It is 4:09 am and I am still awake. I was feeling very discouraged yesterday and it lasted until a few minutes ago. I have been wrestling for hours as to why this discouragement has been following me lately. It is so beautiful right now in Flagstaff!! Summer is my favorite time of year with its long days and beautiful colors!! I love being outside with my bare feet in the lush green grass!! My family is healthy and happy!! My precious baby is home for the summer!! So I struggled with this question for hours with no answer in spite of several attempts to distract myself.
This led me to pray a different prayer. I stopped asking; "Why?" and I started asking; "Lord, help me to be lifted out of this discouragement." And, of course, my perfect and gracious God did a miracle in my heart!! He gave me a revelation of something so exciting, I felt like a superhero jumping out of the deepest of pits. So I want to share it with you.
As I asked God to help me, I was reading through the scriptures and came to a very familiar passage. But in the familiar, I found a new and exciting revelation. I was reading my Amplified Bible (which is a version of the bible that includes Greek and Hebrew word definitions in the text). I was reading 1 Corinthians 13 which is usually referred to as the "Love" chapter. In verse 8, it says; "Love never fails..." and then defines this phrase with the words; "never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end." This was very exciting to me!! I had never understood this to mean that love never fades away, becomes obsolete, or comes to an end!!
Later in the passage in verse 13, my Amplified Bible gave a beautiful definition of love. It defined love as being; "true affection for God and man, growing out of God's love for us and God's love in us." As I read this, I related so much to the statement. How many times have I been so aware of the extravagant way God loves me and seen it overflow to all who are around me. When I comprehend the way God loves me, it spills out all over the place!! Being filled with this kind of love gives me a true affection for God and man. Meditating on this concept makes me realize God's love in me gives me a true affection for people; even those who might be considered my enemies. This is supernatural!!
This new insight filled me with hope! My discouragement seems so far away!! Each day as I go through life letting the love of Jesus spill out with true affection, I am doing something that will never fade away. Each and every moment of love will never end. It will last forever and follow me and everyone else into eternity!! Though the gifts I have and the causes I support will be lost to this life on earth, no moment or act of love will ever be lost!! These actions are eternal!!
Think about this revelation. Think about how many times this true affection for God and man has happened in our lives!! Hugs, kisses, high-fives, acts of compassion, sacrifices made for others, and other moments like these are critical! They are never to be lost! Wow!! I am ready to face today with the joy of knowing I can create eternal moments by staying close to Jesus and allowing love to flow out of me!! It is awesome to live knowing; "Love Never Fails!!"
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Impossible Is Nothing!!
Can you imagine the US Women's soccer team beating powerhouse Brazil after playing with only ten players for the last 55 minutes of the game? You can only imagine this if you believe what the Nike marketing team has pushed in their ad campaign---"Impossible is Nothing!!" As I watched this World Cup Quarterfinal game this morning, I witnessed that every American player believed this whole-heartedly!! After a 55 minute show of courage and determination by the US players, Abby Wombach, the 31 year old US veteran forward, scored the latest goal ever in World Cup history to tie the game and put it into penalty kicks!!
The amazing thing about this game was when all the odds were stacked against the US team, they did not give up!! They kept on fighting!! They played one player down because of a red card in the 66th minute. They were victim to several bad calls by the referee. But the confident attitude of the players was never broken! They just would not lose!! Even after two overtime periods and into the stoppage time, they kept the pressure coming until the job was done!!! What amazing heart!!!
I loved watching this game!! In fact, I stood for the last several minutes fervently praying for justice!!! Moments like these fuel my energy to fight in life when the odds are stacked against me!! God has created us to fight!! We are born to be warriors!! Ephesians 6:11 tell us to; "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Why would we be encouraged to put on armor if we were not called to be warriors? Warriors in spirit!!
How do we battle? We battle in prayer!! We battle in faith!! We battle in action!! We battle in endurance, courage, and perseverence!! We overcome the obstacles however we can and with the help of God, we achieve the victory!! One of my favorite scriptures is found in Romans 12:21; "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
When the US women took the field, they were not battling against evil but, at some point, they began to battle injustice. And as I watched, I saw them gain determination and play even harder. They did not waste time complaining. They continued fighting for the victory which they most certainly believed belonged to them. These moments make me proud to be an American!!
I will always remember this game as an example of how to fight! I don't only believe, but I know the victory belongs to me in Jesus. I know this because I am on the team of good. I am on the team of Jesus. No matter what comes at me in this world, I will believe for the victory!! 1 John 5:4 says; "For everyone who is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith." The word victory in the greek is translated nike. I love it!! Nike means victory--"Impossible is Nothing!!"
Will we follow the example of the US women's soccer team and believe for the victory in the battles we fight in this world? Are we going to believe even when it looks impossible? Jesus has given us the victory--Nike!!! Let us remember, when all odds are against us... "Impossible is Nothing!!"
The amazing thing about this game was when all the odds were stacked against the US team, they did not give up!! They kept on fighting!! They played one player down because of a red card in the 66th minute. They were victim to several bad calls by the referee. But the confident attitude of the players was never broken! They just would not lose!! Even after two overtime periods and into the stoppage time, they kept the pressure coming until the job was done!!! What amazing heart!!!
I loved watching this game!! In fact, I stood for the last several minutes fervently praying for justice!!! Moments like these fuel my energy to fight in life when the odds are stacked against me!! God has created us to fight!! We are born to be warriors!! Ephesians 6:11 tell us to; "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Why would we be encouraged to put on armor if we were not called to be warriors? Warriors in spirit!!
How do we battle? We battle in prayer!! We battle in faith!! We battle in action!! We battle in endurance, courage, and perseverence!! We overcome the obstacles however we can and with the help of God, we achieve the victory!! One of my favorite scriptures is found in Romans 12:21; "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
When the US women took the field, they were not battling against evil but, at some point, they began to battle injustice. And as I watched, I saw them gain determination and play even harder. They did not waste time complaining. They continued fighting for the victory which they most certainly believed belonged to them. These moments make me proud to be an American!!
I will always remember this game as an example of how to fight! I don't only believe, but I know the victory belongs to me in Jesus. I know this because I am on the team of good. I am on the team of Jesus. No matter what comes at me in this world, I will believe for the victory!! 1 John 5:4 says; "For everyone who is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith." The word victory in the greek is translated nike. I love it!! Nike means victory--"Impossible is Nothing!!"
Will we follow the example of the US women's soccer team and believe for the victory in the battles we fight in this world? Are we going to believe even when it looks impossible? Jesus has given us the victory--Nike!!! Let us remember, when all odds are against us... "Impossible is Nothing!!"
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Accident????
On vacation in Lake Tahoe, we were leisurely on our way to dinner to enjoy the company of family, when all of a sudden there was a loud BANG and a sudden JOLT to our car. I turned around to check on the screaming coming from the back seat and was asked; "What happened?!?" Through the shock, I realized we had been involved in a car accident.
As I assessed the situation, it was clear I needed to call 911. My daughter, Sarah, had a large bump on the back of her head. She was crying in severe pain. I stepped outside to find the car that had hit us squished like an accordion. The horn was going off. People were filling the street to see if they could help. We found a trained emergency worker who stabilized my daughter's neck. Someone told me there were no passengers in the other car and the driver was ok. So we prayed and waited for the ambulance.
In the craziness of the situation, I asked myself; "What just happened?" We made a right turn after stopping at a three way stop. The other driver was looking into the setting sun and clearly did not see the stop sign. He came through at about 40 or 45 mph and slammed straight into the back of our car just as we began to accelerate after our turn. My body began to shake as I imagined what might have happened if we had been hit in the process of turning. Our car would have been t-boned. The injuries would have been much more serious!! Immediately, I thought of Psalm 91. It is a psalm of protection I often pray for my family. In verse 11, it says; "For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." In the middle of the chaos of this accident scene, I felt the peace of the protection of God. I looked at the back of our car to find only a few dents and a bumper in bad condition. We were clearly blessed and protected by God!!! It was so evident and I thanked Him as I prayed.
A few minutes later, as I was waiting outside of the ambulance to find out if Sarah needed to go to the hospital, Laura, my youngest daughter came and tapped my shoulder. She took me to the side and made me aware of the condition of the driver of the other vehicle. At this point, we had been told he was drunk. I looked over to see him sitting on a rock weeping. Laura said; "Mom, look at him. We need to let him know everything is ok." I recognized the compassion of Jesus in her eyes. Sarah had many people caring for her, but this young man was alone and suffering.
When we arrived at his side, I could see his tears and noticed he was mumbling the words; "I am sorry. I am so sorry..." I could not help but rub his shoulder and let him know we were not seriously injured and everything would be ok. Laura and I kept consoling him and I saw his deep pain and bondage.
I am sure this guy did not aspire to be a drunk driver who caused physical and emotional pain to others. He was in a desperate state!! He was hurting and we noticed and cared. Why? Jesus cares!!! If we read the gospels we see the compassion of Jesus both toward the innocent and the guilty.
Was this an accident? I believe it happened for a purpose. It made my family aware of a young man named Mark who is suffering. It is definitely supernatural love that causes me to pray for Mark and care about him as I have suffered personally with whiplash and have watched my family suffer because of his selfish and foolish actions. But, this kind of supernatural compassion is unavoidable when we see through the eys of Jesus.
It was a miracle when we got back into our car and drove off to continue our vacation and eat a nice dinner without a trip to the hospital. But, I am praying for a greater miracle. I pray this young man, Mark, will see God's love and realize his value and purpose in this world. I pray he will understand this was no accident!!!!
As I assessed the situation, it was clear I needed to call 911. My daughter, Sarah, had a large bump on the back of her head. She was crying in severe pain. I stepped outside to find the car that had hit us squished like an accordion. The horn was going off. People were filling the street to see if they could help. We found a trained emergency worker who stabilized my daughter's neck. Someone told me there were no passengers in the other car and the driver was ok. So we prayed and waited for the ambulance.
In the craziness of the situation, I asked myself; "What just happened?" We made a right turn after stopping at a three way stop. The other driver was looking into the setting sun and clearly did not see the stop sign. He came through at about 40 or 45 mph and slammed straight into the back of our car just as we began to accelerate after our turn. My body began to shake as I imagined what might have happened if we had been hit in the process of turning. Our car would have been t-boned. The injuries would have been much more serious!! Immediately, I thought of Psalm 91. It is a psalm of protection I often pray for my family. In verse 11, it says; "For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." In the middle of the chaos of this accident scene, I felt the peace of the protection of God. I looked at the back of our car to find only a few dents and a bumper in bad condition. We were clearly blessed and protected by God!!! It was so evident and I thanked Him as I prayed.
A few minutes later, as I was waiting outside of the ambulance to find out if Sarah needed to go to the hospital, Laura, my youngest daughter came and tapped my shoulder. She took me to the side and made me aware of the condition of the driver of the other vehicle. At this point, we had been told he was drunk. I looked over to see him sitting on a rock weeping. Laura said; "Mom, look at him. We need to let him know everything is ok." I recognized the compassion of Jesus in her eyes. Sarah had many people caring for her, but this young man was alone and suffering.
When we arrived at his side, I could see his tears and noticed he was mumbling the words; "I am sorry. I am so sorry..." I could not help but rub his shoulder and let him know we were not seriously injured and everything would be ok. Laura and I kept consoling him and I saw his deep pain and bondage.
I am sure this guy did not aspire to be a drunk driver who caused physical and emotional pain to others. He was in a desperate state!! He was hurting and we noticed and cared. Why? Jesus cares!!! If we read the gospels we see the compassion of Jesus both toward the innocent and the guilty.
Was this an accident? I believe it happened for a purpose. It made my family aware of a young man named Mark who is suffering. It is definitely supernatural love that causes me to pray for Mark and care about him as I have suffered personally with whiplash and have watched my family suffer because of his selfish and foolish actions. But, this kind of supernatural compassion is unavoidable when we see through the eys of Jesus.
It was a miracle when we got back into our car and drove off to continue our vacation and eat a nice dinner without a trip to the hospital. But, I am praying for a greater miracle. I pray this young man, Mark, will see God's love and realize his value and purpose in this world. I pray he will understand this was no accident!!!!
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