Faith is Messy.

Believe me it’s true.

Just ask Jonah. Imagine how disgusting and

terrifying being inside a fish for three

stinking days must have been? Or Moses?

Surviving a genocide, committing murder,

exile, and absolutely repulsive plagues.

And lets not forget Job. His faith got

messy simply because he was faithful. A

test allowed by God.

And the biggest mess of all. The one Jesus

bore for us. All sin, for all time.

AMAZING MESSY GRACE.

Faith IS messy. Sometimes we stamp our

feet at God and say, “I will NOT go to

Nineveh!” Or we commit murder in our

hearts by hating our brother, or choosing

not to forgive. Other times the chaos is

because of someone else’s sin or

stubbornness. We all have Pharaohs, Sauls,

and Herods in our life.

We should expect faith to be

messy. But so often we think just the

opposite. If we are following Jesus then

all our turmoil will simply disappear. But

often we forget that when we invite Him to

wash us clean He does it the right way.

Not by shoving things into dark closets and

hiding things under the bed. When He

cleans, He makes all things new. He purges

the filth hiding in the darkest corners,

sometimes exposing a terrible pile of sin.

But it is part of the process-purging,

cleaning out, reordering. He makes our

garbage dumps fruitful gardens.

So today I challenge you, embrace the mess

entrusted to you. Your beautiful messy

life is all He wants. EVERY STINKING PART.

A Creative Needs.

A Creative Needs:

time & space
to move
to dance
hopeful anticipation edges towards knowing
the created moves to the cadence of it’s Creator
gently, quietly
sometimes wildly
the created wrestles with reason, dreams of eternity

sighing. abiding. aching.
Unleash Me Jehovah God!

to be known, seen by You
a creative needs to experience
express unity with it’s creator
while exploring, growing
Spirit move in me
I sway in rhythm with your breath
just to feel you
experience, commune with you
is all this creative needs

Online Already?

TEENAGERS. We have them. Two and a tween to be exact. And they want more freedom everyday. Where do you draw the line? Even if your children are young the line between protecting and being ridiculously controlling can EASILY become skewed not that I have an issue with that. One of the many battle zones in our home is over internet use. This is tricky, not just for kids but for all of us. Here are some rules that everyone in our home observes. As parents, we have learned the hard way how quickly sticky situations arise online.

1. Our computer is password protected. Only momma can log you in. And when momma isn’t around the computer is off. This rule came about at the request of my husband who didn’t want any of the men himself included in our home to be tempted by all those hot virtual babes. (WHAT A MAN!)
2. When you are online the door to the computer room is OPEN. (no secret viewing)
3. If the search history is erased without momma’s knowledge someone is in trouble.
4. No chatting online with people of the opposite sex. We have experienced first hand how quickly an innocent “chat” can become “questionable” Have you noticed how people will text or say things online that they would never have the nerve to say in person. Better to play it safe!
5. If you wouldn’t want your mother to see you looking at it. DON’T LOOK AT IT!

And then there is facebook….oh my. This is a world where trouble quickly arises. Just a few thoughts here. Some of you will strongly disagree but that is ok. You are not my child.

Don’t EVER post any of the following…
1. pictures of yourself in skimpy clothing, or any pictures that may embarrass you or someone else later (Sorry but I do not want to think about what your toe fungus looks like the next time I see you).
2. hurtful comments. Give others the same courtesy you would like to have. If you have a problem with someone don’t smear them on Facebook. (TACKY) The Bible tells us how to handle conflict with others. It is a novel idea. GO TALK TO THEM, and no one else. This one is especially hard for many adults and can be so damaging to relationships and even organizations, including our churches. And note to parents. Don’t vent frustrations about your kids on Facebook. I made this mistake one time and my kids let me know about it. We need to only encourage them not tear them down publicly. It is their hearts we are protecting.
3. And to adults…anything that you would not want a future employer to see. This includes profanity, pictures of you at some wild party, or crude comments. Just my opinion. Keep it classy, this is your reputation we are talking about here. I am not saying you shouldn’t be real, but not everyone enjoys seeing this type of post and I doubt a future employer would be impressed by the latest nasty joke.

The internet is a tool. And just like any other tool it can be used to build up or tear down. Be sure that whatever you say or do online or otherwise, builds up not only yourself but others too!

Philippians 4:8
New International Version (NIV)
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

My Precious “Wildflower”

Wildflower. She moves, First inside my heart, then my womb. I can’t see her form but her presence I know. When her first sprouting into light occurs I am mesmerized by the gift of this-my girl. her fingers and toes. And as she grows and becomes I am full with joyful anticipation and stirred with pain for the days lost and the hurts to come. I want to protect and preserve all youth and innocence. protect her budding heart from pain, but I must surrender her growing, celebrate her years. from tiny babe to adolescence. How did we get here? Days and nights become seasons, of learning and hoping. And I pray, oh how I pray. This girl will know and hold dear all I hope for her. To love Him, to love herself. To see how beautiful she is, in His eyes and ours. My precious Wild flower, I charge you…dance in the Son.

Stepping Into the Red Sea.

In Exodus 14 we read of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. Honestly, I must admit that it never really occurred to me how they must have felt stepping into the sea that day, until I too had a sea to cross. Confidently I spoke to others about how I was trusting God to part the Red Sea and provide everything I needed for this journey into his calling. But nothing can prepare the heart for the day God whispers, “I am parting the Red Sea today.” My first reaction was relief, and then joy. He is faithful and He heard my cry for help! But then the other emotions came-terror, fear, uncertainly. HOW? WHEN? HOW LONG IS THIS GOING TO TAKE? WHY NOW? ARE YOU SURE? This doesn’t make sense! I am afraid! I sadly confess, I am an Israelite at heart. Yet, like they I begin with fear and trembling…my faith-walk. Placing one step after another on dry land, where walls of water on either side threaten to consume. I will keep my eyes fixed on Him and take the next step even in fear and wonder…I have begun crossing the Red Sea of my doubt. Into what He has promised me… a hope and a future. For if we never cross our Red Sea, how can we ever reach our Promised Land. Praying for STRENGTH AND COURAGE for each of us in our journey of faith today. He is faithful.

“And Moses said to the people, “Fear Not, stand firm and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. Exodus 14: 13 & 14