The word of His grace

I was reading the book of Acts this morning; a book so intense and yet one that I don't read from enough. We often get to chapter 4 or 5 and call it quits, but as you go further in Acts, there is tons, and I mean TONS to be learned.

I was reading in Chapter 20, Paul is saying his goodbyes to the Elders from the church in Ephesus as he is heading out on yet another mission. He sort of gives them a re-cap of what his life has been like there, as he has held nothing back in his ministry to the people. He is basically saying "hey, I've lived my life in front of you all; I have faced many trials and hardships and you all watched the way I walked through it, I AM NOT MOVED by any of it."

But what is so interesting to me is a warning that Paul leaves them with - he warns them that once he is out of the picture, wolves will come and will not spare them. He goes on to say that even amongst the group of them, men will rise up and begin speaking perverse things in an attempt to draw away people to follow them! Now remember, Paul is speaking to the Elders of the church. So these are men that you would look at in the natural and think no way, no way would these men try to draw us away from the good work that God is doing, no way would these men try to cause us to follow them, and not the Lord. But that's the warning, that even from among that group, there will be people that will try to cause division.

We see that very thing in operation all over churches today, people that rise up in an attempt to draw folks away from what God is doing, because they think they have the only "right" way. But I love what Paul says, after he gives them that intense warning, he even says he does it night and day through tears, that's how passionate he is about the church staying in unity - but I love Acts 20:12 where he says, "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified."

He warns them, yes, but then he leaves them in the hand of God, knowing that if they stay true to the 'word of His grace," that they will be just fine. And the same goes for us. If we stay true to the 'word of His grace,' we will be just fine. That's what builds us up, and that is what builds others up. If we stay connected to that precious grace, we will be a beacon of light and hope to a world that desperately needs Jesus. If we stay connected to that precious grace, we won't give the wolves an opportunity to lead us astray, we won't harken to a teaching that is not grace centered, we won't be moved by the trials and tribulations that come our way, because we know that there is a mightier hand that holds us up, that is centered on that precious 'word of His grace."

Smith Wiggelsworth said, "God's Son is placed in power over the power of the enemy; anybody who deals falsely with the Word of God nullifies the position of authority that Christ has given him over Satan."

Yikes. That's an intense statement. We have been given authority over Satan and any attempt he may throw at us to get us off track or to snatch us up like a wolf would do or to cause us to miss the mark. We have authority. But the moment we step outside the parameters of God's Word, we lose that position. We no longer have dominion! The moment we begin to put guilt on a person, the moment we allow a condemning word to flow out of our mouths, the moment we pass judgement on someone, that's the very moment we lose our position of authority. Why? Because the book of Romans tells me that "there is no condemnation for anyone who is in Christ Jesus." So to speak a word that is not centered around the "word of His grace," then look out, because it's going against what God is all about.

Of course we strive to live a righteous life, of course we are to encourage those around us to do the same, of course we are to live out scriptures that tell us to "walk as children of the light," (Eph.5:8) of course the Bible is our guide book as to how we should live our lives, "holy & acceptable to God." YES! Of course.

When we step outside of the center of Grace, we are walking in a very scary place. When we think we have the only "right" way to do things, it's a scary place. When we think that we somehow are superior to others, woah, look out, that's a scary place. When we heap rules & regulations on people, it's a scary place. When our words condemn, look out, it's a scary place. When we speak negatively about the Church as a whole, the Church that God absolutely loves, it's a scary place. You lose your position.

I want to encourage us all, the 2 of you that read this blog anyway, to heed Paul's warning. May we never step outside of the "word of His grace," in our lives. May everything we do flow out from the proper center. Sure, there is a time to help a fallen brother or sister, there is a time that God will use us to bring words of restoration to someone that may be living outside of God's plan for their lives; but when God gives those moments to us, they should always flow from the proper center. When all that we do flows from that precious 'word of His grace,' then our position never changes. We are able to stand on the God given authority of His Word for our lives. We are able to claim all the promises of God as a resounding "yes and Amen." I know I want that for my life. How about you?

The world can't contain it

John 21:25 is such a cool verse. It says, "And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen." I don't particularly have a thought about that verse off the top of my head, but I just read it and man, it's powerful. This is the last verse of the Gospels, before you get to the book of Acts where we get to watch the church begin to form. And it's because of this verse that the church took off! It's because of all the things that Jesus did, the things we know about and the "many other things He did" that we don't know about, that's what started the church. It's because people believed. And because we believe, we are the church. I love church. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I LOVE CHURCH! I have always loved it, ever since I became a Christian when I was a teenager. My world revolved around being at church. Not because I had to, but because I genuinely wanted to be there. It was always a safe place for me; a place where I felt accepted and a place that left me feeling better than I was when I entered the building. It literally makes me cringe when I hear people say negative statements about Church. Of course there are problems in every church, that's no surprise to anyone, but my goodness there are many churches that are doing some great things for the people and when I hear negativity about it, well it just upsets me. But that's another post for another time...or not. We believe. We believe because of what we know to be true from the Word of God. We believe that Jesus was born of a virgin. We believe that He lived a sinless life, doing miracles, changing peoples lives, delivering people, offering hope. We believe that He died on the cross, only to rise again on the 3rd day, to conquer death, Hell & the grave. We believe that He has prepared a place for us in Heaven, that where He is, we may also be. We believe. "I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written." Gosh that makes me smile. I have the biggest, cheesiest grin on my face right now. And no, it's not my awesome new coffee mug with the handle shaped like a Parrot that I got for $2.98 that is making me smile, although that does. It's that verse! It's just so.stinkin.cool. What else did He do? To me, what we know that He did is more than enough for me to believe. The things He did on this earth were nothing short of miraculous, it's enough for me to believe. It's enough to drive me through my day, with an attitude of thanks and praise. It's enough to take me into the house of the Lord on a Sunday to worship Him like they did in the book of Acts, because they believed. I believe. I know what the Bible says He did...and I know what He did for me. I know that I was born into a family that would face struggle, hardship, addictions & abuse. I know that as a result, the bitterness and anger inside of me only festered with age. I know that if I did not accept Jesus when I did, I know, I KNOW, that I would be a seriously messed up adult. And this I know, that if I were to write out every last thing that Jesus has done for me, be it large or small, the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. He has set my feet on a rock. He has quieted my anxious soul. He has made a way where there seemed to be no way. He has blessed me beyond measure in my life. He gave me a husband so handsome that I have separation anxiety when he is gone. He gave me kids that are so darn cute I could eat them for breakfast. He put me in a church that loves people so much it's contagious. He let's me live in a house so far above anything I could have ever asked for or imagined. I could go on and on and on and on...but the world can't contain it. The world can't contain it. Amen.

Look out Four year olds, Lily's on the scene

On May 7th, the most awesome Four year old was added to the rest of the Four year old kids around; all of them no doubt being dubbed "the most awesome Four year old" by their own parents. But clearly they are all wrong, because I have the most awesome Four year old! Lily Rae is such an amazing kid - and I don't use that word often as it's an incredibly over-used word. But she really is just that, amazing. So hang tight as I pen the usual birthday letter to my amazing youngest girl, Lily Rae. Lily, I just love that you have such a great personality! You are quirky as all get out. You have been dressing yourself since I can remember, and you don't really like to match. Most of the time, if I suggest something because it matches, you turn me down and say that you don't like to match. But then again, every so often you decide you do want to match. Hence the quirkiness that is you. You are attempting to grow your hair out as long as Rapunzels hair and you quickly shoot down the thought of a hair cut. Although you have bangs. And for that, I apologize. I chopped them so short a few years ago and hence, you are now stuck with them. We try to grow them out but you just let them hang in your face so it clearly is not working! You have a tender head and whine every time I comb your hair. Every time. You love your dad. Oh man, do you love that man! You demand snuggle time as often as you can. You eat his breakfast every morning with your own spoon. You have his breakfast dialed down you probably could make it yourself if you knew how to nuke oatmeal in the microwave. You often refer to him as "Handsome Daddy" or "Handsome one." (Excuse me, as you run in my room just now to report that sissy is labeling you a bad cuddler. Don't worry Lil, it's not true. You cuddle like nobody's business.) You have been going to Pre-School two days a week for a few months now and have grown to like it. You hate nap time, but you no longer cry for it so that's good. Miss Cindy is your teacher and you have grown quite fond of her. You cling to me at drop off still, but that's ok, so did your big sis when she went. You often tell me about your new best friend, but sadly you forget her name! I love your vocabulary! I love that you use the word "bummer," and "impressive," all in the correct way. You constantly have us laughing around here; always saying something so crazy and cute. It upsets you greatly to think about Jesus having to die on the cross. You will often randomly say, "poor Jesus. He had to die on that cross." But then you are happy again when you remind yourself that He is alive now, and that He died for us, and for Stockton. And then you think about Him protecting my Grandpa in Heaven. You are so tender. And yet, you are incredibly strong willed. It often poses a struggle, but I can't wait to see how that will plays out in the decisions you make as you grow older. Something I don't really want to think about, you getting older! You promised your dad you would not grow up and you are not doing very well at keeping your promise little Miss! You love big. You love your toys like they are members of the family. You love your stuffed Zebra (Zebby) as if she was real. Zebby was the best $7 I have ever spent. We love you Putter. I think we will always call you Putter. Putter, Putty, Putt Putt. For awhile there you actually thought that was your name. Although in recent weeks you have changed your name to Jasmine and Carly. But for today, you are my little Lily. Please stop growing. After all, you promised.

Saved

I'm sitting here on this dreary morning, cozy in my bed while the girls watch a little cartoons...Joei Kate is home from school with a sick tummy. So of course Lily feels the need to be sick as well since "we are not caring about her" like we are big sis. This plays out until dad brings donuts...then she perked right up. But then quickly became ill again once said donut was safely in her stomach.

Anyhow, I'm thinking about salvation this morning. If you look up the meaning of the word "salvation,"  it says, "the state of being protected from harm or risk."

Hmm. Indeed it is that. As Christians, we know salvation to be the day we are saved from the penalty of sin; the day we are guaranteed life eternal with Jesus in Heaven. Never again will there be a day that we won't exist. We will always be somewhere. Somewhere. I don't agree with Oprah on all the things she says but something I heard her say struck me interesting; she said, "we are all spiritual beings having a human experience." I thought that was really good. We will always be somewhere, living some kind of something. After my time is done living the human experience, I'm going to get to exist with Jesus! Wow. Oh that I may live out this human experience to the fullest potential...but that's another post for another time!

I am so thankful for the grace of God. The grace that draws people to belief in Him. The grace that I know beyond the shadow of a doubt welcomed my Grandpa into Heaven, regardless of the fact that Grandpa did not live his life for the Lord...but before he died, I know he came to faith in God. I know He believed. And because of that, I will one day see him again. So grateful for grace.

When I was 14 years old, I went on a trip to Mexico with the church we were going to at that time. My mom had since re-married a man that was a Christian, so we all started going to church. I was about 12 or 13 when that began; going to church that is. I didn't necessarily like church at the time, but I didn't not like it either. At that stage in life I was hanging out with friends and getting into things a girl my age ought not be getting into...my mom was none the wiser, as long as I went to church, she was happy.

So when a trip to Mexico was on the table, I was all for that! I remember driving on the church bus, staring out the window as we made our way through Tijuana. I recall feeling so hopeless as I stared at the poverty that presented itself outside of my little window. I wanted to help those wonderful people, but I had nothing to give them. I had nothing in me.

I honestly had no idea what I was in for, I thought it was a "fun" trip to Mexico. And it was fun. But what I didn't expect was salvation. I didn't expect it because I didn't even know I needed it.

By age 14, I was a mess of a kid. I had been so wounded by things in my childhood that the issues plaguing me were enough to send me down a very, very dark path...a path on which I believe I was already stepping into, one toe at a time. The choices I had been making up to that point were not wise, not for a young teenager. Heck, not for anyone!

I was steeped in hurt, pain, bitterness, anger, hatred, insecurity and fear. I was a mess. And that's putting it lightly.

I needed to be protected from harm or risk. I needed salvation.

The first night in Mexico we gathered for a service. There was preaching. I remember parts of the message that Coco Perez shared that night; he spoke out of Joel 2. But I remember salvation. I remember going to the altar that night to be protected from harm or risk. I remember going to that alter that night and surrendering my life to Jesus. I was saved! Gloriously saved!

I don't use the word "saved" often when referring to people accepting Christ in their hearts, but I should. Because when we accept Jesus, when we recognize the need for salvation, we are indeed being saved. We are being saved from a life of fear. We are being saved from a life of uncertainty. We are being saved from a life of hurt and of pain. We are being saved. Oh my goodness we are SAVED!

Sure we still face all the "junk" the world throws; but we are protected from harm or risk! Why? Because ultimately, our home is Heaven. In this life we will face trials of many kinds, but my goodness, we are just passing through. This is a stop on our journey, this thing called life. One day, I will face Jesus. I will look at Him with the same eyeballs I'm looking at this lap top with. I will look my Savior straight in the face...that is, if I can pull myself up off the ground. What a savior. He saved me.


I could go on and on...but today, I guess I'm just thankful to be saved.

My cool kids.

Lily's getting on her Rock n Roll outfit right now...watching the Fresh Beat band, since, according to her, they are "back in business!" Apparently they left for awhile. Her rock n roll outfit consists of a skirt, shirt and a jean jacket. She's channeling her inner 80's self I guess. Oh I wish you could hear her singing...oh now she's looking for Rock n Roll shoes. This ought to be interesting.

She will be 4 next month! I can't believe how quick they grow. My goodness this was just her a few days ago right?



Lily is a character, let me tell ya. It is never a dull moment with her! She's creative, loving, and absolutely hilarious! And que toys being thrown around her room now as she is moving from Rock n Roll to ballet.



I love that picture, Joei Kate holding Lily Rae for the first time! Look at Joei Kate's face, she is not quite sure what to do or how to react. She is so very cautious, she still is. That's her nature. I've been blessed with some great kids! Joei Kate (whom still is sticking to the whole "Kate" as her name at school, but she can be Joei at home business) is such a neat girl. She is nearing 8 years old, that's crazy to think about! It's fun watching her morph into an older kid. She's not a little babe anymore, she's my big girl now! Joei is very cautious, even still. She's a compassionate kid & very gentle natured. It's been cool watching her as she learns about life - the good, the bad & the ugly. Looking at life through her eyes is so fascinating.

Well I'm not real sure where this post came from, but there ya go, a little glimpse of my babies.

Ugly?

Our little family recently visited the Oakland Zoo; we had never been and wanted to take them to a zoo that was new to them. It was a really great zoo! Although Joei Kate was concerned about the lack of the Ostrich. I concur.

At any rate, they have a huge Bat exhibit! Needless to say, after looking at more bats than one person should see in their lifetime, I felt itchy. And scared. And like things were crawling on me. But I digress.

Fruit bats are uuuuuugly (said like the Hyena from The Lion King.) I mean, U.G.L.Y you aint got no alibi, you ugly. Hey hey, you ugly. Did I mention how ugly they are?

They just hang from the fence, upside down, wings wrapped around them all snuggly like; which is good cuz aint nobody else gonna snuggle a bat. Some of them would open their wings and they were massive! And veiny and gross. And ugly.

Once we moved past the ugliness (Ok, I never really moved past that) and my husband's extreme urge to shoot them, (yes, apparently a hanging fruit bat just screams to him "SHOOT ME NOW") I started to read about the fruit bat.

They have purpose. As ugly and freaky as they are, those suckers have purpose. They fly around, eating fruit and spitting seeds and parts of said fruit all over, thereby pollinating fields, and giving us fruit. They help forests, they help plants, they help us. We don't even realize how much we need the fruit bat to exist in our world, but we do.

I'll admit, my first instinct was to look past the exhibit, not to even pay attention to the creepy bat that my husband longed to shoot. But I was so intrigued by the ugly I had to look closer.

I often think the same thing can be said for people. Not the ugly part, because I don't believe anybody is ugly. I don't even use that word much, except when talking about bats. And spiders. And as I also discovered at the zoo, millipedes. But I don't say ugly much. It's not a word I care for.

That being said, like that fruit bat, we often look past people. We make a snap judgement on a person, based on their outward appearance, or our perception of them. Maybe they are different than us. Maybe they dress different than what we think works. Maybe their personality is the polar opposite of ours. Maybe they just don't fit in. Ohhhh. You expect to hear that last statement when in the midst of a group of teenagers right? "They just don't fit in."

Sadly it's not just amongst teenagers, it's everywhere. It's in our homes, in our schools, in our communities and sadly, in our churches. They just don't fit in. Tears come to my eyes as I type this because I've seen it happen all too much, and I'll admit that I've been guilty of it as well.

You ever been the one "that just didn't fit in?" I have. And it's ugly.

The fruit bat has purpose. How much more purpose do we have? If God created that fruit bat for a reason, than my goodness, what did He create us for? Oh if we even had but a glimpse of the greatness that resided in each individual person, can you imagine what this world could be? Greatness. Not ugly. Not creepy. Greatness.

So I learned a lesson that day at the Oakland zoo. Well, I learned a few actually. I learned that my handsome man really likes to shoot things. Thankfully, not people. Most the time.

I also learned that Lily will more than likely be the person that breaks into the zoo at night to free the animals - as she screamed "The camels were made for the desert, not the Zoo, that's why they are asleep!" We will wake up one day to Elephants in our backyard. It's inevitable.

And I learned that something that has caused me fear, and many others, has purpose. The fruit bat, creepy as it is, has purpose.

Maybe, just maybe, the fruit bat isn't so ugly after all.

Jumped

2 Chronicles 20:15-17
New King James Version (NKJV)
15 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”

If anyone needs encouragement on this Monday morning, take strength today in knowing that the battle does not belong to you, the battle belongs to the Lord! That situation you are facing that seems insurmountable, it's not your battle, it's Gods. The marriage problems you face today, they belong to the Lord. The family problems you may face today, they belong to the Lord. Your financial struggles belong to the Lord. Your physical ailments, they are Gods fight. The anxiety that rules your mind, it belongs to the Lord. The depression that may try to plague you today, it belongs to God. It's not our battle to fight! We can't fight it. It's too much for us.

Have you ever been in a fight before? I have. Well, not really, I got beat up actually so you can't really call it a fight. I was 13 years old at the time and was walking home from a friends house and came upon a group of girls that proceeded to beat the ever lovin' daylights out of me! It was a very scary feeling, totally a helpless feeling actually. I wish I could say that I fought back with all that was in me, but I didn't. I'm pretty sure I just fell to the ground and let them pummel me until they had their fill, then I got up and hobbled home crying. I was just around the corner from my house so I didn't have far to hobble. And cry. Not my brightest memory to say the least!

I share that to say that fighting is not fun! Well, not that I would know, seeing as I didn't fight back. So I should say getting beat up is not fun. And yet, we allow ourselves to get beat up on a daily basis. We carry all these huge problems on our backs, we let them build up in our minds and become even bigger than they actually are! You ever done that? You play this thing up in your head to be so massive of an issue, and once you speak it out loud you realize the insanity of what's gone on in your head? Ok, maybe that's just me.

But we get beat up. The problem overwhelms us to the point that we can't see an answer anywhere on the horizon because our vision is so blurred from the beating.

I love how the scripture continues:
2 Chronicles 20:20-22 (NKJV)
20 So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:

“Praise the Lord,
For His mercy endures forever.”

22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.

When they began to sing and to praise, the battle was won! That's the ticket folks! The battle is won in our praise. The battle is won when we stand up, square our shoulders and refuse to get pummeled! The battle is won when we hand the situation over to God, and begin to praise Him for who He is; how merciful He is to us. When we take that thing off the pedestal in our mind, giving it over to God, we are on the way to victory. Our praise seals the deal.

Because even if the problem does not right itself immediately, even if God's answer is not made ready in our preferred time frame, the victory is ours the moment we praise. The moment we take our eyes off the issue and put them onto God's goodness, we win. The devil has no place to play in our mind when we do that. And when we kick the devil out of his playground, HE HAS NO HOLD ANYMORE!

So today I encourage us all to sing, to shout, to praise God for all He has done in our lives thus far. When our focus is off the problem, the solution is being made ready.

And when you are walking home from your friends house, maybe just walk a little faster ;)