Goodbye to '09! Hello to 2010!

I Samuel 7:12, "Thus far the Lord has helped us."

I read this verse this morning in my morning devos and have been thinking about it ever since. And since today is the last day of 2009, I thought I'd cap the year with one last blog. For those of you who read this blog, I also manage other one for our church called "Imagine Christmas". I have to leave this blog to keep that one up as it supports the Worship Ministry's Christmas program each year. So, it might look like I've been a lazy girl in the blogging world, but no sir. Just blogging over there for the church. But I just couldn't roll into 2010 without looking back on all that God has done in '09 and saying "Thank you, Lord." Let's recap...

The year started off with much promise, as all years seem to do. At first we thought that '09 might bring seminary to a close in our lives, but that soon changed very close to the beginning of 2009. Three semesters to finish. Oh well...at least Bradley was enjoying his classes in MACE. I so enjoyed seeing his zeal for school change when he changed over to this course of studies. It was like a new fire was ignited in him. We could handle waiting to graduate in 2010. And look, now that it is only 5 months away. Trust me, we are counting the days until May 6th. Put that on your calendar.

The Spring was interesting. I think that is the only word that the Lord will allow me to use. Bradley was suppposed to go to Africa, but I just couldn't get a peace about it. I seriously lost sleep over him leaving for this trip. That had never happened before. So, I just began to pray that God would wrap me in peace or speak to him about a change of plans. And the Lord did just that. Bradley realized that he shouldn't go, which allowed his assistant to go in his place. Lori was so blessed and we soon realized why Bradley should have been here and not there. All I can say about the Spring is that it changed many things for the Thomas family. We took to our knees and found a way to praise through the storm. It was a personal and very private storm for Bradley and I. The Lord brought us closer together and closer to Him as well. But things changed. Trusting that nothing passes to us that does not come through the hand of the Lord first, we journeyed on into summer just holding on.

Summer brought some healing and a calmer time. The Lord's hand is ever faithful. Our ministries grew and we just kept keeping on. I found myself really just waking up each day, looking to the Lord for strength for that day...and kept on walking. The Lord really began to teach me a lesson in the summer months. How to "be still and know that I am God" while "runnning the race set before us". They just weren't meshing in my mind, body and soul. But when we are weak, He is strong. GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS! So this is what I would do. "Being still and waiting, while running the race". Guess what, still doing it. And we got the WADES! Yes another piece of home, here in TEXAS! We so loved having Aaron, Rebekah, Evie and Abel stay with us for a while. And getting to do ministry with Aaron again has been such a bright spot in the middle of the year '09.

Fall brought busy"ness". I still can't believe it, but Bailey started middle school at HMS! Brody is a fourth grader and all by himself at Bear Creek Elementary. Brody also started his 2nd year of tackle football. He grew so much over the summer that his coaches were very excited to have him back. Go Bengals! And Bailey was starting her 2nd year of Senior League cheerleading with me as her coach. We set high expectations for her squad since they were all returning to a 2nd year. I do love football and cheerleading season, so this was a really good thing for me. And both the Patriots and the Bengals had very successful seasons, although it felt like we played every game in the rain! We've never had so much rain in Texas. And at church, we began making plans for Christmas, which is my favorite ministry time of the year. Imagine Christmas would make another appearance, but this time would journey all the way back to the beginning of time to see the real reason why Jesus had to come as a baby. Sin entered the world! Much to do and stay busy with. And all of this went well and fast. Before we knew it, Brody's Bengals were regular season champs! They headed into the playoffs with very high hopes. And the Patriots made the playoffs only to lose the 1st game. But the cheerleaders had their big showcase day at Pennington Field. Which is where we found out that the Patriot cheerleaders won the Senior League Cheer Championship! Yes, that was our goal! And my peers honored me with another Coach of the Year Award, so we feel our cheer season was very successful! And the Bengals went all the way to the Consolation Bowl and finished 3rd in the league for the 2nd year in a row. And Brody was a captain for that game and got to call the coin toss! How cool was that!
Fall also brought some other news that was a secret for a while. It appeared as if the Lord was moving Robert and Angie to a new ministry. How exciting to watch God work in their lives in such a particular and clear way! The Thomas family could not be more excited for them. But as the days neared to the news being known and then the actual leaving...it meant that I'd be losing my boss and our friends. You have to know the whole story, but they were MY gift for obeying. The journey to Texas was harder for me. Bradley had a new thing but I had to say goodbye to a very full and effective ministry in Tennessee. And that doesn't even speak of leaving all our family. So the Elkins were my gift. I told Angie that she and Robert and kids would have to be just that...our family. We've known each other since we were 9 years old. We started going to the same school when we were in the 5th grade. In my memories, she's always been there. So that was a HUGE blessing for our obedience to come to Texas to be in the center of God's will. And now, they would be leaving. Saying "goodbye" to having your best friends there, just around the corner, was harder than expected. I can definitely tell you that I prefer to be the leaver than the one being left. And all of this wrapped into Christmas made for an interesting holiday. But who can be sad when you can see the hand of the Lord so clearly? Well, maybe we can be for a little while....

So, here I sit on the eve of 2010. I know Bradley will graduate in this new year. And God has already showed us His favor for school and finances. Thank you Jesus! And I know we'll be living in Texas without the Elkins. And I'm praying that the search for a new Worship Pastor is quick and easy for First Baptist Euless. But the rest, is totally up to God. I'm praying that the Thomas family will clearly see the hand of the Lord in our lives this year. I'm praying that my children will begin to develop a closer relationship with Christ. I'm praying that our home will be blessing to our friends and colleagues this year. I'm praying that my love for Bradley will just grow deeper and stronger. I'm praying that our families will see God's richest blessings in their lives this year. I'm praying that my walk with my Abba is deeper and fuller. I'm praying that the healing that started in 2009 will continue to take place in 2010, in me. I'm going to be intentional to praise Him first, even if I have to feel it later. I'm raising my hand in praise to the One who called us, set us apart, lives in us, guides us, protects us, never leaves us. "Thus far the Lord has helped us." He's not about to stop now. 2010, here we come with God leading the way.
Thank you for taking a journey through '09. Hang on for the ride with "Designed to Create" in 2010. Blessings to you and Happy New Year!

For The Audience of One

The Worship Ministry of First Euless is reading a book together called "The Audience of One" by Mike Pilavachi. It is from a series of little books written on worship that have been produced by Matt Redman. I have thoroughly enjoyed it as I've been reading it, digesting bits and pieces over these summer months. I find myself sitting and shaking my head in agreement with statement after statement written in this little jewel of a book. Over and over again I've thought to myself, "That is what the church needs to hear, to know about worship." I actually finished the book on the way home from vacation. Bradley was driving, so I took advantage of the time. I had been anticipating the chapter entitled "Worship and Creativity". Yes, my 2 favorite topics (besides my husband and my kids). Bring it on Mike Pilavachi! Again, I found myself enthralled with the words and challenges of this yet another great chapter on worship. And as I was about to turn the page to the last chapter, thinking, "Yea, I'm gonna be finished with my assignment before I go back to work," I read this statement, "Just make sure that your public worship is a mirror of your private acts of worship." And as my fingers reached up to turn the page, there was a big screeching noise in my head like the sound you hear when you suddenly slam on the brakes. What? And the Holy Spirit would not let me leave this page.

Instantly, I could sense the Spirit tugging on my heart. My mind traveled back to the days of being a teenager. I was thinking about something my dad used to say to me about public displays of affection. "What you're willing to do in public, means you'll do more in private." And you know, he was absolutely right. I had a high standard with this in my dating life. Avoid the appearance of evil, right?

Fast forward to my present situation. This time the author of my book is talking about my display of affection for my Lord. What I'm willing to do in public, I should mirror that or even go farther in my private worship with my Savior. Ouch! I was instantly convicted and began confessing. Worship is my work. I have never struggled to engage in worship. Even when my dad used to make me hold onto the pulpit so I wouldn't raise my hands when I sang in church as I child, I felt the freedom to do so. I've never been embarrassed about getting involved and leading others to do the same.

Just recently, my BFF Angie and I went to the Travis Cottrell "Jesus Saves" concert at a local church on a Sunday night. I needed to go so badly. We both went with great anticipation of meeting Christ and being filled with a fresh anointing of the Spirit at this event. It took me a couple of songs to get my producer mode turned off, and then I just worshipped, standing, clapping, singing, raising my hands in adoration - whatever felt appropriate. It was honest and heartfelt - AUTHENTIC would be a great way to describe how I was feeling about this worship experience. And then the singers began to sing a song I had never heard, "The Mercy Seat". Oh, this song was an experience all its own to me. My mind was instantly taken to the scripture in Isaiah 6 where Isaiah come into the temple to see the Lord high and lifted up. His glory filled the temple. And the creatures gathered around him were singing, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come." But Isaiah could not speak. His lips were unclean. And a creature flew to him and touched his lips with a white hot coal, so that he was made clean. I had to sit down and cry. Here I was, almost at the end of my worship experience, but I just needed to get on my face in the temple. I couldn't, I was wearing a dress, but I knew in my mind I could. I could enter that throne room boldly and fall at the feet of Jesus. The words to song they were singing are...

"He said that I could come into His presence without fear

Where His mercy hovers near

I'm running, I'm running, I'm running to the mercy seat

Where Jesus is waiting

His grace and blood will cover me...

Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy

Lord have mercy on me..."

And I knew I was covered and forgiven, just as Isaiah knew he could approach the throne because his lips were made clean. But here is my question, for myself, "Does this type of experience get mirrored in my private worship, when I am alone, just me and Jesus, and He's waiting for my personal adoration? When there is no one to lead. Does my private worship glorify the One who created me to worship Him?" Lord, I bow the knee in surrender.... You are worthy to receive more.

Jesus Is My Lord and I Am Not Ashamed!

I was most privileged to be a part of the most amazing service I have seen in my 10 years of ministry. My church, First Baptist Euless, baptized 107 people in our 2 services yesterday. The Spirit was heavy and God's people responded over and over to His leading. I was definitely worshipping while I worked. We started the day with over 80 people who had already responded to our pastor's message about Biblical baptism as our first act of obedience after salvation. Bro. John stated it so well,

"If your first act to follow Christ in obedience is believer's baptism, then can He give you the next step until you follow this one?" This question rang true in the hearts of many in our congregation who had been on the list for a long while, as well as new believers too. We planned and prepared for three weeks until we reached "Not Ashamed" Sunday. Worship was amazing and the people were engaged in every way. Then one after one, our congregation cheered as 3 of our ministers baptized our church members 3 at a time in the big horse troughs you see above. But, the MOST powerful part was the declaration that each person proclaimed before they were submerged in the water. One by one, they stood and said, "My name is ____, Jesus is My Lord and I am not ashamed!" And with every declaration, our congregation applauded, cheered, cried, agreed. It was so moving. I struggled at times to push back my tears as I was working. Deacons, connection class leaders, children, Senior citizens, God's children proclaiming their love for their Master.

And just when I thought it couldn't get any better, Bro. John took time in the middle of our 2nd service to share the Gospel and invited those in the congregation who wanted to accept Him, as well as those who needed to drop their pride and take that hard step of obedience for baptism, to come forward. And instantly - people began to move. Praise Team members, deacons, children's workers, friends - to the cheers and applause of our congregation - a roar like you might have heard at a football game right after an interception or a touchdown - the people of First Euless rang out in support of their brothers and sisters as they moved to obey Christ. Well, there was no holding back those tears anymore. And we added to our plan and by the end of the day, 107 people had been through the baptism waters, one by one, standing together proclaiming, "Jesus is my Lord and I am not ashamed!" And as we concluded, what I think everyone would have loved to have gone on and on, we lifted our voices together to praise the One who is The Gospel. I can hear it now...

"Savior, He can move the mountains.

My God is mighty to save. He is mighty to save.

Forever, Author of Salvation.

He rose and conquered the grave.

Jesus conquered the grave.

Shine your light and let the whole world see

We're singing, for the glory of the Risen King, Jesus!"

And Robert and the band just let the music roll and settle as our people clapped, jumped, lifted their hands in adoration of the One who is our Salvation.

My name is Lainie Thomas. Jesus is my Lord and I am Not Ashamed!"

Romans 1:16

Marking Time

I have a secret to tell you. I'm not like most folks who mark the beginning of their year on January 1st. I know it sounds funny, but for the last 13 years of my life, I have marked my "beginning of a new year" by our family vacation to the beach. I think it might be because of where it falls. The kids are about to start a new school year. Summer is coming to an end. Fall kick off at church or promotion Sunday as some might call it. Maybe it feels like a new beginning because I've been in ministry for 10 years now and fall marks the beginning of the "new year". So, my mind flows that way. I think that is another reason why I reminisce and get nostalgic when I'm here too. And after 13 years of Thomas family beach vacations, I can mark time with each vacation. So, it's not just my great book I read this week that puts me in that mind time-traveling mode.

Just last night, we went to get ice cream with our friends from Maryland. Although Bailey and Abby had been spent several days together on the beach, it was the first time they had seen Brody all week. And as we walked through the Destin Harbor after the fireworks were over, Lori looked right at me and commented about Brody, "Wow, he's really grown a lot over this past year." See what I mean. These weeks are like a marker for me. Like a line in the sand of another year that has passed by. And I find myself enjoying each one more than the one before. This afternoon, we all stood together on the sand, and Phil said, "Well, we'll see ya next year, same time, same place." Then he started this, "Happy birthday to all of you. Happy Thanksgiving. Merry Christmas. Congratulations on your seminary graduation, Bradley." We all chuckled, but that was exactly what I was standing there thinking. Here comes another year. If the Lord tarries and we are all blessed to be here in one year, the kids will all be taller. Bradley will have completed his Master's degree from Southwestern. Horray! Bailey will have completed her first year of middle school. Brody will be about to start his last year of elementary school. I will be 30 lbs lighter (yes, only 30 more to go). We'll all be a year older. I'll have been out of high school for more than 20 years. Will Brody be wearing braces this time next year? I could go on and on....

As our beach friends walked away, I thought to myself...a lot can happen in a year. There is potential for so many new and wonderful things in our lives. What if Bailey has her first real crush on a boy this year? She sits on the verge of so many new things at her age and heading into middle school. How many inches will Brody have grown? Will there be any significant changes in our family and all our lives? Truly, only the Lord knows our steps ordered for this next year that lay out in front of us. Just like looking across the ocean that seems to stretch out endlessly into the horizon....this next year is endless with possibilities.

Sitting here in Florida tonight and knowing that tomorrow we head back home and that new year in our family begins, I feel both sad and excited. It was a good year for the family. It had its highs and lows, joys and sorrows. It's hard to believe how the kids have grown and changed. We'll never get this time back. But then I look at the potential for what lies ahead and I am excited. We'll place our trust surely on the Lord who knows what lies ahead. We'll seek Him first and He promises we will find Him. We'll be faithful in all He entrusts us with this year and ask His blessings upon our family. We'll not waste a minute loving each other. We'll laugh along the way. And when tears spring up, we'll give each other a shoulder to cry on. We'll celebrate the accomplishments and give each other courage to try again after the failures. We'll dream big and dare to use our imaginations to seek new adventures. And when Jasper (our family car) pulls into Destin next year, we'll take time remember the journey that has brought us around to another Thomas family vacation at the beach. I anticipate it even now. Until then, let's get back at it. There is much to be done....

BIG Beach Imaginations

I love to use my imagination. If there is one thing that living in the rural country-side when I was little taught me, it was how to use my imagination to pass many summer days by. I've posted before about how my brother and I spent hours on end playing with rocks, leaves, dirt, etc., all powered by nothing but our imaginations when we were growing up. It was awesome and I attribute much of my creative brainstorming abilities to just having grown up with my imagination being my best and favorite toy. Time travel back to the Summer of '09...

So, Bradley and I are raising our kids in a world filled with technology. I mean, Nintendo DS's, iPods, XBoxes, digital everything, I could go on and on. Kids in today's world should NEVER get bored, right? The world is always at their fingertips. Well, I had a proud and fun mommy moment today while at the pool with my kiddiloos. Bradley wanted to go back to the beach, but the kids just wanted to swim around the pool. And we were all alone on this gorgeous day in this huge pool, together.

Imagine this scene with me...Bailey and Brody were only about 10 feet apart from each other in the water. Both had their goggles on. And both were "playing" their own adventures. I began to watch and even more, listen to what they were doing. Brody was scuba diving. He wasn't in a pool at all! He was out on the big, blue ocean, on a huge boat, all dressed up in a full scuba rig, wearing a black scuba suit (I know, 'cause I asked him). He was diving into the deep ocean trying to rescue some "thing" that was sunken below. He crouched on the side of the ship (pool), and when he had his rig (goggles) all set, he'd give the captain of the boat a signal, and then he's launch himself backwards off the boat ledge (pool ledge) and into the ocean. After some scuba time, he'd come up with a treasure (a diving ball) that he'd rescued from the bottom of the very deep ocean. Over and over I watched him pretend his scuba adventure until all of the treasure was safely aboard his sea-faring vessel (a plastic blue toy ship).

Now I turned my attention to Bailey. She was just a few feet away from him, and she was a cast member on the CBS show, "Survivor". She was participating in a swimming challenge that appeared to be a killer! She was swimming laps with these yellow, weighted swimming balls in a race against the other survivors on her tropical island of wherever. At times, she'd just have to lean over the side of the ocean (pool), and her chest would heave with exhaustion from the cruel race that Jeff had just put all of the Survivors through. Wow...she was really earning her chance at a million dollars. It was impressive.

Now about 20 minutes later, Brody the 9 year old and Bailey the 11 year old were back in the pool in Destin with me, their adventures safely concluded for now. They decided that we needed to head back down to the beach. And that was just the beginning. The waves were crashing in to the shore pretty good, and they took their boogie boards and headed out for some surfin' fun. I'm watching and reading at the same time. This time they appear to just be riding the waves, when they come crawling up onto the beach together, as if they had been swimming towards shore for days. Bailey walks up and says this to me, "Ma'am, could we bunk in your house tonight? Our ship crashed out in the middle of the ocean, we've been swimming for days, we're starving and sleepy and exhausted!" Of course, without hesitation I replied, "What proof can you give me that you 2 ocean-faring strangers aren't dangerous? How can I trust you to sleep under my roof tonight?" And she said, "Ma'am, we'd be happy to sleep under your tent here on the beach if you'd let us." Well, who could argue with that. And they begin to gather "barnacle" (dried sea weed), which apparently goes extremely well with little fishies that can be easily caught along the shore. And they turned all of our beach toys into stoves,pots, fires, and everything you need when you're stranded from a ship wreck.

Oh, I could go on and on writing about their adventures this afternoon. But I'll just end this post by saying, "Thank you, Lord, that my kids have big, huge imaginations and they never tire of using them." I hope that is something I can contine to model for them, and when I blessed enough, I hope I get to continue participating in their grand "pretend" adventures. What a great day at the beach! I wonder what tomorrow holds in store for us?

The Beach & Friends

This is our second year coming to this particular place in Florida for vacation. We spent 10 years of vacations at the same beach in New Smyrna Beach, FL, and then our move to Texas brought the need to find a more centralized location between Texas and Tennessee. Destin was it and we love it. Last year, on our second day on the beach, there was a girl about Bailey's age who kept wondering around us, looking over, watching our family have fun on the beach. When we moved up to the pool, she ventured over in the water to introduce herself as Abby from Maryland. It didn't take 2 minutes for Abby from Maryland to become fast friends with Bailey. Abby's parents are blessed enough to own property here in Destin and they come the same two weeks every year, which happens to be the same time as our vacation. So, after almost one week of beach fun, our families felt like a friendship had been formed. But our week always flies by so fast and before we knew it, it was time for our Maryland friends to head back north and time for us to venture back across to Texas. But thanks to technology and emails, the girls have stayed in touch over the last year.

So, now we find ourselves in 2009, and right back at the beach visiting with our Maryland friends. And to keep the mind-time-traveling theme going, it didn't take 2 minutes and it was as if no time had passed since the last time the girls had strolled into the water, laughing, jumping waves, just having fun. However, there are some differences to let me know that time has passed. Bailey is now the same height as Abby. I happen to weigh quite a bit less than this time last year (just had to put that in there), and of course, my baby girl is about to become a middle schooler. But here we are, sitting, visiting, talking about beach property, politics, etc...right where we left our Maryland friends this time last year. And I loved it.

Now let me also mention that after dinner, Brody video Skyped with his #1 BFF who is in Texas and has been missing his best buddy quite a bit. And so, of course, the mommy BFF's had to have a little catch up time too. Technology just makes keeping in touch so much easier for us these days.

But the point to my blog isn't really about the passing of time or technology, but about the fact that I've always wanted my kids to have friendships that stretch across time and even miles that are important to them. The ones that just pick back up where they seemed to have left off. One like I have with my childhood friend, Angie. I can say after 28 years of friendship, that my life has been richly blessed by sharing so many years, moments, and memories with Angie. Sometimes reminiscing with her is like turning the pages of your favorite book that spans across several decades. It's like your favorite, warm blanket and a cup of homemade cocoa. It is comfortable and comforting that someone has your same memories...the same pictures that play in your mind likes old movies. Unfortunately I can't time travel to the future to see if these friendships of my children will last as long as mine has, but watching and listening to these encounters come and go makes me hopeful for them. I know their lives will be nothing but enriched by these friendships reaching years, decades into their futures.

It was a good day...the beach and friends only made it better. Wonder what tomorrow will bring our way?

What's In A Name?

I'm almost done reading my book here at the beach, "The Time Traveler's Wife". It is just so good to soak up the sun with a good book. Today, Henry and Clare had a baby girl in my book, and it wasn't until two weeks before she was born that they chose her name. I loved this chapter...they were spitting out names and looking up their meanings. Of course, I had my own little time travel - in my mind- back to a conversation that Bailey, Brody and I just had yesterday.

Here we go...We were walking along the beach, joking about what if Bradley and I were to have more babies. Brody would love that, but not Bailey. She is just fine being the only princess in our family. But immediately, she said, it would be a Cooper or a Delaney. That led us into this great conversation about names. I asked Bailey if she liked her name and she said an emphatic "yes!" Of course, Brody chimed in just the same. She was almost an "Emerson" and she likes that name, but told me that she is very happy being a Bailey. I told her that I never really liked my name when I was growing up (sorry Daddy). My brother has a very important family name, James Andrew Gore III. He was a promised fulfilled to my grandfather, the Sr., and just in case you want to know, the IV has been born and he'll be 12 this year. Back to our conversation....I was telling Bailey that my brother Jamie got to have 2 names - his long one and then the one we all called him, Jamie. But everyone called me Elaine and that was my middle name. But my Aunt Jane started calling me Lainie when I was little and I LOVED IT! I have always wanted that to just be my real name. Don't get me wrong, I love who I am named for, my Aunt Elaine who passed away when she was only 8 years old from brain cancer. In my mind-time-traveling state, I often wish I could have met her. She was a beautiful little girl with beautiful ringlet curls all over her head. My niece Chloe has her hair. Anyway...I love that I was named for her, but to me Lainie just fits my personality.

It was then that Bailey asked me if she would be the next to have twins. I told her that it was definitely possible. Twins skip generations in my family. My Mamms had a twin brother, Robert. I have a twin brother, Jamie...so Bailey could be the next to have twins. WOW...just consider this time warp conversation. Bailey, almost 11 years old next week, begins to tell me that she'd like to keep the B's going. She will name the twins Bradie Rebecca (for the girl) and Brett Lee (for the boy). Rebecca is a family name for both the Thomas side and the Gore side. Lee is her Grandad Thomas's middle name and one we wanted to pass along, but just didn't have enough kids for that. Bailey has seemed to settle on the fact that she too will have boy and girl twins. I tell her that Daddy and I will love them and we'll come and help her when she has them. And then we begin to talk about the day when her kids are running around on the beach with us. I happen to ask if she knows her husband's name just in case. She just responds with an "ew..no!" That's enough to make a mom of an 11 year old girl smile. :)

And just like that, we're back to 2009...it's time to come in and make dinner. Just as we're about to leave the beach, she looks over at me and says, "Mom, if I really have twins some day, I'm gonna need your photographic memory to help me remember what I want to name them, ok?" I smile and say, "I've got ya covered, girlie." What a conversation filled with many different periods of time and locations - memories of the past and hopes of ones to come.

Time Traveling At The Beach

One of my favorite things to do at the beach is to read. This year, I brought the book, "The Time Traveler's Wife". I've heard all the acclaim for the movie, but I love to read best sellers before I watch the movie, so this is my summer reading. And I am thoroughly enjoying it. It is such a great read and quite a creative concept to keep up with Clare and Henry over many dates, times and ages. And it has put me in a mental time traveling state. It actually started before I began reading the book. The beach just brings back many wonderful memories for me of my amazing family. As Bradley and I walked up to our new condo that we chose to stay out this year, my mind wondered back to the first time he and I arrived at the beach together for family vacation. In 2009, this year, we arrived before the family, but in the Summer of 1997, we arrived last. And we were met by Bradley's dad, Dr. Danny Thomas (I called him Doc back then and just Dad now), who said this as we stepped out of our car, "Bradley, how could you chose this place? It is a dump and your mom is upset!" He was helping us put our stuff on a cart to traverse up to 301 of Moontide. And I was dying on the inside. Oh no! We're going to be here an entire week with my in-laws of just over a year and Bradley's grandparents, and they hate it! Wow, this will be too much fun. And then we walked into the condo and Bradley's mom was jumping up and down, squealing with excitement because the condo was beautiful! Nice! Bradley's dad got us good. Now fast-forward 13 years later and we're walking into our new condo. Bradley opens the door, while holding his breath and then, we both start jumping up and down, squealing with delight! No, this is the BEST condo ever! And right then and there Bradley decides to turn this 13 year old joke on his dad. Hysterical! My time traveling started right then and there.

Sitting on the deck today reading my book, Bailey comes out to sit by me. She is almost as tall as me. She has some of my features, but her figure is Becky Thomas all the way, and I am so grateful. And just like that, I'm back at the beach in 1998. It is a hot June day. I'm wearing a blue and green maternity bathing suit and yellow cover up. I know!!! It is about day 3 of our week long vacation and I'm trying to figure out how to sit my very big baby-belly down gracefully on my beach chair. Just when I get comfortable, a man walks over to me from his area on the beach. He's holding a shovel and proceeds to ask me if I need help with my umbrella today. I tell him no thanks. My husband is just about to come down and put it in the sand for me. Just then he says this, "Ma'm, I wanted you to know that I am a doctor and you look like you could deliver any day, so if you happen to go into labor, just scream and I can help you." I can hear it like it was yesterday. I proceed to pat my very large, whale-like belly and say, "I only have 3 more months to go, sir, so I think I'll be okay today. But thank you anyway." He walks quietly away. If I didn't love the beach so much, I would have waddled right back up to our room. But, I was pretty much stuck in my chair anyway. Bailey would be born just 3 months later. It was her first trip to the beach. And instantly, I'm back in 2009 and she's asking me to go for a walk on the beach with her and Brody. What a fun trip back in time! And no waddling this time.

As we walk down the beach looking at washed up Jellyfish, my mind continues to take little time trips. I begin to share some of them with my kids. They laugh as I do. Like one summer in New Symrna, which Brody used to lovingly call "New Smyrnal", we were out on the deck on a rainy day. Much like today, the waves were crashing the shore. I think that was what made my mind wonder back across time. I asked Bailey if she remembered that mom on the deck next to ours yelling to get her daughter out of the ocean. It was actually closed to people that day too. She was yelling "Nunee!" I guess that we her name. Bailey instantly started dying laughing. That is only something my family would understand. Back into 2009, Brody wanted a story about him at the beach. His first trip was to New Smyrna. The first time we sat him on the beach, he just ate an entire handful. No crying, no choking...He just ate it. He's loved the beach ever since. I instantly time travel to the summer of 2004. Brody is 4 and we're all sitting around the pool together. Of course, he is afraid of nothing. It is after dinner and we're all just sitting on chairs up on the roof of the Moontide talking about our day. The next thing I know, Brody yells back at us, "Look, I can swim!" And in he jumps. The only problem is, his swimmies are sitting on the side of the pool. Of course, we all panic and jump up into our lifesaving mode to go and rescue our dying 4 year old son. Only, he's swimming like a fish all over the pool. Just like that. He's never looked back. And just like that I'm in 2009, sitting in Destin, holding my book, watching my tanned beach boy in his goggles doing laps like he's Michael Phelps. I think this time he's doing the breast-stroke and he's pretty good.

In the 2 days we've been here together, I bet I have "time traveled" over 100 times to precious memories of us over the last 13 years. Moments engraved in my mind. Since I have a photographic memory, they all seem as vivid as if they were just happening in the here and now. Where has the time gone? The baby who was in my belly in 1998 is laying over there on the couch. She's starting middle school on Monday. My beach baby has been practing his tackle football skills by tackling pillows on his bed in the next room. My amazing husband is stretched out on the middle couch with a camo band-aid over his right eye...wait, that's another story for another blog adventure. In short, I have and am loving my life. We are so blessed! And I'm grateful that I can condure up these moments of life, precious and priceless moments, to keep my company in my here and now. On to the next adventure!

Divert...Withdraw...Abandon...

Have you missed me? I've been quiet again...I know, it's been a while. The spring was...mmm...interesting. The summer has been busier than expected. And now, we're nearing the end of summer and that means my family ventures to the beach for vacation. And I have to be honest to myself and to you and say that sometimes I just don't feel that I have anything worth listening too. That's sad in a way. I identify that feeling in my life as being stale or just plain tired. I recently read a quote from Rick Warren about staying fresh in ministry, "Divert daily, Withdraw weekly, Abandon annually." Yes, this makes great sense to me. And here at the beach, I seem to get my bearings straightened out. It couldn't come at a better time. My wonderful boss sent me to an awesome conference and now my toes are on the white sand of Destin. Yes..... When you serve in a creative industry and you have to create every 7 days, tired comes easy. But let's look at this quote and see how it might help us to recover, get back on track, and get back at it. Ok?

DIVERT DAILY: I read this as spending time in the Word and prayer with my Creator. Daily diversion from the rat race, the grind stone, and I could think up 100 more cliches. HA! But this is solid truth. The source of my power and daily strength comes but from one place. In Christ Alone! How sad that I have to make time to divert. Life is really that busy isn't it? As soon as my feet hit the floor, I have family with needs. A cell phone that starts to ring. A computer with tons of emails to be answered. Meetings to attend. Oh, and let's not forget Facebook - got to check in with my 100's of peeps. :) But shouldn't the main priority be to DIVERT from all that could be a distraction to just spending time alone with my Maker. I've been learning that I really must do it all day long, as I go about the rat race. Thank you Lord for being in the mundane and every day with me. Next...

WITHDRAW WEEKLY: I think this could be as simple as really have a day off every week. Time away from the office, etc. But often for me, it means corporate worship. Now, worship is my work and I absolutely love it! There is no greater joy than watching people join in with you, to worship Our Father. I think both are a must! There must be a day that I just don't check my work email...as long as I can without being incredibly behind since Sunday is a comin'. But to gather together with the saints to corporately focus on the One who created us for Worship. YES...it must be done weekly. Even here in Destin, we took out the MacBook Pro and logged onto firsteuless.com and worshipped with our fellow saints in Texas, only we were all still in our PJ's. A nice treat to sleep in until 9:15 am and still get to watch worship. And it was heaven. Tears came to my eyes as I watched and listened to our precious choir sing "God is Here" this morning. And He was here...sitting on my heart...speaking to me. "Rest child. Now is the time to rest. I have much I need you to do, but right now, you need to rest." Thank you Lord for the still, quiet voice that speaks to my soul. Which brings me to #3...

ABANDON ANNUALLY: Ah... the beach. Even with a tropical storm brewing up in the gulf, we've traveled away from home to be together as a family and abandon the normal pace of life. Once a year. I tell people all the time that the beach is a must for me. That's not really true, but I sure do enjoy it. And the Lord blessed us this year to be able to make another trip to the beach. And let me tell you, we're staying in the BEST condo we've ever stayed in. Way to go honey! Can I get an "Amen!" And then the Lord spoke so softly to me this morning,..."Just rest". So, here I am...soaking up the sun (well, once the tropical storm passes over tomorrow), sitting on the sand, reading, resting, napping, cooking, laughing, celebrating, talking, praying, thinking, writing, looking, being abandoned to this I so needed.

There sure seems to be something to this quote. "Divert daily...Withdraw weekly...Abandon annually." I think I feel it working.

Enter into Rest

I shared yesterday about my priorities being called back into order by the Lord.  Him first.  I shared with you that sitting still and being quiet isn't easy for me.  Well here is another one that I've been noodling in recent days as I've been taking this trip to rejuvenation God's way.  ENTERING INTO REST.  I'm studying Hebrews in my 5x5x5 devotional guide that our Pastor recommended to our church this year.  In Hebrews 4, Paul (and I personally think he wrote this book of the Bible) is talking to the new believers about the Day of Rest.  He goes all the way back to the creation of the world and the example laid out for us there in Genesis.  God worked, created for 6 days, and then He entered into rest.  Paul is encouraging the new believers here that they too need to follow this guideline and find a pause to their work and enter into rest.  Now the Jewish tradition is very strict about the Sabbath day.  A devout Jew followed the law which stated that they couldn't carry anything, do any work, even walk a mile on the Day of Rest.  Here Paul is speaking to the devout Jewish converts who have overcome the law and believed in Christ that are struggling with their new faith vs. the old law.  He is encouraging them that they do need a day of rest  Hebrews 4:10-11 says, "Let the person who has entered HIS rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from His.  Let us then make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience."   I am not legalistic...thank God for breaking free from the binds of legalism, and being that I WORK on Sunday since I am in full time ministry, I know that I am not being disobedient as this scripture is encouraging them to avoid.  And it does say "make every effort"; however the command to rest still remains.  

So how does a person in full time ministry enter into rest?  CREATIVELY of course! Theoretically, there is another day which should be a day of rest.  Friday is my day off and that is the day I set aside as my day of rest, but if I'm not really careful, it can get away from me. Sometimes getting ready for Sunday just isn't finished on Thursday by 5 pm.  Well, most weeks it isn't.  But as I'm taking the journey of rejuvenation God's way, I'm realizing that "entering into HIS rest" is a must in this process.  All I can honestly say right now is that I am taking this matter to Christ in prayer, especially when those weeks come when we must use our day off to complete the tasks so that our members can come and be blessed and enter into worship on their Day of Rest.  And as wonderful as the power source is (God's Word) the Lord gave us this verse in Hebrews 4:16, "Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need."  The job of a person is full-time ministry can't always guarantee an entire day every 6 days...and there is grace and not law in this area; however, I know that this command is for my health - spiritually, mentally, emotionally - even Jesus took rest even if it was just an hour of prayer in a quiet spot away from the disciples.  I am taking this need in my life boldly to the throne.  Rejuvenation God's way means He'll make the time.  He'll carve out the moments.  He'll provide the strength.  He'll meet the need and I will find grace in my time of need.  And since He is the great Creator, He'll help me find creative ways on busy weeks to enter into rest...as long as I'm doing this God's way and entering into HIS REST.  Make every effort to enter into rest....God commands it and we need it.   

Quiet The Creative

So, it's been a while. I know and I was doing so well with keeping my posts on a pretty regular basis. And the truth is, I have missed this outlet. I'll give you a quick overview of why I took my break.

Our church hosted a conference that set up five 15 hour days for me right in a row. That week ended with me attending a Creative Church Conference that I really felt would be the thing to rejuvenate me from the big work load I had just finished. Only, I found myself almost feeling depressed at the conference. I can't explain it except to say that I just felt emptied out. Then I caught what I think was the flu (my daughter had it terrible) and wound up in the bed. Isn't it funny that God can use awful things like the flu to help us slow down and be forced to take care of ourselves for a little while. And while I was on my back, doing lots of sleeping, I felt the still small voice of the Lord doing lots of speaking to my soul. I had put together a lot of great work for a lot of people, but I had done most of it under my own strength. I felt the Lord was calling me to an adjustment of my priorities after this long run of churning out the work. So, I started on my second day at home in the bed by tapping back into my Power Source - God's Word. I made a list of everything that I had stopped doing that I was doing before this really busy time hit.. I was sure that just getting back to all my stuff would get me rolling again and feeling like myself, but the Lord just said "Wait". I felt like He wanted some of my creative outlets to be on hold. And I know it is because I had gotten out of sorts in a way. I couldn't put my family and all my responsibility on hold. I couldn't put my job responsibilities on hold. But I did feel that Christ was calling me back to order. Him first. He provides the energy. He makes the way. He lengthens the time. He creates the ideas and gifts them to me. And He was calling me back to sit and listen.
I have to be honest, I struggle with sitting still and being quiet. I know, this is not a big revelation for those of you that know me well, and obviously not for the Lord either. But I didn't really need a day at the spa. I didn't really need to get inspiration from an amazing conference. I needed to sit at the feet of my Father, tap into the power that raised His Son from the dead, listen and be filled. And it's funny, work didn't suffer, family didn't suffer. I didn't lose my creative edge from being quiet and waiting. What I found was what I went to that conference seeking - a resurgence God's power...the one Paul speaks of in Ephesians 1:17-19, "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised him from the dead and seated Him at the right hand in heaven."
If you serve in a creative field or even just read this blog, this is my prayer for you. When we run out of ideas, find ourselves exhausted and empty, we can be like Elijah in the Old Testament after the victory at Mt. Carmel. We can sit down and talk to the Lord. He told Elijah to eat and sleep. And when we was rested, the Lord told him to get up and run. There was more work to do. It is just so much easier when we use His unlimited power instead of our feeble attempts.

Thank You For Letting Me Collaborate With You!

A few months ago my Internet mentor, Nancy Beach, posted on her blog about COLLABORATION.  As usual, her blog post was completely inspiring to me, and it was then that I decided to enter this word into my vocabulary for regular use.  I do like to just say the world "Collaboration", but I love what it means even more.  TEAM WORK!  If you know me, then you know that I love to work with a team.  I am often heard calling it "Kingdom Work".  There is no greater creative planning or implementation than when it has been done with a team.  I get juiced from working with others who love to dream out loud and aren't afraid to fail forward.  When you try to do it all by yourself, it just seems hard and I personally think your creativity is limited in some way.  I am best when I am surrounded by a team.  I have always had the problem, or some would call it that,  of just not seeing the lines when it comes to ministry.  When I'm asked to partner with someone in another area, I am so honored.  Not because they need my help, but  because I get the chance to learn something from them while we work.  And you know how I love to LEARN! Kingdom Work is blessed by our Creator.  Let's think about this for just a moment.  In the beginning, God created...  and that includes Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  The team - The Trinity - God 3 in One.  The very first recorded example of Creativity was a team!  Thank you Lord for the example.  In the creative arts field, we just have to surround ourselves with a good team - paid or volunteer.  Without others, the work is hard, the thanks is little, and the job is too big.  The statistics of burnout in this field is huge.  Just ask Nancy Beach.

On this note, I'd just like to give thanks to the people that allow me to COLLABORATE with them.   

First, my husband, Bradley.  We make the greatest team!  I call him my secret weapon.  From our home, to our kids, to ministry for over 13 years together now - he is my greatest teammate and the one who brings out the best in me.  He's never too busy, never too tired, never too afraid to hear my crazy brain.  He's also the first to give me godly wisdom when I need to hear Truth.  I love him more with each passing year!

Second, my BFF, Angie Elkins.  We've been a team for longer than I can believe sometimes.  From Senior class President and VP, to high school musicals and friendship - some of my favorite creative ministry moments have been as a result of her creative brain - a seed that she has planted in my mind and let me run with it, or should I say trusted me with.  Collaboration with her is always fun, easy and I love it!  I look forward to 28 more years of it.  

Third, my ministry mentor, Mark Blair.  He saw something in me that I knew was there but felt would have to wait.  He listened to the Lord's prompting and gave me a chance to soak up his amazing knowledge in all aspects of ministry and the arts.  He gave me direction to find the way, correction when my way was wrong, wisdom when the way seemed blurry and encouragement to keep stretching my wings.  Leaving the nest of his ministry was painful at the time, but God took that leap of faith and blew my mind.  I am grateful for his time, for his partnership and trust to do ministry together for 5 years.  One of my greatest privileges in life.

Fourth, my daddy, Andy Gore.  He taught me the LOVE OF LEARNING.  Literally, he was my first teacher -  Homeschool kindergarten in New Albany, MS.  He was the one who set the bar of expectation high, and then gave us the ladder to reach the bar.  He was my biggest cheerleader back in the day and he still is today.  He knows all of my failures and helped me turn them into some of my greatest successes.  He taught me how to love and be loved.  I will forever be a student because of this great man who showed the way every day and still does.  I will always be a Daddy's girl and proud of it.

Abba Father, thank you for these amazing teammates.  I am a very blessed woman.  Please Lord, give me years of continued creative collaboration with these very important people.  I thank you in advance and give you all the glory.

Failing Forward

Yes, you read that right, not falling forward, but failing forward. Noodle on this, "Failure is not an option. Failure is a requirement." (Bobby Gruenewald, LifeChurch.tv) Sound weird in your brain?

Just tonight I had one of those long conversations with my 10 year old about the 75 she got on her spelling test last week, since she didn't remember to bring her list of words home to study. My point is we have to stay on top of our preparation so that her grades reflect her ability. Trust me, she is super smart...so in this area, failure is not an option. So when bad grades come home, what I want her to learn is that she must fail forward - learn from her mistakes and make a better grade. Great news is, she gets another chance this week. These conversations are never fun, but the desired result will be rewarding in the end.

Now, let's consider this in the context of CREATIVITY. Noodle this one, "When you fail, you get to try again. You get another chance to create. Mental risk takers are more likely to produce creative results by working at the edge of their competence, where the possibility of failure lurks." (David Perkins, Harvard University) This guy is saying that when you are out there, perhaps way out of your comfort zone, you just might find your greatest achievement waiting way out there. Perhaps when you're risking what you know and what you're comfortable with. In essence, there can be mental freedom in failing. It allows you to look and say, "Okay, so we can eliminate these things because they don't work." Imagine that.....

My dad used to do this with me. I would come in and sit on his lap...cry my mascara from one shoulder to the other. He's listen, let me get the tears out, then he'd dry me up and say, "You tried, you failed. NOW, what did you learn? What will you do different next time?" Then, he'd encourage me to not be afraid of getting back at it, take what I learned and go try again!

Craig Groeschel was quoted in Innovation Magazine as saying, "I tell our staff over and over: Failure is not an option, it is essential. If you're not failing, you've stopped dreaming. And eventually, you'll stop learning and growing." I personally believe that in my field of ministry this is so true. One of the things I see that hold people back, myself included, is the fear of failing. The "What if my idea stinks or doesn't work?" It can be completely paralyzing at times. I have sat in meetings before and actually been afraid of sharing ideas for the fear of being ridiculed that my idea would be a failure. This was something that I realized early on that I had to break free from. My mentor certainly helped. No idea was bad and everyone was heard. Creativity must include an element of failure. Especially in the brainstorming phase. There is no dream that is impossible when you're brainstorming. NO just simply shouldn't be allowed. There is no limit to the budget when we're dreaming. There is nothing to hard to accomplish or to big of a task to tackle. If you bring your limitations - or better said FEARS to the brainstorming table, then you're not really dreaming. As a creative, I feed off of other people's thoughts and ideas. Throw everything out there, like spaghetti against the kitchen wall and see what sticks. Together, we might discover the greatest idea our ministry has ever seen. Keep it in your head and we've been limited and perhaps didn't even know it. The time to take our dreams and make them reality comes when the brainstorming is done. That is an art itself. We'll talk about that one in a later post.

Failing forward. We just can't be afraid to fail in life. Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes it brings us ridicule from others. But I can think of some great Americans who failed and failed again before they found success. Abe Lincoln for one. This man had hardship stacked against him. He lost jobs, failed in business, lost loved ones, lost congress races, even had a nervous breakdown in 1836 - yea, mental illness. There was a lot of failures there before this man, who many thought was a loser, became our president. And had he not led the way for the Emancipation Proclamation, I'm pretty sure my new President wouldn't be the President right now. History now treats Lincolns failures as inspiration for life. Thanks Abe.

Please hear my heart here...I'm not about being a failure. Absolutely not. I hate to make mistakes PERIOD! But I embrace the freedom that comes with being unafraid to face failures as I seek to help others create ministry. I'm not afraid to fail, as long as I failed forward. I get a new chance to create. Thank you Lord for mercy and grace and new chances.

Things That Make Me Creative

I recently read an article (which I will share with you very soon) about feeding the Creative Mind.  Isn't that a great title?  I personally think that every person is creative, some just know how to tap into it. Some were told early in life that they were not creative.   Some, perhaps, have just not continued to hone their skills and feed the mind in creative ways.  Everyone really has to answer this question for themselves.  But as I have said before, we were created by the Master Creator and in His image - His likeness - therefore, we are creative.  Ok, enough of that.

So, I know that there are certain things that make me feel more creative.  This is a funny list in a way, but over the years, I've realized

that these things work for me.  Maybe some of them will help you tap into your creative brain.   First, WATER.  At our church, we have 2 beautiful fountains on each side of our campus.  One is the fountain that is in the center of the walk way up to the Worship Center.  The other is a gorgeous fountain that flows down from the crosses.  It didn't take me long to figure out that I could walk outside, sit for a while, and come up with a solution to a problem.  The nice thing about Texas is that most of the time it is super nice, so walking outside is so easy, any time of day, and almost anytime of year.

But here is a crazier place where I am EXTREMELY CREATIVE...the shower.  I know, crazy, but this works for me.  There is something about getting in a steaming, hot shower that helps me think up anything.  Those who work closely with me know this, although I don't talk about it much, but most of my greatest ideas since going into full time ministry have come from showers.  One reason is that there are no interruptions there.  When the kids were little, this was the place that I could be alone, so uninterrupted thinking definitely helped.  There was actually a time here in Texas that I kept bathtub crayons in my shower to write down great ideas in case I forgot them before I finished.  I know...sounds silly doesn't it, but it is so true.  If I got on a roll, I just made a list and then when I was done, I would transcribe them in my journal.  This sounds funny, but you should try it if you find yourself day dreaming in the shower.  This was quite a discovery for me.

Here is another form of water, but is a little harder to get to than the previous two - THE BEACH!  I think the beach is void of distractions for me.  Once a year my family makes its pilgrimage to the beach and there I read, I cook, I sleep, I read, I tan, I read, I cook, I read.  It is the simple life and I get to drown myself in SPF 30 and read as many books as I can.  I always get in a good fiction book, usually a medical mystery and then spiritual growth books.  Sometimes I read fast enough that I get another fiction in on the way home.  The sun, the sand, the waves, the family time...it all adds up to great thinking.  This past year I didn't even take a nap out on the beach (yes, I am a terrible sleeper).  I read and then when my mind would get going, I would write in my journal.  I usually come back to work filled to the brim.  I love the beach.  Maybe I could Robert to fund another pilgrimage to the beach all in the name of work and creativity - well, probably NOT!

I can't finish this blog without talking about what a visual learner I am.  So, put anything that the eyes can see in this category - 

movies, billboards, commercials, magazines, conferences, videos, art....I could go on and on.  I can get great inspiration from anything that my eye can see.  So, I do practice that old saying, "Be careful little eye what you see..."  Not only am a totally visual learner, but I have a photographic memory that never ends.  A wrong image stays and stays with me.  Thank goodness for being raised by great parents and having great friends - and let's not forgot that our Lord can make all things new.  This brings me back to the picture at the very top of this blog - the mind.  Notice the cross in the middle of the mind.  This is how I stay at the peak of my creativity - by feeding the mind with the things of Christ.  Daily reading God's Word, hearing my Pastor preach scripture word for word, reading books that allow me to grow spiritually - I could go on and on.  I'm never as creative as when I am in tune with my Lord - the Master Creator.  What's on your list?  Maybe I can discover something new that helps me be creative....

Proven Peter & An Old Sturdy Tree

I told you my pastor is teaching through the book of James.  I love this book.  When I was a Junior in high school, my youth pastor/Bible teacher, Larry Ray, spent an entire semester teaching and leading us through the book of James.  It was so awesome to learn at that young age all the wisdom that James had to offer.  Ever since then, it has been my favorite book of the Bible.  I think of it as my Christian mirror.  I found myself feeling led by the Spirit to do my own study of James just last year.  I was in it so long.  There were verses that the Lord just wouldn't let me get past until I picked up that spiritual mirror and did not turn away until I had come to grips or should I say surrender of what needed to be fixed in my life.  So, now, my Pastor is walking us verse by verse through this wonderfully challenging book. All in the name of STORMS!  Yes, I did say challenging, didn't I.

So yesterday we had a great sermon about facing the storm of finances.  Awesome sermon.  But the Holy Spirit had my mind rolling on a particular example that Bro. John used in his sermon.  He was talking from James 1:12, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."    Great passage.  The example was the disciples.  After a long day of feeding the hungry crowd by a huge miracle, Jesus was tired and he put the disciples in a boat and told them to head across the Sea of Galilee and he'd meet them over there.  I'm sure they were thinking, he's be rowing across like there were, but we know better.  But, let's not jump ahead, shall we.  We might miss something good.  So, here the disciples are, rowing, rowing, rowing their boat, gently across the sea, when low and behold a huge storm blows up.  This time, they do not have their teacher with them.  And, of course, they choose chaos and panic, instead of calm and peace (see Saturday's blog post).  What do they do?  They are surely going to die.  And this was Jesus's idea!  He sent them over.  He told them to get in this boat!  WHY?  To test their faith.  Now, this is a great story.  They are all panicked and what do they see out ahead in this tumultuous sea?  A white figure heading their way.  Peter, he is the first to realize.  It is Jesus.  He asks, can I come to you Lord?  And since this is a faith testing exercise, Jesus says yes.  Oh, I do love Peter!  He just steps out, heading toward the one who is standing out there just looking at them.  But then the waves, which didn't fall in calm peacefulness like the last time they were in a storm with Jesus, they are hitting up against his thighs.  He realizes his garment is soaked.  He starts to look around and sees that this isn't normal and takes his eyes off the Lord.  And immediately, he sinks.  Can you imagine this with me?  How fast do you think Peter's mind was racing?  A mile a minute?  Yes, and do you think that he actually gulped up some Galilee in his lungs before Jesus reached and snatched him up? Then the Lord reminds Peter that he must act in faith.  His question, "Why did you doubt, Peter?"

Let me sum this up for you.  I was learning 2 lessons while my mind was noodling over another storm for the disciples - another testing of their faith.  Why?  Why this exercise?  And they had an advantage over us.  They could see, feel, hear Jesus.  They lived in the moment with this God-man.  James says "when he has stood the test".  Jesus put his 12 in the boat and then sent them a test.  But he didn't leave them in it alone.  He came walking out on that water to them.  He even let Peter leave the boat.  And even when Peter chose doubt over faith, thanks to his chaotic surroundings, Jesus didn't leave him.  He reached out, saved him and then reminded him of the lesson before him. TESTS OF FAITH.  That is why the storms are allowed or even sent our way.  To test us.  To prove us.  This is where I began to think about the tree.

Do you know how a tree becomes an old and sturdy tree...it survives storms and bad weather. Every time a tree is tested against the wind or a storm, it must reach its roots deeper into the earth to hold on through the test.  A dead tree, one not connected to its water source (ohhh, that would preach) will be uprooted in a storm every time.  But a strong, healthy tree, one with great, deep roots, will stand against the storm.  It will provide shelter for the birds of the air.  It will provide shade for little children playing in the yard.  Over time and tests, it becomes proven.  And then comes that promise in James 1:12, "the crown of life."  I know that is our ultimate goal.  When we stand, persevere against these storms - practicing, proving our faith - we find the promise of the God who loves us - the crown of life.  Worth it?  Absolutely!  And you know, Peter might have sunk in the sea, but he was the only one willing to step out of that boat. That lesson of doubt verses faith was personal for him.  He wasn't an onlooker, it was him who was holding Jesus's hand out on that wave-tossed sea.  And I bet that gulp of Galilee was there as a reminder for a while.  Personal Proving!  Jesus built His church upon that Rock named Peter.  What is Jesus trying to prove in your personal storm?  Keep your eyes fixed on the One who brought this storm your way, and who is standing right in the middle of the Galilee with you.  Look through the waves and the water.  He is there.  He's always there.  

Peace or Panic, Calm or Chaos?

Our Pastor is preaching a sermon series right now called "Peace in the Storm".  We're studying the book of James verse by verse over the next few weeks and this first one focuses on the storms in our lives.  You know that old saying...."If you're not in a storm, then you either just left one or you're heading towards one."  Isn't that true in life?  I'm also reading the Max Lucado book, "In the Eye of the Storm", so I've got this big theme going on in my life.  And you know how this goes...if you preacher decides to preach on it and you begin to study it or read about it, you just mind find yourself faced with it.  And I can give an AMEN right about here.  What was I thinking when I was telling people that January is my down time...things are so calm for me right now...  Can you hear me laughing as you read?

Storms are inevitable, right?  The Bible gives us such a great storm example of the disciples in a boat, WITH JESUS, and He's sleeping.  And of course, this terrible storm kicks up on the sea of smooth sailing and they find themselves being tossed to and fro and scared out of their brains.  Funny...they've got the Master of the Sea right in the boat with them.  But not knowing fully who He was and what He could do, they wake Him up mad!  "Jesus, what are you doing?  Sleeping at a time like this?"  Hey, have you ever felt this way?  You're in the middle of a storm and you're positive the boat is sinking, and it feels like Jesus is no where to be found.  You call out and He doesn't answer you.  Is He asleep?  Well, in this story, Jesus, fully God and fully man was sleeping, but He was there and completely in control of that situation.  And when they woke Him up with a panic in the middle of their chaos, He spoke a word and the storm obeyed and fell to a peaceful calm.  Can you imagine this with me?  What?  Do that again...oh wait, that would mean we'd need another storm.  Nevermind...but wasn't that a miracle.  At the spoken word, Jesus calmed the raging sea and brought them peace in the middle of their panic and calm in the middle of their chaos.

It got me thinking that this is always my choice in the middle of the storm.  I can run around, screaming, yelling, crying, PANICKED...or, I could choose to trust that My Lord is never far and if He brought me to this storm, He's gonna bring me through this storm.  The choice is mine, "Peace or Panic?  Calm or Chaos?"  

I know you're like me and you want to choose right, peace and calm.  So, let me leave you with another of my favorite sayings, "When you're waiting for the storm to pass, learn to dance in the rain."

Praying for My New President

Today my country installed its new leader, President Barak Obama.  I did not vote for Barak Obama, and I personally do not support much of the politics that he stands on, but today, he became my President.  And today, I have a responsibility toward him as the leader of this free nation that I live in.  I Timothy 2:1 says, "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."  I don't know about you, but I want to live a peaceful and quiet life as a believer in this country.  I want to be able to freely strive for godliness and holiness here in this country.  But as believers all over the nation are talking about, it feels as if Christians are the ones who could possibly be losing our freedom to live out loud what we believe.  So, my responsibility to my new President is this one thing, I MUST PRAY DILIGENTLY AND FERVENTLY FOR BARAK OBAMA.  Our Pastor shared a wonderful verse with us in our all staff meeting today....I am going to memorize it and take it to heart, and I urge you to do the same.  Proverbs 21:21, "The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes."  Friend, I don't know about you, but I take comfort in knowing that My Lord, the One by which "nothing is impossible", can change the heart of any man or woman.  I'm going to pray that God will surround my new President with godly men and women who will give him godly counsel about the affairs of this country.  Just this morning, a pastor that I respect and I admire from here in the DFW area, Bishop T.D. Jakes, was the first person to speak to and over our new President in his inauguration schedule.  Bishop was given the privilege to lead the private prayer service in the St. John's Episcopal Church this morning.  Don't you think he shared Jesus?  And then Rick Warren was given the privilege to pray at the Inauguration Ceremony...and don't you know he prayed/preached Jesus during that time.  The Lord has already begun to make a way.  And today, I take up my part in this prayer.  I urge you to do the same.  Our future religious freedom could very well be at stake from it.   

August Rush

Well, I know that I am behind on seeing this movie, but once I did, it was so inspiring.  I have a friend who told me that I would love it and I absolutely did.  Now, you know that I am a huge music lover, so this story about a child prodigy just feeling the music inside him, since both his mother and father were musical geniuses, and then just one day playing like he was B.B. King's guitar teacher, well, I can buy it.  Some things you are just born with, you know.  August's Rhapsody just flowing out of him was very inspiring, but for me, there was a whole other area of inspiration.  You see, I have 2 very impressionable kids.  Bailey is 10 and just about to start piano lessons, and Brody is 8 and just about to start guitar lessons...so kids and music is very much on my radar right now.  But also, watching a child, even one from a movie script, find his potential and realize that he's been given a gift that can change the world around him...now that is inspiring.  My kids are so like this. One day, Brody is going to be a professional football player on the weekends and an artist during the week...

Oh, and by the way, he's also a professional paper folder (origami is his new fave); he's going to be an American Idol one day, since he's got a good singing voice you know.  He'll probably do 

that and then become an astronaut since he loves outer space.  Oh, let's not forget that he plans on racing Nascar cars some day in his spare time.  And then there is Bailey.  She started out wanting to be a teacher, then a dance teacher, and then just a dancer.  But, then she came out of her shell and decided that her gifts were in front of the TV or movie screen.  Now she's toggling in between being an actress or a newscaster, we're just not sure at this time.  If either one of those don't work out for her, then she'll take to producing others on TV or the big screen.  So, all of this to say, that to them at this age, the world is completely open.  It is all possible and they can achieve just any of this that they put their minds and efforts too.  

Now, they are both believers, so we know that scripture says in Proverbs 16:9, "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." (NLT)  I can certainly see this to be true in my life, and of course, it is my prayer for my children.  So, I absolutely know that God has a plan for a hope and a future for Bailey and Brody (Jeremiah 29:11)...but until the Lord begins to open those doors and direct their steps, I want them to be able to continue dreaming that ANY and ALL of these dreams that roll around in their minds and over their sweet little lips...any of them ARE POSSIBLE, especially when the Lord is on their side.  My prayer as their mom is that I won't be the limitation force in their lives.  Anytime that Brody comes up with a new "thing" he's gonna do in the future, I want him to hear me say, "Yes you can, Buddy.  You dream it, you can accomplish it."  As a former teacher, I know that there was big truth to me looking into the eyes of a student and saying, "You just can't do that."  Sometimes, that was just the harsh voice of reality helping to steer them through the door God wanted them to go through...but unfortunately, at times it was me just putting limits on their budding minds.  What a heavy responsibility I'd been given in their lives at that time...and how shameful that at times, I wasted that chance by putting limitations on them.  Thank you Lord that You order our steps and not some stupid teacher projecting herself on them...  

I can honestly say that I was blessed to be raised by parents who did not say, "You know you can't do that...you should do this."  I always felt supported and that I could achieve anything I set my mind too.  My parents encouraged me to read, to travel, to dream and then put forth the work ethic to be able to achieve those dreams.  And now, it is my turn to do that with my kids.  So, with God's help and His plan, I just might find myself being the mom of a professional football player, an astronaut, a Nascar driver, an actress or movie star.  Dream big, babies.  And as Ms. Vicki said today, "Aim for the moon, and if you fall short, at least you'll be among the stars."  Only God knows what my babies will be when they are all grown up.  I can't wait to see what they become.  I sure do like the direction they are going right now.