1-2
1 How deserted lies the city,
once so full of people!
How like a widow is she,
who once was great among the nations!
She who was queen among the provinces
has now become a slave.

2 Bitterly she weeps at night,
tears are on her cheeks.
Among all her lovers
there is no one to comfort her.
All her friends have betrayed her;
they have become her enemies.


My best friend took a trip with other women from her church one night to write encouraging scriptures in chalk on the driveway of a sister-in-Christ who had just recently lost her child. It is a very very sad thing when you loose someone so dear to you so many pieces are missing so many unanswered questions. There are so many people out there who are coping with loss. So many people who can use some warm hugs and some inspiration. So many times we look past people right in front of us who are hurting. God has been opening my eyes slowly and showing me people's hurts He's been giving me the words to pray over them. Sometimes God will direct me right to them to lay hands on them and pray for them right there in the open... maybe even right in front of a store. Sometimes God speaks to me in the still of the night when I feel heaviness on my heart for someone and I will pray for them without them around. However, it is important to pray for each other and lift each other up in "sisterly" love. Sisterhood is a very powerful thing and can help mend broken hearts. It can help bring comfort to the tears. It can restore hope. Let's encourage one another and pray for one another this week. Give someone a hug and remind them you are praying over them. Whisper words of inspiration and promise into their ear. Be a light when all around seems dark.

Let's restore hope and remind others although they feel betrayed they are loved they will be protected by the Lord and let's offer our deeds of kindness as well. Listen to them and become more intimate. Remind them what goodness God speaks over them. Allow your heart to be broken for what God's heart breaks for. Be His hands to heal.

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

A Rescued Nation

2 Corinthians 5:20 (Amplified Bible)
20 So we are Christ's ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ's personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] and be reconciled to God.

I was watching Megamind tonight with my brother when I realized something. God wants us to take a hold of our world and rescue it. He has created us to be the heroes. It may be something as small as helping a old lady carry her groceries to her car. It may be something as big as giving away 100,000 dollars to random deserving citizens who help people (unseen heroes). People need to realize we are all in this world together... we have all been given unique gifts to help one another. Even if you feel like you haven't discovered your super hero ability yet ... it is there. Perhaps we are like Megamind and are uncertain of our destiny... we attempt to find gratification in evil things and in the end feel empty and alone. However, we can turn from that and reacquaint ourselves with the significance of self sacrifice and giving from our hearts no matter what we give small or large monetary or serviceable. This world is ours we are going to conquer it we are bound to it and we are going to need everything we are to take care of it and make sure it is safe.

So when you wake up tomorrow and you look to the world around you full of darkness and oppression... start believing that it's time for change. Do your part! Get out there and get going. It doesn't matter how little you have to give because even when you only have a little God can use it in a BIG way.

Be a hero today and rescue this nation!

Matthew 25:40
"And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'

The Real Need

Psalm 66:19-20
19 but God has surely listened
and has heard my prayer.
20 Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!

She is, a mother, a wife, a teacher. She came from Ecuador looking for hope for a life better than the one she left behind. She found a place that would pay her more than 100 dollars a month. She could now feed her family and make sure her 17 year old son had an education and an opportunity to make something of his life. Her husband works two jobs carpentry and newspaper delivery. They get up every morning at 2 am and both of them pack and deliver papers. "The newspapers don't close down they are open on holidays and every day of the week" she explained. She said where she came from people who were doctors could not find work they drove a taxi or worked as a janitor. This is the woman I have worked with for the last three days. In these last three days she has touched my heart so deeply. Why does she work with kids when she has a degree in business management? She told me how her mom (who passed away from breast cancer) was a teacher and how she loves working with children. She is working with the children to teach them Spanish and to work on her English now. However, there is more than just the surface of this amazing woman. She gives everything she has for her family. She does everything she can for her job. She lives with a lump in her breast that she will have to have removed. She prays it is not like the cancer that killed her mother.

I believe strongly that God will hear her prayer. Here is a woman who came from nothing to give her son a life he can have opportunity and make something of himself. She explained to me how her son was so fascinated people throw away so many things. Where she came from no one threw away anything. I never knew a more humble and giving person. She has nothing to give but herself and she gives all of herself to her family and to her job. She does ask for a lot. She doesn't even ask for healing in her body. She just has faith that God will take care of her.

I learned something in the last three days. I learned that God loves a heart that is humble and that doesn't beg. I learned that God wants us to try our best and give our all and just know that He will provide for us and take care of us. We need to realize that when the bible says to ask for something in the name of Jesus it doesn't mean "Dear Lord can I please have a Wii or a Xbox360" God wants us to only ask from faith and only believe what we "need" to happen.

So tonight as you say your prayers before hitting your head to the pillow think about my coworker from Ecuador. How much do we really have? What are you believing God for that you "need"? It could be for something like healing in your heart from hurt in the past. For God to bring you to a place where you can allow love to enter in your life again. Whatever you need believe it in Jesus name... have faith and you will not want. :)

John 14:14
Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

Tune In To God

Psalm 66:17-18
17 I cried out to him with my mouth;
his praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;
How often I used to think that God was not listening to me. No matter how I prayed I felt He didn't answer me. Then when I came to realize all the times I've done the same to Him I felt ashamed. Why do I expect God to listen to me constantly complaining... constantly asking Him for things with an amen at the end? I don't listen to Him sometimes when He tells me not to do something sometimes I do it anyway. There were times that I've secretively lived in the midst of the miry clay and when I called out to God I could not hear His voice I could not even know that He heard mine. However He held on tight no matter how deep I sank. I wonder how many other girls have cried out to God while they were living in sin and wondered why God wasn't listening? When we get our hearts right with God ... we will feel God closer and hear Him more clearly. We are really the ones with the head phones on listening to what the world wants us to hear what they think is okay to do. We need to switch channels and listen to His will in our lives... even if it means changing things we have been avoiding removing from our lives because we think they make us feel good.

Time to tune in to God's word and focus on it so that when we face the world we will stay firm in the truth. Let the things you listen to be the right things. Let the choices you make be the right choices. May you hear God more clearly now that you are tuned in.

Matthew 6:33 AMP
33But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.