Changing Lanes

Hi Friends!  It's so good to land here again.  I've been away for a while working on a cookbook and writing a good bit on Facebook, but I came back today to share a couple of thoughts and a funny story for you.  I hope you enjoy them and that they will speak to your heart today.

Here's the funny -- On Mondays, I have 2 sessions of voice instruction at a local Performing Arts Center in my home town - one at 4 and the other one at 5. Before leaving to go, I checked the weather map and read that the severe storms that were in West Alabama would likely just be "light" showers by the time they reached Central Alabama -- soooo, at 4:30 when my first session ended - 2 sweet dance students knocked on the studio door asking if I was the lady with the convertible - and warned that it was about to rain...I explained that there wasn't much I could do about it and they looked at me so funny (as most of you know the top to my convertible is stuck in the "top down" position and most days this is such a non-issue") Well, needless to say, the storms weren't light showers - and by the time my 2nd session ended, I was getting pretty interesting looks as I strolled out of the studio to go to my car. One sweet lady said, "Oh honey, your beautiful car...you're going to get so wet...I told her - oh well, there's a silver lining to every cloud - my car needed washing, I have a chance to cool off and y'all can pray I don't get struck by lightning! She just laughed and said - I sure will!! So I get out to my car, and yes, the seats were wet, it was still raining (not hard though) but most of the "stuff" in the car was not much more than damp.  I started to open up my umbrella and drive with it over my head but thought, you know, people are going to think I'm nuts for driving in the rain with the top down - why give them more ammunition!  So, instead, I turned on the heated seats, defrost and headed home.  Yes, there were plenty of strange looks as I drove home and yes, I was wet and it was still raining.  There were even a couple of flashes of lightning - and for the first time in my memory, I actually heard thunder across the sky above me and it sounded like fireworks popping.  But I arrived home safely, and had a chance to wipe several layers of pollen off my seats and car for the first time since Spring arrived.  It was pretty funny - but truly, there is a silver lining in every cloud - and if that sweet lady did pray for me - her prayers were answered!  :)

Funny how driving seems to be the focus of my writing lately -- I don't know if it's because I'm driving a lot or I'm just thinking about journeys more.  Probably a little of both.  The title of my blog today comes from a post that I wrote on Facebook this past week.  It's something that has stuck with me and I just felt like I needed to share it in this format today.  Here goes:  

Changing lanes...sometimes God asks us to take a step of faith and that step produces more questions...another challenge to seek Him...He says, change lanes (move out of your thought process and into Mine) and in doing so, He reveals more of Himself...changing lanes can produce clearer vision or present roadblocks...but if it's done in obedience, then the road block may just be an opportunity to know Him better.

How often in our lives do our circumstances unexpectedly change - no matter how it comes it's an opportunity to seek the Lord and get to know Him better.   Seasons change, people come in and out of our lives, aging, sickness and death are part of living and wrecks, traffic jams and road blocks are certain whether real or metaphoric.  The One Who never changes is God - isn't it wonderful to know that in all these circumstances, challenges and relationships, there is one constant that we can depend our lives upon...Jesus.

Have you experienced a traffic jam, road block, wreck in your life causing a need to change lanes?  Are you experiencing frustration in the "slow lane" or has the "fast lane" worn you down where it's time for a "rest stop"?  Do you need to take your car (body, mind, spirit) in for service so you run more efficiently?  Maybe it's time to take a new route altogether or make a U-turn and head back home...whatever the case, if traffic in your life is causing restlessness in your spirit, it's likely that it's time to change lanes.

In my own life, traffic was bumpy but moving steadily but a road block caused me to change lanes, I see clearer...but I'm turning a corner and can't see what's ahead - but He can and that's all that matters.

May you be blessed and encouraged today and always!! Until next time...don't fear driving in the rain!! :)  Love ya!  Amy

Thoughts on Driving in the Rain

April Showers bring May flowers -- isn't that the old saying??  Most of you know that I drive a convertible.  But what you may not know is that my convertible has a minor issue -- the top is stuck in the "down" position...in other words, I can't get the top to go back up at the moment.  The hydraulic fluid has drained out due to a leak in one of the lines and I would have to take it to Atlanta to get it fixed -- blah blah blah --

So, I've decided to make the best of the situation and just enjoy it and trust that I'm going to be fine - rain or shine!!

Over the last few weeks, I have had so many opportunities to either pray the rain away or praise the Lord during a brief shower.  I've had opportunities to cool off from the heat of the day riding along with my sweet dog, Cash (who, by the way is looking at me like I'm crazy when we are sitting at a traffic light getting soaked!) and I've had a chance to have friends pray for my safety and to stay dry when traveling to meet them and a stray shower comes through.

This past Thursday, I was in the grocery store and knew that a storm was looming later in the evening and so I had timed it so that I would finish before the storm got close.  I was checking out when my friend, Ginger, came running over to me saying, "Girl! I've been trying to call you -- you need to GO!!  There is a major storm coming and it's headed our way NOW!!"  So she and her daughter, Rebecca, run with me to the car and help me load all my groceries in and they send me off on my way -- they are praying and I'm looking at the sky -- a HUGE wall cloud is headed right in the direction I'm traveling!

I had just had my hair done the day before (it is Easter week after all) and was concerned about it getting wet too soon -- but I was honestly more concerned that a big lightening bolt or tornado might drop out of the sky at any moment.  I looked off to the water and saw this big beautiful full moon and I began to sing -- I sang as loud as I could praising God and trusting Him to carry me home regardless of the storm winds that were blowing...

I know you're all thinking - this girl's crazy!! But honestly, to have my car fixed would cost more than it's worth and to buy gas to travel to Atlanta is just something I'm not quite willing to do right now...so think on...

Anyway -- as I slowed down to turn off the highway and onto the road where I live, I said, "Lord, I trust that you are going to get me home before this thing hits...and I meant it.  I DID trust the Lord -- I could still see that beautiful moon and I knew that I was less than a mile from home....sprinkles started and the wind was beginning to blow hard...I kept driving...I kept trusting and singing and praising the God who promised to protect me...even this sheep who was stuck outside in threatening weather...

As I pulled into my driveway, a big drop fell on my windshield.  I opened the garage and drove in - lowered the door and there I was, safe and sound -- then I remembered my cats were outside.  I jumped out of the car and ran outside only to find that one cat was waiting by the door to get in but the other one was no where to be found....I ran in the house and lowered the windows and let the dog into the garage with the cat and when I got back downstairs I opened the front door and yelled for the other cat and moved the furniture so it wouldn't blow off -- no little cat to be found....

Again, I had to trust that God would protect her -- and I did.  I left the door open into the garage and hoped she'd run in while I unloaded my groceries from the car.  She never came...I was fighting worry very hard but I kept moving.

About that time, James walked in and told me he had been worried sick trying to find me out in the storm -- (did I mention that my phone battery had died and I had no idea until I got home??) Anyway, I told him I wasn't able to get Mildred in (little cat) -- so he went out to look for her -- it wasn't but a minute and he walked back into the kitchen carrying her -- she was dry and safe.  I knew she would be -- God is so faithful.

There have been times in my past where I must confess that I haven't had this much trust in God.  I've given lip service to it and just hoped for the best -- but I can honestly say that in this storm - I truly trusted that God would take care of not only me but of my little cat and of James and the house and that all would be well.  There was peace I couldn't explain and just a relief of knowing that God had everything under control.

I've said before in situations where I've gotten caught in a shower with the top down on my car -- "Lord! You know my situation!"  and just really hoped He wouldn't let me get completely drenched.  And even then, He has kept me from harm.  There have been times when I knew clearly that I was pushing the boundaries and that I shouldn't be foolish -- and the Holy Spirit has cautioned me of such behavior.

Was this past Thursday one of those days?  Well, maybe...but I didn't feel as though I had been foolish -- I honestly thought I would be fine -- it was sunny when I went into the grocery store -- seeing that black cloud was scary and daunting -- but there was still something within me that I knew I would be fine.

So, what is the point of this story -- well first of all, if you are going to drive a convertible, just know that rag tops will break and they are expensive to fix.  Spiritually speaking - well, storms in our lives are going to come and go -- some will be dark, dreary and scary -- and others will be short, unexpected and refreshing and there will be some that are in between those extremes.  Trusting God to hold us during these storms is the key to peace -- it's not having a nest egg of finances - it's not having close friends or family to carry us through -- it's TRUST -- Trust in God alone.  It's fine to plan ahead and it's truly a blessing to have loved ones to stick by us during the tough times -- but if we don't have the Lord to hold onto -- nothing will ever give us the security we truly crave.

When we cry out, "Lord, You know my situation!" He truly does.  But He waits on us to trust Him with it.  He waits to know that our hearts agree with His Truth.  Sometimes we may feel as if He's a million miles away - but if we Trust Him, we don't have to worry about that distance -- we just know that He is there and He truly does know our situations and our every need no matter how great or small.

This Easter weekend, I pray that you KNOW Jesus.  I pray that you have Trusted Him with your eternity and that you have invited Him to be your Savior.  I pray that you have the peace that can't be explained and that you know beyond any circumstance that your life is secure and resting in Him alone.  Don't be satisfied in knowing about Jesus -- do you KNOW Him like you know your mate, parent or child or best friend?

Beloved Friend - Jesus loves you so much that he willingly gave His life for you so that in God's eyes, you are forgiven of sin.  He took on your sin, my sin and the sin of the world so that we may live forever if we accept Him as Savior.  I pray that if you don't know Him personally -- that you'll ask Him to be your Savior today - don't wait -- none of us has the promise of tomorrow.

If you want to know this beautiful Jesus - let me encourage you to read the book of John in the New Testament of the Bible.  I've attached a link to a wonderful video that describes Jesus better than any I've ever seen or heard...May you be blessed in the Name of the Lord -- He is Risen Indeed!!!

Click Here:
Do You Know Him??

Cocoon too tight?

I posted a quote the other day on Facebook.  "When we feel restless, it could be that our cocoon has gotten too tight and it's time to spread our wings and fly..." -- I wonder how many times we get frustrated, restless, impatient, bored, snippy and even rude because our cocoons have just gotten too tight.  What do you mean by cocoon, Amy? you may be thinking...


A cocoon encases a caterpillar during the time the metamorphosis is occurring for it to become a butterfly.  We learned this in our elementary school science classes.  When the butterfly's wings and body begin to outgrow the cocoon the stretching and movement breaks the cocoon open so that the butterfly emerges, dries its wings and begins to fly...thus serving its full purpose in life - to pollinate plants and multiply so that the process starts all over again with a new generation.  We get the benefit of their beauty and the blessing of the plants that bloom and bear fruit because they fulfilled their calling (or purpose).  It has been noted that "helping" a butterfly emerge from the cocoon actually cripples the butterfly because it's in the process of the struggle that the wings are strengthened and the body fully develops - elimination of the struggle by tearing open the cocoon will ultimately cause the butterfly's premature death, thus falling short of fulfilling its purpose...


Maybe you are beginning to see the correlation here.  We wrap ourselves in our own little cocoons called comfort zones.  Regardless of what that comfort zone is, God wants to take us higher with Him.  He wants to stretch us and grow us and strengthen us so that when we are no longer comfortable inside our little cocoon, we become restless.  We wiggle and squirm and whine and cry and our faith muscles hurt - our wings become sore.   We want more than anything to give up - but if we do our cocoons won't feed us and we'll die inside (at least a piece of us will).  


Now, you may be sitting there asking yourself how in the world does this relate to me?  You may be thinking, "it's not my fault I can't move forward...I don't have the money, I don't have the time, I don't have or I can't because..." or maybe you are blaming others or finding fault with those who love you and yet you can't seem to move forward or find rest in any place or any thing...


Dear friend - it may be that you have begun to outgrow your cocoon.  It may be time to take that first step of faith and believe God will show you the next one.  It may be time to let go of those old comfortable habits to let God teach you a new thing.  Maybe it's a dead end job that is never going to lead to anything.  Maybe it's a relationship with someone that isn't healthy or doesn't honor God that just needs to be let go or given new perspective.  Maybe it's applying to college or teaching a class for the first time or taking the risk to love again after being hurt deeply.


Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit your ways unto the Lord and your plans will succeed."  Proverbs 3:5, 6 says, "Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, with ALL your soul, with ALL your mind.  In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and HE will direct your paths."  Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not harm you."


One of the greatest challenges a Christian faces each day is to trust the Lord with total abandon.  It's not the routine of Bible study, prayer and the disciplines associated with it -- it's blind faith and trust in the One who is unseen...


When we feel restless, our hearts are the last thing we need to trust!  Hearts lie.  When we feel restless - we need to seek God with everything we have.  It's in our weakness, He is made strong.  When we begin to truly seek Him, He will open up our eyes to things we've never hoped for or imagined -- this is a promise dear friends.


Don't wait around on a money bag or lightning bolt to fall from the sky if God is calling you to a higher place.  Don't blame others for not being able to follow your calling or pursue your dreams.  We are promised that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory...if God calls - HE WILL PROVIDE AND ENABLE.  Plain and simple.


If we are in a place of waiting - we know our calling - we know our purpose - but for whatever reason, God has chosen not to move us forward - we don't need to become stagnant in our waiting.  How can we keep from growing stagnant during our wait time?  Keep studying, praying and seeking.  Keep asking questions of God and wise counsel...Keep exercising those wings because the stronger they become during the wait time, the more strength they will have on the other side of the struggle.


If someone asks, "How are you?" during this time and you know they are sincere - tell them what's going on and ask them to pray with you.  Prayer is the greatest faith building tool we have and the more we pray the more strength we will draw from the Holy Spirit.


Prepare - do the research - if it's college, grad school - read everything you can about it and search for resources for financial aid.  Apply for scholarships, work study, etc.  You'd be surprised how many openings college campuses have specifically for students.  


Be proactive - invite a friend to church, take a class, try something new.  It could be that the temporary discomfort is preparing you to be a leader and you need wisdom and strength to be effective in your leading.  Exercise - stretch those muscles - read more, change a bad habit - make a new friend...apply to that graduate school or college you've always dreamed of attending!


Just remember that all things from God have purpose and that there is nothing new under the sun (or His Son, for that matter).  We, who are called His children should never be satisfied with complacency which is much different than contentment.


Contentment is active while waiting, whereas complacency is stagnant and quite boring.


Stretch your faith muscles, trust God and spread your wings and when it's time - TAKE FLIGHT!!! 


Until next time, be blessed in the Name of the Lord...Amy

Murky Waters, Dark Places...things that bite

Have you ever noticed that most poisonous creatures and predators don't hang out in the light or wear camouflage if they do?  We have a whole host of television shows on now that show us about the swamps where alligators dwell and the snakes, insects and harmful creatures make their homes.  Snakes and spiders dwell in dark places and come out to feed.  Even yellow jackets burrow into the ground and sting when their dens are disrupted by a foot stepping across their openings...

God is so amazing to use Nature to teach us so much about life.  He teaches us about the seasons of our lives through the seasons of our climates - He shows us in the ebb and flow of the tide that we will have highs and lows in our lives.  He shows us the beauty of Himself through the beauty of His people, animals, plants and small creatures - the sunrises, sunsets, mountain splendor - snow, rain, storms, wind, sunshine, clouds, stars and the moon.  Through physics He teaches us about order and organization.  Through science He teaches us about miracles and wonders we can't full understand...

So what is it about these dark, murky places that God can teach us?  They aren't pretty - they tend to smell bad - they aren't clear and danger lurks there if we aren't careful and wise to watch where we are going....hmmm - maybe there IS a lesson there.  Could it be that murky waters represent confusion, deception and blurred images of the truth?  Could it be that the darkness hides danger shows us that darkness disguises sin that leads to destruction?

Predators hide and watch their prey and wait until they are vulnerable before making their move to kill.  Ferocious hunger for flesh is what drives their desire.  The sting of a bee isn't felt until its poison is injected into the wound.  Do you see where I'm headed with this?

God warns us about the murky waters of sin by showing us what dwells there.  If you've ever seen piranhas or alligators attack an animal or person, you know it's violent and comes by surprise but not before the animal or person has been there a while and can be sniffed out.  Predators like lions and panthers hide and watch and wait on an unsuspecting gazelle or zebra before attacking or there is some threat to the security of their pride...oh my!  Snakes, spiders and other poisonous creatures are able to disguise themselves with camouflage that keeps them hidden even in the light - this shows us that even something or someone can appear to be harmless and beautiful or even hidden from view but contact can be deadly.

Oh friends, my heart is so heavy for others to see how cunning the enemy, Satan, can be today.  He hides in the murky places of our minds and stirs up thoughts and confusion and blurs the truth when we need to see clearly.  He uses what seems to be an innocent relationship or thought to hide in places just waiting for an unsuspecting victim to be attacked, mauled and left for dead out of a thirst or hunger for significance, power, control or threat to the security of their personal pride - this happens in homes, marriages, friendships and churches so often!  And then there are the spirits of deception, division, gossip, fear, anger and unforgiveness that camouflage themselves so well or appear to be so perfect and beautiful and harmless - victims of this type of attack have no idea they've walked into the pit or web or that they have been deceived until the sting or bite from their venom paralyzes their witness or stings so deeply that it takes an eternity to heal.  I'm sure you can think of instances in your own lives when these very things have taken root and wounded deeply.

I believe there is a spirit of deception and division lurking in the bowels of many churches and people today.  I believe that it is subtle and is deafening the ears and blinding the eyes of God's people.  I believe it is camouflaged and out in the light and is making itself appear to be fresh, new and full of life when its hidden and waiting to attack out of nowhere and leave a path of destruction beyond belief.  Those who are most vulnerable are not just the ones who are weak in their faith but the leaders, the strong ones whose destruction would destroy others in the process.  It's motive - a thirst for power and recognition and a threat to the security of their pride.  Their greatest weapon is deception and their sharpest tools are the tongue and their charming ways.

Now before we get defensive and think that what I'm talking about has to do with a worship style or program back away from that and let your mind go into the spirit realm.  Our enemy isn't of flesh and blood but of spirit...it prowls around like a roaring lion to steal, kill and destroy...  Before we point fingers at the new or the old or the traditional or the contemporary - let's pull back and look at the heart.  For it's at the heart that the true man is known.

The only way to deal with a predator is to learn its ways.  The only way to avoid the dangers of murky waters is to stay out of them or wear protective clothing if you must go in.  Our eyes must be open to see the truth of deception and other camouflaged behaviors and we must be wise in our dealings with them.  We need to have keen vision, sharp hearing and be aware of our surroundings and what may lurk there.  If we go into the dark places we need to carry the Light of Christ with us - and His Sword of the Spirit to protect us - it's double edged so it fights with truth and love - thus defending with love and mercy.  We need to wear the Belt of Truth to protect our bodies and our instincts, the Breastplate of Righteousness to protect our hearts, the Helmet of Salvation to protect our thought and reasoning. We must protect our eyes, ears and senses with the Shield of Faith.  Our feet guide us so they need protection - the shoes of the Gospel may lead us into the dangerous places but they have purpose in keeping us on solid ground even in the presence of our enemies.  Christ died for them too...and the Gospel is about Him.   Our training manual is the Word of God.  It's the only standard that measures good from evil, truth from lies, humility from pride.

Please know that I'm not pointing a finger anywhere except to where it should be and that's in the face of the enemy, Satan.  His days are numbered and he's not fighting fair.  The stench of death is on his breath and the odor of destruction is the perfume of his clothing.  His mortal enemy is the Church and NO ONE is immune from his attacks - not even the most prayed up, praised up, and powerful Christian we know...in fact they are first on his list.  A church that is growing with a vision for reaching the lost is much more likely to be attacked than one that is stagnant or dying.  A church that is growing is much more likely to be attacked from within or from within its growth plate than from outside forces although a firestorm can come at any time.  Division can kill a healthy church and so can deception.

Friends, we need to be in CONSTANT prayer for our churches today.  We need to be in CONSTANT prayer to protect our brothers and sisters from the deceptive ways of our enemy.  We need to be willing to listen when God speaks to dedicated Christians who warn of character traits, behaviors, attitudes, actions that are being seen and not brush them off or sweep them under the rug or just pray they will go away.  We need to respect the giftings of God's people - and look further if someone with discernment senses that the motives of another aren't pure or if one with prophecy warns of division or that there is a spirit of disharmony within the fellowship of its people.  Wisdom is so valuable in our church body today - all the gifts have usefulness and should be respected and not discounted.  Our leadership in churches must be mindful that they are not immune from the attacks of the enemy (if anything they wear the bulls-eye) and they must align themselves with people who have their best interest at heart and not selfish motives disguised as a teachable spirit.  Those who are being led must protect their leaders with a hedge of prayer and protection and speak the truth in love even when those truths are painful.

Predators have a blood-thirst for power and recognition.  A wounded warrior or bleeding church draws their attention and draws others into the attack.  Consider what you have seen in the animal kingdom.  People are no different and spirits are worse.  We also have to realize that we can't "fix" people.  That's God's job.  All of us have broken places in our lives - we are sinners.  But we have to be wise in knowing that not everything that walks or dwells inside the doors of a church is from God.  An enemy within is more dangerous than an enemy without...so we must be wise in our dealings with all men (and women).

Friends - I love the church - I love the church where I attend - I love its people - I love God's people.  Because of this love - because of this burden I have to expose the lies of the enemy I write this blog today.  If you sense there is "something" going on in your own church or among your Christian friends and family but you just can't seem to put your finger on what it is, it could be that there are murky waters, dark places and enemies lurking just under the surface or around a corner.  If you stand in leadership in your church, I implore you to listen to those who love you - love them for speaking truth to you and seek God when they speak words to you that war with your spirit.  Believe with all your heart that they have your best interest at heart and seek not to harm but to protect you.  Most of all - my brothers and sisters - Put on the Armor of Christ as we are commanded to do - do it every day without fail.  Without it we are no better off than a lamb standing in the middle of a field being watched by a pack of wolves.

Be wise in your actions, loving in your ways, and faithful in your dealings...I love you all SO much, so much...

Until next time...Be blessed in the Name of Jesus - Amy

How ya Leaping??

Happy Leap Day!! 


I saw a post from a friend on Facebook today who shared that her baby girl decided not to be born today - that she likely was going to be some more drama queen!  Another friend shared that his father's "real" birthday was today and that he would celebrate 20 Leap birthdays!  I don't even know how to do the math on that but I'm guessing that he's 80 today -- is that right??  How are you celebrating Leap Day today?


God's Word tells us that when Elizabeth saw Mary coming doing the road to see her, the baby in her womb (John the Baptist) LEAPED inside her - he was so excited to know that Mary was the vessel who would bring Jesus the Messiah into the world. (Luke 1:41).


I wonder how often our hearts leap when we sense the Holy Spirit moving in our lives or in the lives of others.  I wonder how often we are so caught up in our day to day grind that we miss those moments of opportunity to leap for joy.  Are we leaping as lambs in the springtime knowing that Jesus died to set us free?  Are we growing by leaps and bounds as we discover new truths of God's Word and apply it to our lives?  


Are we believing God and taking leaps of faith or merely steps of faith?  Are we radical believers or just fans of God?  John 8:36 says “Therefore if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed."  That is cause for celebration -- leaps of joy should flow from our lives.


I wonder what would happen if we truly allowed ourselves the freedom to dance as David danced in the streets with joy as proclaimed in 2 Samuel 6:14 "And David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a priestly garment."  Friends, because of Jesus' blood, we are now made priests and kings!! Our royal priestly garment is a garment of PRAISE!! 

There is a time and a season for grief and we will endure a season of testing (likely many) in order for God to refine us to be more like Him - but praise should always be on our lips and flow from our mouths because of the great things that Jesus has done for us.

So on this special and rare Leap Day -- let it be a day of joy - a day of asking ourselves and others..."How ya Leaping?"

I pray you'll experience great joy this day and always!! Until next time... Be blessed in the Name of the Lord!  Amy

How do we manage loneliness?

I meet with some precious ladies on Mondays to study God's Word.  This past Monday, there was a mention that more people (especially women) are lonely this day and age than ever before.  How can this be?  We are busy, we work, we worship, we gather together for Girls' Nights Out, we have social media, cell phones, computers, technology, exercise classes and I could go on and on...but you know, I found myself completely agreeing with this statement.

There are so many days that I am surrounded by people, interacting with people and busy and yet there is a sense of overwhelming loneliness that covers me to a point that I think I might weep.  It's not depression -- it's true loneliness.  It's as if I don't matter, fit in anywhere, belong to a group or connect regardless of who I'm with or where I am.  Do you ever feel this way?

Just this evening I was in a familiar place that I love and had returned to a group I've been a part of for over 20 years but because of the nature of what I do now, I'm not a regular attender to this group anymore.  I sat on the front row and when it came time to be dismissed there were several others who were welcomed and missed for being absent, but the person who welcomed them didn't seem to even notice that I was there.  I'm not a small person, but at that point I felt invisible and as if I didn't matter or that it didn't matter if I was there or not.

I'm not a high maintenance person and I won't dwell on what happened - and others acknowledged me later but for that moment, I felt out of place and very lonely.

I know that there are seasons in our lives where we will have to walk alone - whether it's in the loss of a spouse, the call to singleness, standing on a conviction when others don't, or just being tested in the wilderness as Jesus was.  The Holy Spirit is our constant companion and Comforter, but there are times when even God feels so distant.  Our prayers are heard but go unanswered - our friends and family don't understand or can't relate to what we're going through - it's just a void of relationships or closeness.

Why does this happen - I don't know.  Does this happen to everyone?  I honestly think it does at some point.    We have to be careful when this type of thing occurs, because the enemy loves to isolate us so he can mess with our minds.  He will use discouragement to bind us from moving forward and he can cause us to stumble if we allow the isolation to cause us to attempt to deaden our pain through unhealthy measures (i.e. drugs, alcohol, food, and worse)...

What can we do about it?  Well, the first thing would be to pray a lot.  Not those formal prayers - but the personal communication -- cry out to the Father.  Ask Him to comfort you during this time of loneliness and fill you as no one can.  The second thing would be to stay in His Word.  Read Psalms, Proverbs, Romans -- all such encouraging books.  Read Christian literature.  If the weather is pretty get outside and walk or spend time in a beautiful park -- if it's not pretty outside, rest.  It may be that your body just needs to rest and God has given you the opportunity to do so.  Another way to fight loneliness is to seek out ways to help others.  Look for places to volunteer, visit the elderly or children's homes - pour your life into others.

As soon as you are able, find a way to connect with other people - especially a body of believers who love you and care about you.  Don't allow yourself to be paralyzed by loneliness.  It may be appropriate for a season - but it's not God's design for His people.  We are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves and where two or more are gathered in His Name there He will be also.  We are on a journey and we don't need to travel alone - it's not safe or necessary over the long haul.  We are reminded that a cord of three strands is not easily broken...(Hebrews 10:25; Matthew 18:20; Ecclesiastes 4:12)

I would say that if you have ever experienced loneliness, be mindful that there are others who live in that state more often than not.  Make a conscious effort to notice others and make them feel welcome.

Please understand, I'm not hurt that I wasn't recognized or noticed in this gathering this evening.  It was just a temporary situation that over the long haul won't matter all that much.  But it did serve as a reminder that I need to be more aware of others who may feel lonely too.

I've had one of those weeks that if I could, I'd like to make it or myself disappear.  But like all things - this, too, shall pass.

I pray you are all having a good week and that blessings abound.  Make someone's day by giving them a hug or word of encouragement - you might just be their cure for loneliness!  Until next time, be blessed in the Name of the Lord...

Loss of a Friend

This is a blog I wrote a couple of years ago.  We are living in a season of time where there are wars and massacres of innocent children and brutal martyring of Christians around the world that the news is reporting (and likely not reporting, too.)  We've lost entertainers and athletes tragically and loved ones to cancer and other diseases...and we have kids headed back to school and some off to college for the first time -- lots and lots of change!  So as I sat down to write, I was reminded of this blog and decided that I would re-post this one while I work on the other one - it just seems so relevant right now - maybe even more so than when I wrote it...I pray it will touch and encourage you.

Loss of a Friend:

Today as I awakened, I realized that I have been mourning the loss of a friend.  I've been so sad lately and had no idea why.  I've been so tired and couldn't understand other than having some trouble sleeping.  You may be wondering who this friend was ...my friend was Security.  I held on so tightly for so long to her that she became somewhat of a crutch.  But in this last few years, God has asked me to let her go.  He's asked me to surrender her for a more reliable friend - Trust.

It's always hard to get to know a new friend, especially when you weren't interested in having to give up an old friend in order to start this new relationship.  There's a phase when you feel alone, strange, different, cautious, reserved, and so many mixed emotions that go along with it.  The elation of finding that you have something in common with this new friend doesn't always come instantly.  At least that's been the case in making friends with Trust.

How did I lose Security as my friend?  Through a season of loss, a season of surrender and a season of sacrifice.  Having to realize that Security was a liar and couldn't be trusted came with a devastating job loss, draining financial reserves, loss of "fair weather" friends who just couldn't go to the hard places, distance from family, a season of ill health and near death, and fear of homelessness.  Security has to be tangible or she can't handle the pressure and she leaves when things get hard...

So what about this new friend, Trust.  Well, Trust doesn't make friends easily.  She requires complete abandonment of logic and self-sufficiency.  She is jealous and must have my full attention.  She meddles and probes into the deep crevices of my heart and requires that I surrender all things that are meaningful to me to her.

I must admit, I didn't like Trust very much the first time I met her.  But the more I get to know her, the more I realize that the depth of my friendship with her will be lifelong and permanent and will make me a better, deeper and richer friend to others if I will allow her to change me.  She has a very intimate friendship with the Lord and holds the keys to pleasing Him.  She has lots to teach me and is patient to wait until my grieving over Security is done.  She understands and forgives when it's hard for me to let go or when old wounds cause me to push her away.  Her greatest enemy is doubt.  She won't stay in the same room with doubt but she and Faith and Wisdom are best friends.  To have them as friends is like finding a priceless treasure.

So even though I know that losing this friend, Security, has been a painful separation, losing a friend is never an easy thing for anyone.  But if she's moved into your house and become your friend, just be careful.  She won't stay when the going gets tough.  She is never long term even though she may tell you she is.

If you are seeking to be friends with the things of this world or the people who seem to have it all together, they may be disguised as this friend called Security.  If you find yourself dismayed or pierced deeply when people lie, hurt or wound you or if a season of loss comes into your life - Security may have taken up residence in your household.  If there's a need have wealth, financial reserves, perfection in lifestyle, appearance or acquaintances, you may be nursing a friendship with Security.  She will tell you that you don't need others or that you need to listen to people who make you feel good and she will tell you that all you need is what she can offer which is a lie. She will tell you that you alone know what is best for you and she will most definitely tell you that you don't need the Lord - she is a liar.  Let her go - tell her goodbye and grieve her departure as long as is necessary...but change the locks and don't let her back in.

 If I may encourage you today after reading my weird little story, Proverbs 3:5,6 tells us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (security).  In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path."

I lived with Security far too long and letting her go has been so difficult...am I sad? Yeah.  Am I grateful that Trust has taken her place? Oh absolutely!  She brought along her friends, Faith and Wisdom.  And though they aren't quite as fun-loving as Security was - I know that they won't leave me when things get tough.

Be blessed in the Name of the Lord...Amy

Whew! It's been a While and a Whirlwind!

Hi Everyone!! I just noticed that it's been 30 days since I wrote a blog posting!! December came and went and my head is still spinning!

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas and are anticipating God's plans for 2012.  This past month for me was spent singing and sharing my testimony and shopping, cooking and wrapping presents!

I find myself reflecting a little bit over the past month and year and find I'm a little blown away at God's goodness, grace and love.  God blessed me with the opportunity this year to see women of all ages come to know Jesus as their personal Savior, He allowed me to lead women in Bible studies and He gave me a renewed vision for His call on my life and vision for ministry and He allowed me the privilege of guiding and counseling women facing overwhelming circumstances to seek His wisdom and guidance in their decisions.  He blessed us with provision during James' job loss, He covered us with protection over our health, and surprised us with unexpected gifts from His children who just knew there was a need.  He showed me a glimpse of my future which gave me comfort that He has my "now."  He kept a roof over our heads and showed His love in ways that just don't speak adequately with words.  There is peace in the midst of storms, joy in the midst of heartache, patience in the midst of difficult relationships, forgiveness in the midst of hurtful words, grace in the midst of selfish desires, hope in the midst of broken dreams, mercy beyond being deserved and love beyond measure. 

We've seen friends step forward to offer help in raising money for this amazing Mission trip to Israel.  We've seen family and friends step forward to offer counsel when roadblocks seemed to shut doors.  We've been prayed for, prayed over, and prayed with so many people with regard to hard, hard things.

I think what I remember most about 2011 is that it's been a hard year for so many people that I love.  I've seen such loss, such heartache, such sickness, such hurt this year...these are people who love Jesus and are deeply committed to Him.  I believe that this may be God's boot camp for His army of believers.  If you talk with any soldier and ask them about boot camp, it's not an easy training at all.  There are long and hard workouts, there are obstacle courses, there is intense warfare training, there is intelligence training, there is desensitization, there is physical, mental and emotional strengthening to be able to defend against any type of enemy.   Stands to reason, then, that if God knows we need to be strengthened to be able to defend against our enemy, Satan, we might need to endure some hardship to strengthen our walk -- our spiritual legs, our mental strength and sharpness and our emotional stability -- after all -- the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy -- and lurks around like a prowling lion...or slithering snake.  He is smart, cunning, and evil and hates not only us as humans, but he hates the Spirit that dwells within us.

So, if you've endured a season of trials, pain, hardship that seems worse than ever - thank God for it.  Why? Because HE loves you enough to want to put you through His personalized Boot Camp in order to strengthen you and make you more like His Son, Jesus. 

I'd like to offer a challenge to you for 2012.  I'd like to encourage you to keep a prayer journal - when anyone asks you personally to pray for them, write down their name, request and the date requested and pray for them.  If possible, ask them to keep you posted with regard to their request and record how God answers - He always answers - it may not be yes, no or maybe - but He will answer - even if there is silence -- sometimes that just means to wait on Him.  Record your own requests too and date them.  As God answers your prayers, go back and record those answers.  At the end of 2012 on New Year's Eve,  go back and take a look over the journal and reflect on God's faithfulness and how He answered your fervent prayers of intercession and the prayers of your heart. 

I believe that if we'll do this and commit to it, we'll see some amazing things begin to happen and I KNOW we will see more of God and His Mighty Power.  Will you join me??

I'd like to leave you with one of my favorite blessings.  May 2012 be the year that takes your breath away as you see God's goodness, grace and mercy!! May laughter cover you and follow you each and every day...

"May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you and give you peace."

Have a blessed New Year's Eve....Happy New Year!!!
.

Sowing in Tears and Reaping with Joy

Hello my dear friends!

I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you ate enough Turkey and Dressing and fixin's to hold you over till Christmas!! Don't you just LOVE it!!! :)

I know it's been forever since I posted a recipe so I thought I'd put a quick one up for y'all before I write today's devotion.  It's so easy it's almost shameful....and it's so healthy and perfect for this time of year.

Quick & Easy Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

3 Small or 2 Medium boneless chicken breasts, cooked and diced (I used Tyson Grilled & Ready)
2 T. Butter (unsalted)
2 stalks celery, cut in large sections
1 medium onion halved
1 medium lemon, halved
1 garlic clove, smashed and peeled
1/2 bag frozen mixed veggies (I used corn, sweet peas, carrots)
1 1/2 quarts chicken stock (I make homemade but if you don't have it, use Organic or a Homestyle chicken stock) - you want it to be thick and hearty.
1 quart water
1 cup dry pasta (any type is fine -- macaroni, ziti, bowtie, something kind of large)
salt, pepper to taste
Greek seasoning to taste

Melt butter in Dutch oven and saute chicken breasts just to heated through.  Throw in celery, onion, lemon, garlic and stir well.  Saute until softened just a bit (you will remove the these things, except chicken when the soup is done so it's not necessary to chop them up.  In fact the soup won't be as good if you do, so plan to remove them before serving.)  Throw in frozen veggies and stir well.  Season with salt, pepper and Greek Seasoning to taste.  I used a couple of Tablespoons of Greek seasoning and about a teaspoon of salt and pepper....I'd rather need to add more than add too much.  Pour in stock and water and bring soup to a boil.  At this point if you want to make this a crock pot dish you'd want to transfer all this to a warmed crock pot.  Add noodles and cook on low until ready to serve (4 to 6 hours on low, 2 to 3 on high)-- your noodles will be more like dumplings, which is the plan - not a mistake.  If you want your soup ready sooner, leave it in the dutch oven and add the noodles about 20 minutes before you plan to serve the soup.  Soup is ready when noodles look like dumplings. 

To serve -- remove large veggie pieces of celery, onion, and lemon.  Garlic should melt into the soup but if it doesn't, remove it too.    Great with cornbread, toasted French bread or any type of wheat cracker.  Wonderful on a cold, rainy day.  YUM!! 


Now to our devotional....My Monday Bible study group is such an inspiration.  They are so patient to let my passion for teaching take over sometimes when they could all easily teach themselves but they are just the most lovely group of ladies with such diverse backgrounds but they leave me awe-stricken at time at their depth and passion for knowing God intimately.  I love them so much.  This week, we studied the last part of Psalm 126 and focused our attention to verses 5 and 6 --

5 Those who sow with tears
  will reap with songs of joy.
⁶ Those who go out weeping,
   carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
   carrying sheaves with them.

We spent a lot of time talking about what it means to sow in tears.  Or "sow with tears".  There was some commentary regarding how so many Christians "eat the seeds" rather than sow them.  What does this mean?  If you are a believer, you will experience hard times or hard things in your walk with Christ.  Jesus tells us we will and that suffering is part of sanctification in Him.  We are encouraged to "count it all joy when we encounter various trials so that the testing of our faith will make us stronger and more like Christ."  But how in the world can we be joyful, when we are sowing in tears.  How can the hard things in life bring a harvest of joy?  This just doesn't make sense.  Isn't it human nature to want to "draw in" or "hide away" or "keep to ourselves" when we are hurting?  Yes it is. 

But if we'll fight that urging and rather share our hurts with others, whether in asking them to pray for us or encouraging them in their own walk by telling our story and sharing how God brought  us through, we begin to sow our seeds of faith rather than eating the seeds and letting them go nowhere.

Satan loves to isolate God's people.  If he can use shame, fear, pride, secrets, false humility to cause us to hide in our pain, then we waste an opportunity to share in our sufferings with others.  We become prey to the enemy because it's there that he begins to paralyze us and cause us to think about our own problems and elevate them to a higher place in our thought processes than they really need to be.  We become more self-involved and wallow in self-pity, despair, depression, etc and can be held prisoner to our own thoughts and sense of hopelessness.  But if we will allow others to share in our hurts, embrace our tears, and be open and forthright in our failings, we then allow them to minister to our wounds, and in turn we share an opportunity to not only let others use their gifts to sow into our lives but we sow our tears into their lives  but when God moves, we also have a chance to share in the "joy that comes in the morning" and thus reap a harvest not alone - but along with others who have shared in our lives...and our sufferings.

There's another principle here too.  Think about the parable of the seed that Jesus told in Luke 8.  In this parable Jesus tells of seeds and how they fall in different types of ground -- dry, fallow ground, good ground that grows thorns or fertile ground that bears good fruit.   Sometimes in our own lives we hear God's Word and it falls away and we miss the message.  Other times we hear it, apply it for a while and then let it go when things get tough or life gets busy and hard.  And then we might hear that same word again and this time, our hearts are right and the Word gets in and grows and bears fruit - and thus a harvest of joy comes.  That's a personal application of sowing seed of God's Word into the life of a Christian.  

Think about those folks who come to church every Sunday.  They bring their Bibles, sing the hymns, listen to the sermons, maybe even take notes.  But when church is over, they leave, Bible closed, no more singing, forget the sermon and throw the notes away, never applying or using what they heard.  They are merely "pew sitters" who attend out of habit with no conviction...Pastors sow these seeds in tears...

Then there's the person who comes to church every Sunday.  They may even be involved in a ministry like the choir or Sunday School or other ministry.  They are faithful in attendance, appear to worship and gain a deeper understanding of God's Word in their attendance.  But during the week, there is no application or conviction of the teaching in their lives.  When the bad days come, they become angry, bitter and critical or maybe they change their church membership because someone hurt their feelings or they didn't like the preacher's sermon....they become like the seeds that grow in the thorns but the weeds and thorns of life end up choking out the good things they've learned and they never become healthy or fruitful...such a wasted life...again, pastors sow their seeds into these lives with tears...

But then -- someone comes along and they soak up the teaching of God's Word like a sponge.  They get involved and share their gifts and talents and resources generously.  They share their lives with others, they give of their time to further the Gospel and they passionately grow deeper and deeper and closer to the Lord and they are thriving and healthy Christians -- their lives aren't perfect, they may not have a big bank account, but they understand giving and sharing and loving...these are the harvest of joy ...these are the people whose lives bear fruit.  These people are just like the others, but what is the difference?  They not only swallowed the seeds that were sown into their lives but in swallowing the seeds, they also began to bloom, grow and sow seeds themselves.  The others simply swallowed, digested and discarded the seeds, never re-planting for a new harvest...and basically the seeds died on the vine.

Now let's get really practical with this.  I'm going to use the example of getting in shape but you can apply it to any area of your own life that might fit.  Let's say that I decided to get in shape by eating right and exercising.  I bought a whole bunch of books and magazines and read them from cover to cover.  I believed what they said.  But that's all I ever did.  I just read the books.  I never changed my eating habits or exercise habits but I gained a whole bunch of knowledge.  It's likely that I gained more than that but the outcome I wanted, getting in shape, didn't happen.  Why? That seed fell on dead, fallow ground and dried up as useless knowledge.  (Know anyone who has read every self-help book there is but they are still paralyzed with the same "issues"? -- same principle applies here too.)

Ok -- let's say I read the books and magazines, believed what they said and applied their suggestions to my life but when I got sore, or the weather got bad or someone invited me for a great lunch at my favorite restaurant and offered to buy dessert -- I didn't have the self-control to resist the temptation.  I quit exercising and found myself once again with tight jeans and low self-esteem because of my weight issues....Well, that seed started out growing well, but when things got tough or temptation crept in - or boredom -- what happened?  The old habits came back and the seed's growth was stunted.

BUT -- let's say, I read the books and magazines, believed what they said, applied their suggestions to my life and persevered -- believing the end result would be a harvest of joy -- through thick and thin -- sore body and blisters -- sooner or later, this lifestyle change would pay off and what would happen?? A more fit, healthier body would bring a big smile to my face and a smaller size to my jeans...thus a harvest of joy.

So if you'll allow me to challenge us all today, I'd say let's make a better effort at keeping the ground of our lives fertile.  Let's be sure that we have a teachable spirit, a heart to receive and give and minds that allow us to see the bigger picture.  To do this we must fight the instinct to be embarrassed about the hard things of our lives.  We must fight the urge to hide our insecurities or imperfections from others.  We must be willing to take a risk that someone else might benefit from our stories and struggles and might have a word of encouragement to give to us if we'll allow them in.  Let's also be willing to let other share their sufferings with us without passing a hammer of judgement on them.  

I'm very certain that in my own life there was a time when I was quick to judge and not so quick to forgive.  I'm also quite certain that my wounds made me defensive, scared and selfish too.  But maturity and deep struggle in my own life have brought me to a place where I now see that God's way is to sow and to share.  If I can sow my life into someone else's and share my story, I know now that there is someone else who might just need to know that their "troubles" are safe to share and carry to God as well.  Does this mean letting go of discretion?  NO.  Does it mean that we tell all the gory details or embarrass others and ourselves by telling everything we know?  NO -- but what it does mean is that we become transparent -- and leave behind that false image of trying to be what we're not and appear as if all is just fine when it's really not.  It also means shouting for JOY and telling others when God allows a harvest in our lives and in those we've shared with.

Be willing, able and ready, dear friend -- if you sow in tears now and your life is really hard -- hold fast to the promise that if you keep sowing, searching, learning, sharing and giving -- you WILL reap a harvest of joy in due time and you (and I) will have a much deeper understanding of God's goodness apart from the circumstances of our own lives -- and we'll give Him credit for the harvest when it comes in and live joyful, fruitful lives that glorify Him.

I pray you have a blessed week!!! Until next time, Amy

To be thankful...

Good morning, noon, evening!  I hope you've all been blessed in some way this week.  I love this time of year.  Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  Easter is my favorite but Thanksgiving runs a close second.  I love everything about it -- it's not as commercial, it's not over done with decorations but the food is fabulous and realigning the perspective of thankfulness is a great exercise.

I'm a Facebooker.  I'm hooked, I admit it and I probably need a 12 step program to get away from it.  But lately, a lot of my friends have been posting their "thankfulness" in their statuses each day.  I've seen everything from deeply introspective thank-you's to some that are just fun and funny and honestly, I've loved them all!  I decided to get in on it and it's been a wonderful way to keep my attitude in check as the stress of the holiday season closes in.

This past week, I had the opportunity to share my testimony and music with a group of ladies in Pensacola and in Foley, Alabama.  God blessed me beyond measure by allowing me to see His Harvest of three lives asking Jesus to be their Savior.  Praise You Lord.  I'm so thankful to have had this opportunity. Not only that, it was just beautiful down there and we got to visit with some dear friends, Lisa and Al, and spend the evening laughing and catching up with them.  What a joy!

I've never considered myself much of a harvester.  I've always been comfortable in sowing seeds in God's great fields.  But I must admit, to see and know that someone has just given their life to Christ brings a joy that goes deep into my soul.  It's something that I can't fully explain and I don't want my readers to think for a minute that I'm boasting about my part in it at all -- I think what I find so humbling about it is the fact that there were so many who came before me who sowed seeds of the Gospel, watered with truth, fertilized with love and encouragement and at just the right time, God saw the fruit in the heart of these ladies, and I had the opportunity to be there for the harvest!! I just had to be available and ready and He showed me His Handiwork!! That's pretty awesome isn't it!

You know, I really believe that's the key to living fruitful lives.  Being available.  If we'll just make ourselves available to God's plan - and be willing let Him guide us, use us and speak through us, then we are rewarded with peace, contentment, hope and joy apart from our circumstances.  It's almost as if we get to see the big picture or at least a little glimpse of it.  Does that make sense? 

I think sometimes we try to hard to figure God's will out.  I think maybe because we can talk and have opposable thumbs (however your spell it), we carry around a "god complex" and try to force God's hand when there is really no need to do so.  Why?  Well, I don't think it's always with selfish motives or irreverence.  I think it's because we hunger so badly to know God that we toil and spin to try to figure Him out rather than just resting and trusting that He is God.

I know that has been true at least in my own life.  It started when I was in high school.  When the talk of what was God's will for my life (Christian-ese for what I was gonna be when I grew up) began.  Oh that I had known at 17 years old that His will for me was not just a profession - His will for me (and you) was to live justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God....Malachi 6:8.  Sure - I should have sought Him for career choice, choice for mate, church membership, etc. - but His will is so much larger than those things and much simpler at the same time. I did seek God for those decisions, but honestly, I did so with pleasing man in mind.  If I'd only known that sitting at His feet, getting to know Him first and intimately was more important to Him - if I'd only known how that could have made so much of my life fall into place according to His Word (Matthew 6:33), I wonder if I could have saved myself so many tears, frustration and prodigal choices along the way...then again, maybe this path is the one God chose for me...overthinking even that would be wrong at this point in my life because His Word tells us that He leads us into the wilderness...Deuteronomy 8:2.  We believe a lie if we think our lives as Christians should be immune from dry seasons or hard things...This Scripture attests to that fact...

So, as we approach this week of Thanksgiving, I'd like to challenge us all to be thankful beyond the material blessings of our lives.  I'd like to challenge us to find ways that God has blessed us that go beyond the obvious.  I'd like to challenge us to be thankful even for the hard things, the wildernesses, the trying times of our lives and at the same time, I'd like to offer an encouragement to live out Matthew 6:33 -- "Seek first the Kingdom of God and all His righteousness..."  Let that be top priority -- be willing to be used of Him and to know Him intimately and in doing so "all these things (provision, direction, fruitful lives) will be added to us."  This is a promise...a covenant - between 2 - ourselves and our God.  In the busy-ness of the holiday season, let's try to be more like Mary and less like Martha -- doing so allows us the opportunity to see God at work in the Harvest as well as gives us a chance to be available to be used as vessels for His Spirit to flow from and through as He sees fit.  If we are so busy "Martha-ing" around, we'll miss it -- we won't see Him at work and we'll lose out on getting to see a harvest of some sort - be it a new believer or a brother or sister get back on track or a miracle of healing, etc.

I pray you'll have a safe and happy Thanksgiving and that you'll enjoy those God places in your path both now and throughout this wonderful holiday season!!  I'm going to post some more recipes soon as well as some tips and tricks too -- I know it's been a while...


Blessings!! Amy

The Power of Prayer and Laughter

This has been one of those weeks that I marvel at God's goodness.  I know I should marvel at His goodness all the time, but this week has been particularly abundant in my own life.  I'm not deserving and don't understand His choosing of the timing but all I can say is, "Wow!"

We've experienced the joy of good friends who are willing to give of their time and talents and resources to assist with raising money for this mission trip to Israel.  We've experienced His provision in truly miraculous ways.  We've seen a rainbow covering our city.  We've been blessed by a generous church supporting us in ways that I cannot begin to fathom.  I received an unexpected offer of employment that caters to my travel schedule.  I received encouragement from people who have been praying and have seen evidence of God's hand over our lives.  Unexpected phone calls to share good news have come, cards in the mail, conversations with strangers who want to know how things are going with regard to the mission trip ... so much more it would take volumes to write it all!

One of the most amazing things I've experienced is a simple answer to a prayer for restoration of laughter.  Psalm 126 speaks of restoration and joy and laughter is the theme of this passage.  I mentioned briefly last week that I was so ready to laugh again and God heard my prayer.  I have laughed until tears have rolled down my cheeks at simple things - good things, good friends, funny comments, precious pets and simple things literally all week long.  God's Word speaks of the health benefits of laughter and I can attest to it.  Proverbs 17:22 says “A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.”  I'm learning daily that my circumstances don't dictate God's goodness.  That joy resides in the bones when I give my life fully to Christ and trust Him no matter what my earthly situation may be.  I'm learning that even my smallest of prayers are heard by God and they mean something to Him.  He heard my seemingly insignificant request that I was ready to laugh again and saw that my heart needed to be merry and He made it happen. 

A young friend wrote today that she could "only pray" on her profile.  She has had a whole host of health problems and deals with pain on a constant level.  Her life is desperate at times because of the pain and seeing her post made my heart hurt because she is so dear and so is her family.  But I also found myself thinking, "You know, she's really at the best place she can be if she's out of any other resources but prayer."  That means that God has literally stripped away everything but Himself in her life and she now has the perfect set up to tap into her Great Physician, her Provider, her Savior, and her King.  She now has access to a heart that can be painfully honest with her Heavenly Father and she has access to the most powerful weapon in her Spiritual armor -- prayer. 

So many times, we say things like, "I can't do much, but I can pray for you." or we'll say, "All I can do is pray."  I wonder if we really realize what we are saying with comments like that.  Are we diminishing the value and power of prayer or are we saying that we are not humanly able to do anymore and as a last resort we're going to pray?  If so, we need a radical change of thought!  Friends, prayer is a mighty tool and is powerful against the enemy's schemes.  Not only that, it's our blessed opportunity to have a conversation with the ONE WHO CREATED THIS UNIVERSE AND US!!!  We have a blessed opportunity to pour out our hearts and talk with the Lover of our Souls.  We have the power to crush the enemy, Satan when we draw our weapon of Prayer.  We have a hot-line with no need for a phone or priest to cry out to one who gave His Life for us.  Oh the goodness of God that He would give us this privilege!

If you've found yourself in a mindset of thinking that prayer is your last resort, maybe today is the day that God says - make it your first resort forevermore.  If you've felt like your prayers are hitting the ceiling, maybe it's because God is waiting for you to believe that He will do as He promises and that He loves you.

We can speak prayers over and over and over and over and not believe that God will move - or we can pray with a believing heart that He hears even our smallest of prayers and that He will act according to His will and that He promises that He wants the best for His children - not the worst. 

Remember, there's prayer, there's faith, there's trust, there's hope and there are covenants all through the Bible -- God keeps His covenants always - He cannot lie and He cannot fail.  If we can grasp that He lives in us -- LIVES in us - then we must believe it and believe that his residence in us means that we cannot fail either.  Don't walk around with a failure mentality.  Yes, life will be disappointing at times.  Yes, hard times will come.  Yes, we will hurt, be sick and die.  But we were made for more.  We were made to reflect God's glory in all circumstances not just the mountaintops.  We are made to praise Him.  We are made to laugh because of His goodness.  We are made to love others because of the deep deep love He has to pour out through us and to us.

May I encourage you to hit the restart button on your perspective today?  May I urge you to access the power of prayer as your first option because it's your best option?  May I challenge you to ask God to show you His goodness.  He will, you know...He promises.

Here's Psalm 126 (NLT) -- Read and enjoy -- and know that you are dearly loved!! Have a great weekend!!


When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem,
      it was like a dream!
 ² We were filled with laughter,
      and we sang for joy.
   And the other nations said,
      “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
 ³ Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us!
      What joy!
 ⁴ Restore our fortunes, Lord,
      as streams renew the desert.
 ⁵ Those who plant in tears
      will harvest with shouts of joy.
 ⁶ They weep as they go to plant their seed,
      but they sing as they return with the harvest.

Molly's Adventure...all we like sheep.

Good Morning, Afternoon or Evening Everyone,

I pray you have had a peaceful night of rest and that this day is blessed with grace, goodness and peace.  I haven't slept much this week.  I'm not sure if it is the excess caffeine or if I've allowed the enemy of stress into my mind or if my sore muscles from climbing a ladder for many days in a row have been the culprit (likely all three) but I definitely haven't gotten my 6 to 8 hours per night this week as recommended by "they" - whoever "they" are.

Earlier this week I wrote about thorns and the hedge of thorns that God places around our lives.  I wrote about the correlation of those thorns to the painful things of our lives and related them to Jesus' crown of thorns.  Something that hit me this morning was that sheep are prone to stray.  God references His children to sheep quite often in His Word and knowing that sheep aren't the brightest creatures of God's creation should keep us ever mindful that being affectionately called sheep by our Creator isn't a compliment.  They have brains the size of walnuts, they can't figure out how to get up if they fall on their backs, they have no sense of direction and...they are prone to stray.

Could it be that because of our sheepish nature, we NEED a hedge of thorns?  Could it be that the "ouches" of our lives come because we run into that hedge and get stuck and hurt because of our need to stray?

I've been helping a dear friend get her house ready to go on the real estate market and she has the sweetest little dog.  My friend works as a teacher and has left her sweet dog, Molly, with me during the day as I've been working at her house.  For the last couple of weeks, Molly has been so polite and has waited at the door to get her little leash on to go out to get her business done.  But this past Tuesday, Molly had a need to stray.  She bolted out the door and acted as if she was going to be well-behaved and walked with me into the garage all the while having a plan of her own as soon as she could break away.  She decided that when we left the garage she would walk over to the grassy part and sniff around a little bit.  Then she walked slowly but just ahead of me where I couldn't catch her and then all of a sudden she took off to the woods.  She was on a grand adventure!  I called her and she wouldn't come.  I offered treats and rewards of good behavior if she would heed my voice.  But she acted as though she was completely deaf.  All of a sudden I heard her cries.  She was crying as if in great pain - it got louder and louder and all I could imagine was that she had walked up on a copper head snake and he had sunk his fangs into her and filled her with deadly venom.  I called her name over and over running to the woods.  Suddenly I heard another dog bark and then a human voice saying, "I've got her!  She's ok! She's just a little bit scared!"  My heart started beating again.  I walked to where I could see and there was my friend's neighbor holding Molly in his arms.  His big chocolate lab was standing there with him and across the fence was his guard dog, a German shepherd.  He saw all that had happened and said that Molly had crossed the fence line and the shepherd stopped her and rolled her a little but didn't hurt her.  Molly was trembling and looked to me with great relief.  I put her leash on and we peacefully walked back to the house after an exchange of thank you's and my heart started beating at a normal rate again.  Molly, a drama queen, was still whimpering from the event and found herself drained of all energy by the time we got back to the house.  She dropped in weakness and just had to have a nap from all the trauma.  She needed to be assured that she was ok -- and after a good rubdown with a towel and a lot of petting, treats and making sure that I wasn't mad at her, she drifted peacefully off to sleep safely behind the clear doors of her home and on her soft little bed, surrounded by all her toys.

I didn't think about the significance of Molly's adventure until I began writing today.  Aren't we just like her?  We walk along with God, cooperating with Him and all is going fine, even if our circumstances aren't perfect - we at least feel safe knowing He's there beside us.  We pray regularly, read and study His Word, hear His voice and then we begin to walk on our own - we can still see Him and are sure He is right there with us and then we stretch our legs just a little and walk a little further up the path and then we see an opportunity and believing we'll be just fine we run like the wind on an adventure of a lifetime -- and then, we cross the line.  The big dogs see us and come after us -- oh they may not make a deadly blow but it scares the living daylights out of us or they bruise us just enough that it hurts a little (or a lot) - and then the shepherd lovingly picks us up, holds us in His arms and brings us back inside the hedge of thorns where we can rest again.  He puts another thorn in the hedge just to remind us of that journey and how painful it was to us...and to Him.

Molly may decide to get out again and run on her own - but aren't we as willful as she?  She may not run over to where that big dog scared her but she will look for other opportunities.  She didn't plan to stray - she planned to play.  She loves to please and is a good dog...most Christians want to be good sheep too.  But when we worry, fret, lose sleep, wander in our own thoughts, spend without consulting God about it, speak without praying over it, and all those other temptations to sin - we stray.  Sometimes it takes a good scare to bring us back into the fold.  Sometimes it takes a little hurt to remind us that we need our Shepherd.  Sometimes we need Him to carry us back to our own hedge of thorns to remind us just how safe we are within His hedge of protection.

Friend, cry out to the Father, just like little Molly cried for me (really I think she wanted her Mama).  Cry loud when the big dogs come after you.  Cry and tell Him your hurts, your fears, your pain and your sorrow.  Cry and tell Him you have strayed and you need His rescue.  Cry and tell Him you need His protection.  He will hear you and come to you and will rescue you from harm.  He is your shepherd and will not rest until you are back in the fold.

Maybe the lost sleep I've experienced this week is because I've allowed my own mind to wander into the wilderness of my circumstances.  Maybe in doing so I've experienced the fear of the big dogs in my own life coming after me, too.  Maybe losing sleep has offered me the chance to cry out to God and have Him rescue me from my own wandering thoughts...if you are where I am, then I encourage you to be still and let Him teach you through His Word and likely a circumstance you've experienced this week as well....

May His Words encourage you in your journey today: 

"But he was pierced for our transgressions,he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all"  Isaiah 53:5-6NIV

Double Duty today

Hi Friends,

I pray you are having a lovely Monday!  I used to dread Mondays -- the stress, the work week starting over, all that stuff -- but now I love Mondays because of the blessing of the ladies in my Bible Study group.  They are amazing - deep, thoughtful and have a fire burning in them to passionately grow in Christ...gotta love Mondays with a combination like that!  :)

I titled this blog "Double Duty" because I'm including a couple of recipes at the end...just so that makes a little bit of sense and because it's Halloween, I thought a fun and easy snack food and a quick dessert might be in order...hope you enjoy them!.

Today, in Bible study, we talked about something that I'd like to share with you.  We are doing Beth Moore's "Stepping Up" study but we are taking it very slowly and we've all been amazed at the things that God is showing us through His beautiful Psalms of the Ascent and the feasts and celebrations that are part of the Jewish faith and traditions.

Out of our study of Psalm 125 today came the topics of trust, God's protection and attention, and His power over evil.  Timely subject given the time of year don't you think??  Beth makes a statement in one part that I found to be quite profound.  "Beloved, if God isn't more powerful than all the combined evil in the universe, then we are a pitiful people indeed."  Isn't that so true?  Sometimes we can get so caught up in and focused on the resident evil that dwells here and affects us, that we forget that God is completely aware of all of it and has already overcome it all.  It's so easy to become short-sighted when there is a major crisis, tragedy or injustice in our close circle and we can quickly give up or worse, get so angry that we lose control of rational thought or action.  We become incapable of forgiveness and fall into the trap of trying to fix or control things ourselves.  Ever been there?  I know I have.

Toward the end of our time today, Beth wrote about the hedge of protection that the Massai people in Africa put around their camps to keep the prowling lions and predators away.  It's basically a hedge of thorns or thorny bushes that repel dangerous animals.  As long as the people stay inside those thorn bushes, they remain safe from the attacks of the vicious and hungry animals.  The next word picture she paints is a picture of the crown of thorns that Jesus wore on His precious Head.  She asks us to put those tough situations, those people we are concerned about who are either lost or saved inside the crown of thorns to gain a visual image of their protection because of our prayers.  But as I was preparing for today's lesson, God began to show me something more about that crown of thorns.  Because Jesus was our sacrificial lamb and there is so much significance of the details tied to prophecy, His life, death and resurrection, I began to wonder if His crown had a deeper, more personal meaning than something that was jammed into Jesus' head by cruel men.  Of course there is obvious significance of the pain of the thorns in his head, the blood shed, the crown for a king, the tears, etc.  But if we look at that crown as a symbol of the hedge of protection around us, I'd like to suggest that each thorn represents something painful in the life of a Christian and maybe even our sin that pierced His blessed head on our behalf.

Could it be that each of those thorns that God uses to build the hedge around us is the pain in our lives?  Could it be that the reason for the pain is to protect us from the things we cannot see - the war around us that isn't flesh and blood -- but principalities of darkness and evil (Ephesians 6:12)?  If you were to write down the hurts and pains, sadness, bad things, unrealized dreams, disappointments, etc. in your life, would you be able to see that God protected you not only in the bad thing - but from something worse because of it?

Here are some examples from my own life that might help you to see where I'm coming from...

If I made a list of some of the disappointments in my life I could list things like, "death of a loved one, loss of beloved pets, not making cheerleader in high school, loss of a young friend and godly father of 3 at the age of 45 to cancer, loss of my father to liver cancer, my father's incarceration at 82 years old, my husband's unemployment, my own deadly infection from surgery, perfectionist nature, self-scrutinizing to a fault, eating disorder as a teen, depression, major financial difficulties, etc. etc... but if I step away from it and look at it from an "aerial view" outside my circumstances - could I see that God protected me from something much worse than those painful things and drew me in closer through that painful protection?  Could it be that the memories of those painful things in my life serve as a reminder that I am protected by His thorns?  Could it be that those thorns in our lives prick our hearts when we try to stray and we're reminded that there's an enemy lurking outside that protection?

I'd like to encourage you to take a look at this picture -- and write down the big things in your life that concern you right now -- whether it's a health issue, financial issue, a lost friend or family member or a saved person or family member who God has laid on your heart ...write that down in the middle of that crown.  And then focus on the thorns - begin to name a painful event or thing in your life at each thorn -- the big pains on the big thorns and then the smaller hurts on the smaller thorns.  The thorns that point inward toward the center could be the "active hurts" or things that concern you right now.  Maybe they are on-going.  Don't hurry through this exercise.  Ask God to show you how He has formed this hedge of protection that surrounds you.  One of the ladies told about Corrie Ten Boom learning to be grateful for fleas because the soldiers wouldn't come in to take or attack them because of them.  Maybe there are irritants in your (or my) own life that God has placed there for our protection like those fleas.  They are annoying things (or people) who just won't go away...but hover constantly and maybe even bite or suck life out of us just like those fleas. 

Remember that God's thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways and though the "blessing in the thorns" is very poetic, it's also very real.  I'd have ruined my voice if I had been a cheerleader in high school.  I had no idea that God would call me to sing for His glory - but He knew and preserved me for such a time as this.  God has told you no as well.  He's allowed hurt for your own good too.  There are lessons to be learned in this crown of thorns - this hedge of protection.  And I believe that it's significantly big to God that we learn them or they wouldn't be such a graphic picture of the pain that Jesus endured so we might be saved...to satisfy the debt for sin.  Those thorns weren't splinters - but even splinters hurt too. 

I'm not seminary educated nor do I call myself a theologian by any stretch of the imagination.  But I believe the Holy Spirit teaches His children according to His will and today I believe this came from Him.  I'm at a bittersweet place in my life and I know that God has placed a hedge of protection around me and around those I love.  I believe I could spend hours or even days looking at the painful things in my life through spiritual eyes to see not just a crown of thorns but a true hedge of thorns that have protected me since I invited Jesus into my life as a young child.  I believe that tears would flow down my cheeks to see the love that has been poured over my life in this protection and I believe the same would happen to you if you went through this same exercise.

Looking back can be painful especially to those who have experienced trauma, abuse, illness, abandonment, etc. as children - but the fact that you're reading this tells me that you are a miracle if you were victimized as a young one.  All of God's promises are true, dear friend.  God sees and knows the evil that lurks in the dark places of our lives and on this earth.  Allow His light into that darkness and His protection to cover you and surround you through your pain.  Psalm 125 is so relevant to this world today -- give it a good read -- and be encouraged, loved, and blessed by doing so -- May God bless you this day and always!!  Keep reading...here are some fun recipes for tonite or anytime, really!

Easy Caramel Corn - by Sandra Lee of Food Network's "Semi-Homemade"
2 bags microwave popcorn (lightly buttered is best)
1/2 stick unsalted butter (4 tablespoons)
3/4 cup sugar
3 T. water
1 1/2 t. cinnamon

Pop popcorn in microwave and toss in large bowl (or 2 bowls -- don't over fill -- you need room to mix caramel)
In a small saucepan, melt butter on medium heat.  When melted add sugar, water and cinnamon and stir well.  Bring to a boil.  Boil for 4 minutes without stirring (increase heat if necessary).  Remove from heat and pour half into the popcorn (drizzle around over the top).  Toss with a wooden spoon (IT's HOT!!!)  Pour remainder in and mix again.  Toss to break it apart and keep going till mixture cools to touch.  Serve when ready -- DELICIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Easy Blueberry Shortcake Sundaes  - by Amy Drinkwater

1 box Blueberry Muffin mix (I recommend the one with real blueberries and streusel topping)
1 bottle blueberry syrup or diluted blueberry jam
Vanilla Ice Cream
Whipped topping (I like the kind in the can - Redi-whip)
Toasted pecans, fresh blueberries for garnish (mint too if you'd like something green)

Make muffins according to package directions (don't use paper muffin liners) or pre-baked muffins - just won't be as good....trust me!  While still warm, not hot, split muffin horizontally (lift off the muffin top) and put a little bit of the syrup onto the bottom part.  Top with a scoop of ice cream and place muffin top on the ice cream.  Top with Whipped topping and drizzle syrup over this to run down sides.  (Hint: holding spoon about 4 to 6 inches above this will let a lighter stream flow and a prettier presentation.  Sprinkle nuts, berries over the top and finish with a pretty sprig of mint for garnish.

Makes an ordinary breakfast bread into a lovely quick dessert that's quite yummy too!

Blessings!!