Our mess - our ministry

"You cannot amputate your history from your destiny. Transparency is essential to your ministry." - Beth Moore

"Your mess can be your ministry." - Priscilla Shirer

Such wise words from such wise, God-following women.

In preparation for sharing my life story with others, I can see, on paper, just how messed up my life was before Jesus, just how poor my decision making was. Oh how thankful I am that He saved me from myself, that He redeemed me and restored my wasted years. Now, I have a story to tell and God is using my "mess" as my ministry. He can make something beautiful out of the ugliest things. He is amazing. He is Holy. He is my God!

,Amen

No eyes have seen, no ears have heard

We took a family vacation last weekend down to the coast. My children, (ages 3 and 5) had only been to the ocean once before, in Washington and Oregon where despite it's breathtaking beauty, the water is much too cold for "little Texans" to swim in. It is wonderful to look at, but a little more challenging to fully experience it. Considering that last beach trip had been two years ago, my kids had forgotten or just didn't realize the magnificence of experiencing, in person, one of God's most amazing creations, the ocean!

As we were approaching our destination, getting closer to the edge of dry land, Loren & Luke were getting oh so excited about seeing the bay and different little inlets of sea water. They kept saying, "it's the ocean, it's the ocean!" They were so excited about a very small piece of the actual gulf. They really thought that was where we were going, just to see those smaller inlets of water. It was not until we arrived at our condo, changed into our suits and set out for our first beach adventure that reality struck them. As we made our way over the boardwalk that lead out to the sandy beach, the path lead us up hill and then reached a point at the top where, at that moment, you can finally see the full view of the ocean waves in all their glory. As we walked up, and could hear the roar of the waves crashing, I could see the excitement building in them, although I could tell they still had no idea of truly what they were about to encounter. When we finally reached the full view of the ocean, their faces lit up like nothing I've ever seen. They both went absolutely nuts! They were squealing, "the waves, the waves!" and ran as fast as they could out to them. Nothing else mattered to them except getting to that water, as fast as they could!

At that moment, God spoke to my spirit. You see, my little children were getting so excited over something they thought was the final reward but it was only a preface to the grand plan that was really waiting for them. If they had simply settled for the smaller inlets and bay, they would have missed out on the brilliant beauty that lay just ahead and beyond in the ocean.

We are that way, aren't we? Don't we tend to "settle" for going through the motions of life, for what is most comfortable to us? Wouldn't it be worth it to take a little risk and go all the way, with God. He has a powerful, Holy Spirit-guided, adventure of a life awaiting us, if only we didn't stop, but kept moving toward Him, seeking true intimacy with Him and getting as close to the "real deal" as possible. Then, when we see His power, His glory, in all it's splendor, we can run toward Him, with all our might, just like my little children did, throwing off everything that bogs us down and jump right on in and thoroughly enjoy complete satisfaction that we can only find in His presence!

Job 42:10
"I had only heard about you before,but now I have seen you with my own eyes."

Come forth as gold

Job 23:10
"But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold."

This scripture, taken in context, has profound meaning. Job was tested in a way that is almost incomprehensible to us. He had it all and then God allowed it to all be taken away. Yet, through his tears and through his pain, he was still able to see God's hand in his life and still believe there was purpose behind his suffering. He was still able to praise God, his Father whom he trusted and loved!

We all have either experienced tough times, extremely difficult circumstances or know someone who has. After all, Jesus never said life would be easy. I am so thankful that even though we are put through the fire, it is so that we can come out as pure gold!

1 Peter 1:7
"These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Isaiah 48:10-11
"See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another."

But, take heart because:

Isaiah 61:1-3
"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor."

A "kept" woman

I Am a 'Kept' Woman

You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind,
But GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)

There were times when I thought I could go on no longer,
But the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15)

At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong,
But the LORD kept my mouth shut. (Ps. 13)

Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough,
But GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on,
the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Matt. 6:25 -34)

When I thought I would fall,
HE kept me up.

When I thought I was weak,
HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30)

- author unknown

Chosen to believe

Isaiah 43:10 (New Living Translation)

“But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord.
“You are my servant.
You have been chosen to know me, believe in me,
and understand that I alone am God.
There is no other God—
there never has been, and there never will be."

You knit me together in my mother's womb.....

"There are accidental parents but there are no accidental babies." - Rob Campbell

Psalm 139:13-18

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.

Priorities

What my priorities should be...
1. Worship the Lord
2. Respect my husband
3. Train my children

What my life might look like any given day???
1. Worship my children
2. Train my husband
3. Respect the Lord


Very wise words from a wise woman and friend, Carrie Rogers. This is something worth pondering!