New Beginnings

Before my feet hit the floor this morning, I knew.

With every fiber of my being, I knew. The rubber would meet the road today. 

Today would be a day of a "new" beginning. 

Sounds great, right? What' s not to love about new?

New is exciting. 

New is fun.

New is exhilirating. 

Yes, yes and yes ... new can be all of those things. 

But as anyone who has ever walked in anything "new" knows ... 

New can be very risky. 

New can be very costly.

New can be very scary. 

I'm a pretty adventurous girl and have walked with Jesus a long time but ... there are times when "new" shakes me to my very core. How about you?

Father God, as women, we are often driven by our desire for safety and security. Help us to remember in times of "new beginnings" true safety and security are found only in You. Give us the strength and the courage to say "yes, Lord" when You bring us to something new. No matter the cost. Amen. 

"Where Were You" Part 2

Scared is a gross understatement (see part 1) - I was terrified! And I was not alone... Even the high paid and "prepared for anything" network TV news people were unable to mask their fear. The disbelief in their eyes, and their white-washed faces proved there are things so horrific, so incomprehensibly evil, no one can fully prepare. We were eye-witnesses of this evil on 9.11.01, and many (including myself) were shaken to the very core of their belief ... In an instant, everything changed.


In the midst of the chaos, I was compelled to locate my family. After hearing their voices, and having the assurance of their present safety, we were able to discuss a plan of action in the event the attack came closer to our home. Then overwhelmed by emotion, and unable to watch as the graphic images were being replayed over and over again, I turned off the TV. As I sat alone in silence in my living room, I realized I had not been "here" before. This was a "new" experience. This was a new crisis of belief. And this crisis, like any crisis of belief, required a decision. There was a call to action, no time to stand still. I could either run away in fear or I could run to my God with my fear. I am happy to say, by the grace of God, I ran to Him with my fear.

I ran to Him with my disbelief.
I ran to Him with my fear.
I ran to Him with my anger.
I ran to Him because I knew there was nowhere else to run.
And that is why I am forever changed.

------------------------------------------------------------

Are you scared?

Are you angry?

Are you rocked to the very core of everything you have ever believed?

You, my friend, are in crisis.

A crisis of belief.

You have one of two choices:

1. Run away in fear.
2. Run to the One who can take away your fear.

His name is Jesus, and He is faithful.

He is the ONLY One who is able to take away your fear.

"Where Were You?"

The "where were you" question of our generation is, "Where were you on 9-11?"

... I was at home. I heard the first report while I was dressing for work. I literally fell into a chair as I watched the gut wrenching moments unfold LIVE on the morning news. I never made it to work that day. Like millions of Americans, my priorities suddenly changed. My agenda didn't seem too important anymore. I was glued to the TV.

The images of that day are forever burned into my memory. Images of things I never dreamed were possible on American soil. The America on TV didn't even look like America! It was not the America that I had known. This was "news" all right. It was a new day, a new time, and a new America. And things were not looking good! Things would never be the same. I was scared.

Join me tomorrow for more ...

I have LEARNED to be content ...

If I am completely honest with you, and myself, I knew LONG BEFORE I was willing to accept it that God was calling me into a public ministry. And even now, I struggle with "putting myself out there" when I speak, teach, and write. By nature, I am probably the MOST private person on the face of the earth! Which, to say the least, makes my job a bit challenging. The mere thought of hitting "post" on some days sends waves of nausea over me. Yes transparency, especially in written form, makes me want to change my name, change my hair color, and run to a new city? Monday was no exception. (See Chick-Fil-A, part 2)

When my head hit the pillow, my mind was flooded with thoughts like:

• How could you be so silly?
• Why would you need to be reminded something so basic?
• How old are you?
• What are people gonna think?
• You big dummy!
• Why would you admit it in writing?

Totally exhausted by my thoughts ... I closed my eyes, and prayed.

The verse that calmed my heart and mind was a familiar one ... I have LEARNED to be content.

You may remember this verse is spoken by Paul and is right before one of the most quoted verses in the Bible. ... I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Isn't it good to be reminded we have to LEARN to be content.

And we (just like Paul) will learn to be content, over and over again, as we walk through new circumstances.

How?

By walking in the strength Christ gives us for each "new" circumstance.

These are certainly "new" times in which we live today in America, and in our world.

We are seeing, and experiencing things we have never seen in America.

Many of us are facing financial struggles we are not prepared for.

Most of us have become very aware this is a new day, and a new time.

Take heart in knowing ... this is an opportunity to LEARN to be content in a "new" circumstance.
And whatever "new" God brings you, you can rest in knowing He IS able!

Stand firm in faith and you (like Paul) will be able to say ...

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philipians 4:12,13

Blessings to you as you continue the journey of LEARNING to be content. : )