The last couple weeks have been SO busy. You would think with Cole not doing a spring sport it would slow down but think again! Then this week is Prom decorating, Post Prom chaperoning etc... I am tired just thinking about it.

Yesterday after a great church service at Victory Temple in Jasper, Ed told me I could stay home to rest while he went and got Cole. So, I put my jammies on and got in the recliner and watched a "Undercover Boss" marathon. That shows gets me everytime! I just kept watching though. I like to see those kind of shows where people that don't usually get recognized or appreciated for their work are shown just how much what they do means when someone takes the time to put themselves in their shoes. What if we all gave everyone that same consideration?

Instead of jumping to conclusions, or thinking someone is intentionally trying to aggravate you why not take a step back and really try to see the big picture?

That is what my goal is this week, to meet people right where they are at and to put away the judgement. Join me?

Murder begins in your heart

Murder Begins in the Heart
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.


I have been thinking on this a lot lately and actually made mention of it to David Myers this weekend. We tend to categorize sins on a list from the BIG ones to the little ones, as silly as it sounds we all do it. We look at someone who murders another as someone we wouldn't associate with but it clearly says in scripture that when we harbor anger in our hearts toward others we are guilty of murder.

WHOA now! I am not a murderer.... or am I? The answer to that would have to be yes because I do harbor anger toward people. The main goal for me this year has been to see people how Jesus sees them and while this isn't always easy if we can get in that practice it makes people more attractive to us. I have been guilty in the past of keeping people at arms length so that I don't get hurt because let's be honest we are human, and as much as we don't want to hurt people or get hurt it is inevitable that it will happen. That is one reason that forgiveness is essential to our daily lives.

We can't hold people at arm's length forever. We are called to reach out and GO, that involves risk but the risk is so worth it.

Get out of the boat

Okay so today I turn on the radio which I rarely do at work and I listen to family life today they had Priscilla Scheier on there teaching out of Judges chapter 7 which I've been studying judges and them she was talking about Gideon and how God dwindled down his army. I went on to read a little more, and actually before God dwindled down his army he threw a fleece out and asked God to show him what to do and then God gave an answer and you know story Gideon throws a fleece out again and God was patient with him because he is reassuring him of what was to happen.

From there she quoted Christine Caine and I really enjoy listening to Christine Caine and so I thought well I'm going to go look at this quote on the Internet so I can post to my Facebook and lo and behold what did I find... I found that Christine Caine is the founder of A21 campaign which is a campaign I've been following that is combating human trafficking, which if you know me is huge passion of mine I didn't know that she was the founder of that so from there I went to her blog and what was the title of today's??? Getting out of the boat. I was BLOWN away for the reason that God had really been laying that phrase "get out of the boat" on my heart for so many months now, dating back all the way to March but I haven't heard it the last couple of months and so the phrase "get out of the boat" has so much more of a meaning to me now after what I saw in Africa and the human trafficking that happens on Lake Volta.

Then I was reminded how when I was a IHOP earlier this year, I was in the prophecy room and a guy prophesied over me about a boat and rotors and he wasn't really quite sure what that meant but I do! I need to go back and find that because I recorded it and see what the meaning God has for my life right now.

I LOVE the way God reminds us that He is in charge and has a plan.

Find Your Mark meeting Tuesday, November 22 at LUMC at 7:00!

We get up to an alarm, a warm bed, a cup of coffee, warm clothes...

Do we think?

We go to work and complain about our jobs, wishing for Friday to come...

Do we think?

We come home, cook supper, wash dishes, sweep, spend little quality time with our families...

Do we think?

We do it all again, day after day after day...

Do we think?

Do we think about those starving not too far away, those needing a kind word just down the block, that someone that would give anything for a warm hug, someone to love them.

Do we think?

About those some 7,000 kids trafficked on a Lake so many miles away, working 16 hour days with little sleep and one meal a day

Do we think just how blessed we are that God choose us to lead the lives we are when he could have put us in someone else's situation?

I know I didn't used to but how could I not now. It haunts my thoughts daily but I must choose to Seek Justice, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with my God.

It only takes one, will you be that one?

Photo by Rachel Johnson of Touch A Life