Sunday, July 28, 2013

July 28, 2013

Good morning my sisters-

It's been a few days since I last sat down to write. I just can't seem to get up at 5:30 AM anymore and I leave for work at 7 so I am just going to start writing when I have at least 30 minutes, which just happens to be right now.

I took Friday off to be with my kids and it's been a great weekend.  We went shopping, out to eat and drove to OKC to see if we could get some bargains.  We laughed and I listened a lot as my sons and their cousins recanted stories and memories.  Oh to be 17 again. It reminded me of days when my brothers and I would talk until we fell asleep.  We were almost like one unit and our memories still remain.  I have lost one of my brothers but every car ride and every moment remains in the vault fir me to pull up.  No one can ever take that away from me.

During our drive, I got to talk to my son's girlfriend a lot and she reminded me of all the things I worried about at her age.  The biggest one was growing up.  I realize now looking back that we are a sum of our circumstances and every challenge got me to this point.  I might have worried about my future and I know I worried about losing my loved ones but in the midst God was raising me up to be the woman I am today.  Everything I have done has prepared me to help the next generation.  Christ taught me how to walk and talk.  He took me from a baby to a teen and now is raising me into being an adult.  That might sound strange since I have a 23 year old and a 17 year old but I'm not talking about chronological age; I'm speaking abut Christian maturity.  Going from being saved, into having a relationship and then walking that path while crossing the sea.  That's what God does with us.  He takes a babe and makes it into an adult by challenging us to look for Him in the unknown.  And as you all know, there is more of that these days than the known, right?

Some things about life will change and others will be constantly in motion but one thing remains steadfast and that's Jesus.  We will be born, grow up and perish but the legacy we leave will last for years to come.  What we choose to learn here on earth will help another and living to glorify God will last long after we are gone. If you're searching for answers, worried about tomorrow or just contemplating tomorrow rely on Jesus, He has all the answers.  God walked with Adam and Eve.  He spoke to Moses on a mountain.  He saved Isaac from being sacrificed and He chose you!

At the end of my life, I want to have memories filled with Jesus. This world is tough but He is true. Let Jesus in today and begin to experience God, so that future generations will know Him too.  May God bless you and keep you today!

Job 11: 13-17NIV:

     "Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out our hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free from fault, you will lift up your faces; you will stand firm without fear.
     You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.  Life will be brighter by noonday, and darkness will become like morning.

My prayer today:

O, Lord thank You for the power of the Cross.  Thank You for being steadfast in a world full of sin and thank You for choosing me and for taking the time to love me.  I know what a wonderful parent You are. I can lay in my bed and pray and when I do I feel Your love for me.  I am a sinner, which means I can try to be good but I will fail. For on my own no good deed can be done.  However,with You by my side, I can mature and I can pursue to know You more.  My thirst for You is like a man searching for water in the desert.  I cry and You hear me.  I sing and You are glorified.  I sit at Your feet and You remain true.  Today, I come before You asking You to raise my sisters to be one with You.  We are the mothers and daughters fulfilling your covenant while teaching the next generation.  Please help us Lord to be strong in You.  Make us women that will cherish You above all things and give us the words to minister to those that need You most.  I am so far from being perfect but I know who You are and every day I'm with You is another memory I cherish.  I may not always do the right thing or say the right thing but in my heart I know I'm being refined by YOU. Thank You for taking the lost and making each one of us women that will move the next generation to know Your name! In Jesus Name, Amen

Until tomorrow...

Thursday, July 25, 2013

July 25, 2013

Good morning sisters-

I've learned something new this week that I'm not really proud of.  I have found myself several times this week thinking that the sky is falling.  Haven't I been the one to write God is faithful?  I know I have and that's what makes this confession so terribly difficult.

I have encouraged all of you to look up and to not look at the circumstances.  I have quoted numerous scriptures relating to God's faithfulness and yet, this week I have found myself doubting.  I'm so angry at myself as I write this because I know better.  I told the Lord as I laid in bed worrying about things I can't control, how sorry I am for doubting His omnipotence.  I know better and yet, I couldn't get the facts out of my head and relate them to what I know to be true.  Jesus is faithful, how He goes about being faithful is really dependent on what He's doing in our lives.  There are things we can count on like being saved by grace, being loved unconditionally and that His word holds true for all time and for all things.  So why when an obstacle comes my way I feel complete dread, can't sleep and begin to fear?  Probably because I needed to have the sand shift under my feet so He could build a foundation that won't crumble at the first sign of trouble.

I'm sure you can relate.  And like me, I'm sure you hate when you doubt and fear.  So last night, I worked out and as I was contemplating all the things I think I know; I made a decision to give it to God and to repent for my lack of trust.  Even the sentence sounds bad.  REALLY!  I had to remind myself what kind of Savior I follow.  I really don't deserve Christ at all.  Thank goodness He loves me through myself.

Maybe me relaying all my misgivings and proclaiming that Jesus is all I need will help you get through today.  I love Jesus and I thank Him with my whole heart.  Anyone else would give up on me but not Jesus, He says He's there and I believe Him.  Otherwise, there would be no reason for me to fall at all.

Be well today my sisters and thank you for your faithfulness to Jesus.  He really loves you, even when your sinking.  May He bless you and keep you today and may you share your failures while proclaiming His glory!

2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV:

     Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Proverbs 20:6 NIV:

     Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?


My prayer today:

O, Lord, thank You for all that You do for me.  Thank You for being one with us and for loving us even when we are on sand.  Please take our feet and place them on solid ground.  Give us a foundation that we can be sure of and help us to quiet our minds from doubt.  We are weak vessels, always floundering and yet, you cover us and make us Yours.  I am so grateful that You are in my life and I will forever love You because You loved a retch like me.  I will never be able to proclaim You enough, love You more, or follow You as strongly as I like without You by my side.  You are the reason I get up in the morning; You are the song I sing.  Without You my life would be in ruin and I would wither away like the grains of sand.  Thank You for working on me and making me a strong house, giving when the wind is too high and standing for one thing and one thing only, You.  May You bless Your daughters today as we forge toward becoming more like You and thank You for changing my heart last night.  You are the light in my darkness!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Sunday, July 21, 2013

July 21,2013

Good morning my faithful sisters:

It has been a week since I last wrote and I have missed it so much. I traveled to California this week and got to participate in saving a vital account. What I realized as I did data entry for 3 days is that I don't like the job much but I appreciate those that do.  I also realized that titles are nothing. Supporting your company, taking responsibility and partnering with people is what truly matters.

Many think that menial jobs are beneath them but once I read a book "God is my CEO." In that book it talked about management and how to lead like Jesus and that's exactly the leader I desire to be.  Whether it's cleaning our offices or data entering returns, I want to participate because when our employees and other leaders see us do that we build credibility.

John came before Jesus to spread the word.  He told of someone greater than himself that would grace the earth. He was an ordinary man doing ordinary things until the day he was called to describe the savior.  Jesus also was ordinary. He was a carpenter that worked with His hands.  He wasn't a prince or King.  He wasn't wealthy or full of pride. He was an ordinary man who was destined to be the Son of God.  I think about that a lot and I remind myself often that I must be humble and never fill my head with pride. Pride is the downfall of man.  It was pride that kept the Pharisees from seeing the truth.  It was humbleness that took ordinary people and made them children of God.

Eternity comes to man, not by who you are or what you do; it's by grace we are saved. There are religions that believe in heavenly levels .  There are those out there that believe the harder you can work at being good the more you will receive. The truth is none of those things. You can't work your way to Heaven. Only through the Son of God can you enter eternity. One God, One level, One Savior!

John knew this and he was chosen to prepare the way. I'm sure many thought he was crazy.  We know now that he wasn't. His destiny was set long before the hour of his birth. He would be the man to speak of one greater. He would be the one to baptize the Son of God.

If God chose John for such a task, what's He choosing you to do today? The least of these was the most important human being to ever walk the earth. He was homeless, a gypsy of sorts and yet through His life, we are saved!  Carry that with you today and know that no matter where you live or what you do, you were chosen for this moment. May God be with you my sisters. I'm praying that He
takes the least of us and uses us to spread the good news.

John 1:12 NIV:

     Yet to all who did receive Him, to those that believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God-

My prayer today:

O, Lord guide the lost to a safe place of rest. Help them to see You. Give them the ability to humble themselves before Your throne so that they might know what we do. Give purpose to your people. Make us bold and humble. Take our pride and wash it with Your blood. We are at our best when we know that we can't do anything on our own. Today, I just want to thank You for lovin the least of us. We owe You our lives. May today be filled with You and the power of Your life on the lives of many. Thank You for the stories that remind us that by Your faithfulness we are saved. Grant us Your Holy presence today and take Your light all over the world!  In Jesus Name we pray.

Until tomorrow...





Sunday, July 14, 2013

July 13, 2013

Good morning sisters-

I have just brewed my coffee and thought it would be good if I would take some time and talk to my favorite people.  It's about 7 am in Kansas and the earth has been drenched with a much needed rain.  Our grass has become dry and our lawns are dying quickly.  The temperature was over 100 degrees every day and the land really needed the drenching the Lord gave it.

It's amazing that the land needs God as much as we do.  Right now, I can hear the birds chirping outside my door.  You don't hear that a lot when the temperatures are that high.  You also don't see them flying around.  However, I did see a beautiful site yesterday when I opened the door to let my dogs out.  There was a Monarch butterfly hopping from leaf to leaf and it was so astoundingly beautiful that I watched it for over 20 minutes.

God did this.  He created this and He feeds this.  He waters the earth, He shelters His people and He provides.  The world needs Christ!  Now if they would just let Him in!  The birds know it, the animals know it, the trees, the fields and the skies know it.  He calls, they hear.  We are just the ones denying the fact that He exists and that we know everything.

This week has reminded me that God is Sovereign.  It is His will and not mine.  He is in control of my destiny and in the destiny of others.  I had a business situation happen this week that could have been disastrous but I have a great leader in Christ.  I had to get on a plane to come home and trust that He would work it out.  My President and my God worked together as one and found an explanation that saved us completely.  I am so grateful to God for the learning moment and because I gave it to Him.  While I was 30,000 ft. above ground, God showed me that the power of this world is not in the hands of humans, it's in the hands of God.  I'm thankful to my Father for showing me and helping me release my fears and put them on Him.  He can carry them much better than I.

As I look upon the stats counter, I see that many women are starting to join us from all over the world.  There are women from Chile, Ireland, Russia and Germany.  Please pray for those women that are coming from every land, they are trying to follow God just like we are.  There are more that I won't be able to reach through the computer, like those that live in China and North Korea.  Countries are in turmoil and our missionaries are out there doing their jobs and loving God's people in difficult places.  Please stay vigilant and if Christ puts someone on your heart please pray for them.  They need your prayers.  One person praying for many is great but 100 praying is even better!

I will be traveling this week but my plan is to write this week.  I'm off to California so hopefully I will have Internet every place I am.  Last week that was not the case so I didn't get as much writing done as I wished.  Take care and know that I am thinking about you.  Please put God in the driver seat this week.  Give Him your worries, your fears and your praise!  He is an awesome God full of glory, power and might.  Use Him to conquer your demons and see what He does, not only in your life but for the creatures that live outside.  It's amazing to watch as the earth is drenched in His majesty.

Ezekiel 34:31 NIV

     You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am Your God declares the Sovereign Lord."

2 Samuel 7 NIV

    And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant-and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human!

Amos 3:8

     The lion has roared- 
     who will not fear?
     The Sovereign Lord has spoken-
     who can but prophesy?

My prayer today:

O, Lord thank You for the lessons You taught me this week.  My mind was racing, my heart was pounding and all I could think of was the disaster that was to come.  But then I calmed down, prayed and asked for Your guidance.  I took Your Word as true and gave You everything.  I surrendered my world and said, "Take it, it's not mine anyway!"  You took it and You methodically gave the answers to my boss and to me.  You were with us the whole way and I can't thank You enough for that.  I am amazed by You and the power You have to change events that seem disastrous.  There are many things going on in the world today.  Events that can't be stopped by man.  You have the power alone.  I can't do anything without You and either can this world.  The land in Kansas was dry and You made it rain. The earth shakes around the world and You calm it.  People run around full of themselves and You transform them.  We have no purpose far from You, so You come to us and give us purpose.  We are Yours, mind, body and soul.  Please guide us along this life, give us eyes to see and hearts to feel the mighty Spirit that was given to us upon Your death.  We need You Lord to go before us, to make us one and to be there when times are tough.  Be with my sisters today as they walk this earth, drench the lands, bring sun to the forests and food to the earth.  We are nothing without You!  Thank You for showing me that You are all I need!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

July 9, 2013

Good morning all-

I'm on my way to beautiful Minnesota for meetings.  I have to leave my beautiful family for 3 days and I'm just a little sad.  You would think that as much as I've had to travel over the years I would get used to leaving them.  I never do but soon they will leave me and then the pain of leaving them won't be so great.

I came home to a flurry of activity last night.  It was a rough day at work.  We are not winning some of the deals I thought we would and my brain keeps saying, can we win any of these?  Of course we can and will.  God will provide.  He always does.  I made a daring move coming to this company and I haven't even been there very long.  I continue to pray that God would open doors that I can't get into and that I would be true to Him.  I have to rely on Him for all things and quit thinking I can do anything.

I know I've talked about it numerous times on here but once again I find myself trying to rely on my own strength and not His.  How many of His disciples have gone down that path?  I can think of quite a few but always people come to the same decision I have, HE IS IN CONTROL.  Now all I have to do is remember it and let Him lead me down the road He has chosen.  It's hard for me.  I think I can control things but I can't.  I need to be patient and wait on Him and when I do wait on Him, then I know all the glory belongs to Him.  He is the master of my direction, even when I think I am.

I wonder if any of you are going through the same struggle.  Do you think you have control over more than what you really do?  Do you sit and say this is mine to take care of?  I do it all the time.  I get frustrated and full of worry and then I come to the same conclusion every time, give this to Jesus and He will decide what to do with me.

I feel blessed to have a Savior that watches over me and that directs me.  I am blessed to have a safe haven to go to and to surrender all my worries.  I even feel blessed when there are things I don't understand but I know He will eventually show me why they were what they were.  I need Him to direct my thoughts,  my feelings and my path.  I'm so lost without Him.  I've tried it both ways and always the best way is to have Christ lead me, take care of me and surround me.  Everything else dulls in comparison.

If you have been struggling with what happens tomorrow, give it to Christ.  He knows the way long before you get there.  I know because every minute that I have worried has been a minute lost.  After I have surrendered and let Him take the wheel, my outlook is so much better.  I hope you give Him your troubles today, those nagging negative thoughts that destroy your day and then, rest in Him.  He's waiting and He has a lot more time than you do.

As always, my prayers are with you my sisters.  I pray that this blog is a blessing to your life and I pray that God is using it to minister to those that need Him.  May God bless you and keep you today and may you find Him right where you live.  I'm praying for you and I thank you for anyone that prays for me.

Psalm 33:20 NIV:

     We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.


My prayer today:

O, Lord, let us surrender everything to You.  Give us the strength to get out of our own way and put you as our number 1 priority.  Make our outlook on life shine with the knowledge that You are in control of everything and that we are in Your control.  Take our independence and make it dependent on You for everything.  I love You Lord with all my heart and soul.  I come to You a new woman full of hope for today and not the despair that I felt yesterday.  You are my Lord and I seek You for all things.  Go before us today, protect us and keep us.  Please forgive our sins and help us all rely more on You.  One of my greatest sins is that I rely on myself far to much.  Take care of my sisters as they come before You and unite women all over the world.  We can't do it on our own but You can.  In Jesus name, AMEN


Until tomorrow...

Monday, July 8, 2013

July 8, 2013

Hello my sisters-

The holiday is over and I am back to work.  My body didn't want to get up this morning so I'm taking some time for lunch and to write to you.  A lot has happened this week.  I saw family, entertained, and finally got some much needed rest.  I did manage to pick myself up yesterday and go to church.  What a blessing the message was?  The question that has resonated on my heart is, "Do I believe that God is faithful."

Christ did promise his disciples that someone would betray Him and that Peter would deny Him three times. Jesus was betrayed by Judas and Peter did deny Him.  Peter chose the road to forgiveness because His bond with Jesus was strong. He had learned that Christ loved Him and even warned Him prior to His death. Jesus already knew what would happen.  On the other hand, Judas betrayed Jesus and upon that betrayal he chose to take His life. His sorrow was too great and he forgot about mercy.

Many Theologians think that Judas went to Hell. The Bible isn't very clear.  The author knew how Judas died and that he was so sad he took his own life but who are we to say what transpired those last moments before he died. I think we witness many things in this world and we put our own spin on those events.  It would be easy to say that an adulterer can't change or even someone on Meth.  But some people do change and their lives are forever changed.  They find Christ and the past is forgiven. I am going to leave the argument up to the the scholars for now because all I know is that Christ does save and that even when we sin, He forgives.

Hurt, anger, and resentment have driven nations to war, while men have fought over power and greed.  Numerous lives have been lost for a belief. We can argue all day long about faithfulness but when I look around there is only one person faithful to human kind and it's God.

If you're losing hope because of sin or circumstance, choose to look up.  That's what Peter did.  He never thought that he would deny Christ and yet he did.  He learned from that moment and realized that his fear ruled him but his life wasn't determined by his sin; it was determined by his journey.  We all are on a journey.  Our hope must rely on Jesus because without His faithfulness we really don't have anything to stand on.

Peter might have let down Christ but in the end he walked the path of righteousness.  We are on the same journey ladies and it's what we do with it that matters.  I hope you find encouragement in the following passage.  I have a client that may be getting divorced and I sent it to him today.  See, I believe that God is faithful, even when we aren't.  I'm praying for his marriage and hoping that God corrects their paths.  I know He can.  The real question is, "Do we believe He can?"  

May your day be full of hope for tomorrow.  Please pray for the Congo today.  There are missionaries with families there and the country is in turmoil.  We have sisters we have never met probably full of fear and waiting to see what corruption will bring to their land.  Don't forget that even though you may live in a peaceful place the world is far from being peaceful.  God is faithful so I'm praying for His protection and a spiritual movement in a corrupt world. As always, I think of you my sisters and pray that wherever you are God is ministering to your needs.

Psalm 119:116 NIV

Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, we come to you as one.  We pray for the lives that are full of sin and for those that are contemplating taking their own lives.  We know you are faithful but often, we forget that faithfulness is not always seen.  We want miracles and showings of your work and yet, you show us daily.  The sun continues to rise up and set.  The birds sing to You a new song and the wind blows through the trees.  All these are signs of Your mighty power and Your continued faithfulness across the world.  Be with us today and convict us of our sins.  We want to be one with You.  We desire to know You and to feel You and to be with You.  You are our Savior.  There is no one better than You.  Your love continues to shine through all the darkness and I for one am glad You're with me.  I, like many, look for the answers.  They aren't in this world, they reside in the Holy Spirit and in the Scriptures.  Be with me today and place women on my heart.  I am praying for the countries where unrest lives.  I'm praying for safety for my sisters and for their families.  I would ask that You would encourage our missionaries and help them to continue to spread the gospel.  They are Your hands and feet. Help us all to lift them up and to encourage their mighty deeds.  I love You Lord and for every day you live within me, I am so grateful.  Spread hope and encouragement among the nations and unite Your soldiers to be one with You.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...

Thursday, July 4, 2013

July 4, 2013

Good morning all-

Today we celebrate the 4th of July in America.  It's a day to remember our Independence from England and it's a time to remember the brave men and women that serve our country and provide that freedom to us.  I always like to reflect, maybe because I was a History major but I love to think about what was and how we got to now.  It's powerful.  The Boston Tea Party and the events that followed are a corner stone to who we are today.

Reading articles about the Middle East make me wonder what is to come.  Israel is looking at the events as they occur because it will impact their nation.  The world is looking at these events because there are those that hate anything Christian and then there is me wondering what God is doing in peoples lives as they live in this chaos.  Men are fighting for liberty and women and children are caught in the battle.  There is more to this unrest within nations.  There is a mighty spiritual battle happening and it's our duty to pay attention and to pray.  These men, women and children are all part of a greater plan and we should ask Jesus what our role is in their lives. 

Our path was set long ago.  We live where we live, we work where we work and we reside in the country God intended us to live in.  Christ said that we were to spread the word to every nation and to every people group in the world.  We have the tools to do so now but more importantly, we should be praying for every religion and every person.  Sometimes, we choose to only talk about God with those that will accept our views.  It's time that we use prayer and the unbelievable tools God has given us to speak, not just to those that will listen but to pray for those that would never listen.  Many will turn towards God.  It's hard to think that a person who has grown up as a Muslim can change to worshiping Christ but it happens.  It's hard to think that a murderer would find the peace of the Holy Spirit and yet they do.  It's hard to think that evil people can change to righteous ones but they do.  Only God knows who will be chosen and why.  We are here to pray and to petition to God to show the world His light.  He has given us His spirit to love and honor Him. 

The journey for many is tough right now.  There are countries where men are fighting a bloody war.  There are students that died to have the right to say what they feel and there are innocents that die everywhere because of hate.  As women, we have an incredible opportunity to be there for those that we don't know.  We can come together and pray as one for the Lord to move in the lives of the lost.  We have power even in our own homes.  What are you going to do with your power?

My heart goes out to the men and women that have fought for freedom.  There are spouses and children that have lost loved ones.  We should honor them by not closing our eyes.  We need to be praying that the Lord would be with them and that He would make us all strong and faithful.  Take the cross seriously and know that God did not put you on this earth to be impartial.  He put you on this earth to stand strong and to walk with Him through the roughest seas and through the deadly desert.  He gave us life and then He gave us a commission to love His people.  He didn't say to just love the ones that were loveable.  We are to love everyone and see how God moves.  Independence whether it be a nation or a person is a wonderful thing.  Freedom always comes at a price.  Our freedom does too.  Christ gave His life so that we might have eternal life.  It's time we take our head out of the sand and be one with Him.  Our power comes through Him, by Him and for Him.  People all over the world need to know that Christ saves!  Turmoil will continue.  We will see more wars, more chaos and more death until our Lord chooses to come back.  Until that time, let's take down the barriers of religion, of hate, and of misunderstanding and stand for what Christ did for you and me.  Let's pass it on...

Romans 8:18 NIV:

     I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Ephesians 3:12 NIV:

     In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Galatians 5:1 NIV:

     It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

My prayer today:

O, Lord I come before You today praying for the nations.  Independence comes at a great price and You understand it better than anyone.  You gave Your life for ours and we are indebted to you.  As I think upon the chaos in the Middle East, I ask that the turmoil would be changed into something more powerful, more lasting and more true.  I pray that the people in the nations that are under fire would find You.  I pray that the word would spread and that we as followers of You would be faithful and true.  My hope resides in my Father and not in man.  We are weak vessels, vacillating with the tide but You are strong and faithful.  Please help us to stand on the rock of salvation.  We need You Lord to penetrate the hearts of men, women and children all over the world.  We live for our own comfort, for possessions and for power.  Our sins are in the billions and yet, You love us anyway.  Forgive us of our sins and right our path as we seek You.  Hold onto Your faithful and give us a passion for the Word you left behind.  Take off the blinders and give people wisdom so that they will know the truth. I come before you this morning to pray for those that You love.  You are mighty in power and in majesty and we are humbled to be Your servants.  Continue to grow all of us and give us Your heart, Your mind and Your spirit.  Without You, we are nothing but with You we are strong.  May today be a day to celebrate the lives that were sacrificed for freedom and to remember that our freedom always comes with a price.  You Lord gave the greatest sacrifice to remind us that love remains the truest form of hope.  May You bless the nations today, help the people in countries that are lost and give the women that read this blog a sense of purpose today.  We unite in Your Holy Name for the good of mankind and for the gift You gave to us.  In Jesus Name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...


Wednesday, July 3, 2013

July 3, 2013

Good morning all-

Never doubt a true friend.  As I approached my house yesterday, I saw a beautiful plant sitting on the step.  All of the sudden I realized it was the anniversary of my brother's death.  He was a beautiful man.  He never said no and his friends meant so much to him.

On the fateful day that he died, we have pictures of him smiling and laughing.  He loved the outdoors and he loved Colorado.  Unfortunately, the two of them would meet and end up being the last place he would be alive.  That morning on July 2nd, my brother and 5 friends began a journey on one of the mountains in Colorado.  They had done it many times.  Although this mountain was new, they had watched hours of video, prepared, checked their gear and left to have a great adventure.  By 10 am that adventure would be over and my brother would be with God.  He fell thousands of feet and landed on the wrong side of the mountain, what happened next is a testimony to the love of friends.

His friends knew our family well but even in shock they knew they had to get him down.  The rest of the party went for help but it would be days before the police would retrieve his body off the mountain.  They knew they had to get him down.  Risking their lives they went to him and carried a dead 6 foot body weighing over 190 in muscle down the wrong side of the mountain.

I will never forget their commitment to him or the love they had for him.  His acts of raw kindness made two men risk their own lives to give his mother and father peace that he was off that mountain.  The years have not been easy for them.  They have both found Christ but the trauma of that day is ever present. When they see me, they get a tick in their eye and a sadness and yet joy comes across their faces.  My parents helped them by embracing them and not turning away.  Kurt took care of my mother and father.  He made sure that my dad's lawn looked great when he couldn't breathe well enough to mow all the time.  He made sure my mom got a plant every mother's day, just as if her son had brought it to her.

That's why I'm telling you, if you only have one true friend in this world, treasure her.  You never know what one friend will do over a thousand.  I will forever be grateful to these men who loved my brother and who continue to honor his memory.  They will never forget that day because they heard him yell as he fell, saw his lifeless body and carried him down the mountain.  His truck was at their house and we had to go and get it.  The day will forever be imprinted in their minds and in the minds of my family.  The blessing is that a true friend lasts far longer than a moment.

May God bless you with one true friend.  I hope He gives you someone to count on during your stay on this earth.  And of course, our greatest and truest friend is Jesus.  He loved us before we were born and will love us into eternity.  May God bless and keep you today and may His mighty hand be on you.  And for all of you that have lost someone, find comfort in Jesus, he never ends!

Until tomorrow...

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

June 26, 2013

Good morning all-

Things have been very hectic here.  My son broke his elbow and work has been demanding.  I can't believe that a whole week has gone by and I haven't written.  Well, at least I got to take some time today and share what God has been putting on my heart.

By nature, I am a very responsible person.  I take my job and my family very seriously as well as family and friends.  I am the 1st born of four children and from the day I could walk, I wanted to protect everyone.  It's almost a hindrance because I feel responsible for everyone and now I that I'm a manager I even  carry a greater amount of responsibility.

Last week was the first time I have ever had to fire someone from their job.  We did it nicely by laying him off but no matter how I spin it, I took someone's income away from them.  As the second in command it's my duty to see that the production of our product goes well and have the people to support the sales that we are making.  Unfortunately, this person was offered many opportunities but just couldn't cope in this environment.  I kept thinking that if I had more time with him I could have changed his course but after further introspection; I don't have the power to change a man's course at all.

I wish I could say that it comforts me to know that but it doesn't.  The only thing that comforts me is praying for him and asking God to do a great work in his life.  I prayed before the meeting on Friday and I prayed this weekend and before I got to work; I prayed one more time.  I pray for lots of people but I really pray for those that are in hard circumstances.  It comforts me to know that God is in control where I can't be.  I want to say that this situation would have been different, that I could have made things better and then I realize that only Christ can change a man's life and that it's my job to continue to pray for myself and the people I manage.  My job is to be a light unto this world and that's what I'm trying to do. If I hold Christ as the candle, then the candle will shine. 

I really had to take myself out of the situation this weekend and work toward building a team that will last. Obviously, I can't do that by myself.  So my prayer today is that God will lead me to be a good mentor, to have wisdom and to be a light in my personal and professional life.

I wonder if that's what happens when you're called into missions.  Did the disciples get to the point where they realized they were responsible for spreading the gospel but the people had to choose to be with Christ?  The Bible really doesn't go into the feelings behind the journey but just living today you can gather what they were feeling and why.

Last week taught me a couple of things.  The first is that being a manager is very hard. The second, I'm not in control of anything.  You would think I would already know this but as my mom would say, "it takes hitting the wall first and then you get it."  I got it alright.  I am in charge of the lives that God has given me but they are in charge of doing the job God called them to do.

Wherever you are today know that I can feel you.  I actually have sat down three times to finish this one blog.  It has been a journey this last week.  I am grateful to my God who loves me and who continues to mold me as I ask Him into my life.  Be a good steward of what He has given this week and praise Him for the lessons He teaches!

1 Corinthians 7:22-25 NIV:

     For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord's freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ's slave.  You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

My prayer today:

O, Lord, never let us take our salvation for granted.  Place upon our hearts the responsibility sent down through the ages.  Give us a passion to share your mighty presence and to teach your word.  You are Holy, Mighty, and Worthy.  We are slaves to our cultures.  We wait and test the waters before we proclaim Your mighty name.  Please break those chains and give us strength of character to shout Your name from the rooftops.  Many would take away the love we have for You. Enemies lurk in the corners, where they are not seen.  Give us wisdom to pick them out and to laugh at them, for we all know that the only way to You is through You.  Be with us today, wherever we live and give us a sense that You are beside us.  We falter, we sin and yet, when we come before You, You are near.  I'm sorry for not writing Lord.  The last week has been full of sorrow for me but You know that and You gave me the words.  I pray that the man I had to release will follow You and find His calling.  Bring forth Your people and unite them this week, Lord.  We need to hear from our Savior.  Thank You for being near me during this difficult time and for always showing me Your way is the right way.  Take care of my sisters as they proclaim You.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...