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. 

The Cost Of Obedience

Becoming a follower of Christ will require a steadfast determination. 

We are to follow that which, God says in His Word, will not make sense to us.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8

If it doesn't make sense to us ... it sure isn't going to make sense to those around us. Your acts of obedience may bring your actions under the scrutiny of others which, in turn, will cost you something. Possibly, just being considered a nut. But possibly ... 

• a friend

• a family member

• a job

• your freedom or even your life

So, what does it look like to follow Jesus? Jesus was (and is) interested in healing and restoration.

"It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners. Mark 2:17

Ministering to sinners was not popular when Jesus walked the earth and it is not popular today. 

It goes against everything in us ... "Friend to Sinners" .... what else you got?

It won't make you popular, especially with the 'religious' folk. But it is Biblical. 

Here are the words of a converted 'religious' folk who became a follower of Jesus. 

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"--and I am the worst of them all. 1Timothy 1:15

Paul first recognized his great need for saving grace from his sin. Then, he became an instrument of that saving grace as He followed Christ. We can expect the same in our lives. It should never be enough for us to simply enjoy what we have. To follow Christ is to share the message of the Good News with those who need it. Whether we believe they deserve it or not. Whether people around us believe they deserve it or not. Lest we forget that we too are sinners and were once dead in our sin.

as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; Romans 3:10

There will be times when God prompts you to show kindness and speak words of healing and restoration to ones who have been regarded as unworthy of receiving grace by others. In those times, you must simply trust that as you abide in Him, and as His Word abides in you, you can trust and obey His promptings and leave the consequences to Him. 

"Moving On Monday" - It is easier to be ready than to try to get ready!

Somewhere between my "swings & hindu pushups" this morning, a conversation I had with a friend in late July came back to my memory ... I had just returned from "SheSpeaks," a women's conference for speakers, writers, and teachers when I confided in my friend there were two main take-aways for me from the conference ... 1) to lose some weight. 2) to respect my husband.

No, that was NOT the topic of the conference. What woman would attend a conference on that topic?!? No, this little baby was just for me ... It was a message I was getting in private, loud and clear. And I was none too happy about it. To which my dear friend and ministry partner replied, "Now, that's blog-able!"

Easy for her to say! There was NO WAY I was going to blog about God taking me to "SheSpeaks" to tell me I needed to drop some pounds! Some things are just plain private. Right? Obviously not. : )

Today, I am laughing. And I am in complete agreement with my friend that this is in fact ... "blog-able!"

There was no way for me to know in late July that today I would be preparing for a trip. A trip my husband and I have been dreaming of for 15 years! A trip that I would have only 5 weeks to prepare for!!! But God did. : )

If I had only listened to Him in July, I wouldn't be stressing out today over things like ...

Just how many days can a girl go without food anyway?

And

How many "swings" & "hindu pushups" will it take to not giggle?


Needless to say, the message I received in July is a little easier to accept knowing what I know today. And may I add, I have a new take-away ... It is much easier to "be ready" than to try to hurry up and get ready. :)

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Has God given you a message (in private) you were not expecting?

Something you are none too happy about?

You have a choice friend ...

you can listen to God and "be ready"

or you can continue to be offended by the message and do nothing

Either way, what is coming WILL come.

And (take it from one who knows) it is MUCH easier to "be ready" than to try to get ready.

God is Faithful ... but are His people?

If the above title steps on your toes ... Come on in! Because you (friend) are not here by chance. You have probably heard it said, "we are exhausted not by the things we do but by the things we have left undone." Today, with a new spring in my step, I know it to be true! Allow me to explain ...

A couple of months ago, my husband and I learned our very dear friends had been robbed. It happened shortly after moving away from the comfort and security of friends, and a church family that ABSOLUTELY ADORED THEM, to go to a new city. A city where they were beginning a new church. By the time we heard the news, the stolen property had already been replaced by the insurance company. Loving our friends, we (JOYFULLY!) offered to reimburse their out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the deductible. Our friends were encouraged and so were we! It was a win-win ... until, we paused.

That VERY DAY we sat down to write the check and mail it. Then we started thinking how much fun it would be to give it in person. You see, we had already planned to visit them later that month. Cash, in person, beats a stinky old check in the mail every time... Right? So, it was settled. It was a good plan and we were excited.

However, as plans often do, our plan changed. A series of unexpected circumstances caused us to reschedule. More unexpected circumstances made it necessary to reschedule again. Still more unexpected circumstances ... and delay, delay, delay!

It wasn't long before the gift we so JOYFULLY and ANXIOUSLY wanted to give had become BURDENSOME and STALLED. I was exhausted, exhausted by the plan. Exhausted at the thought of executing the plan. WE NEEDED A NEW PLAN ...

Yesterday, when we could take it no more - - an apology and a check were written, and placed in the mail. Visiting our friends in person is still a good plan, and I will not give up until I get there ... But a "timely" stinky, old check in the mail was the best plan from day one! Trying to execute the wrong plan will FLAT wear you out .... EVERY TIME!
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What have you been "putting off" until you can do it your way? Maybe its time for a new plan.