Purposefully Made by Him

Driver's License Restrictions: A: With Corrective Lenses

2010-08-23T22:56:00.002-05:00

Yeah, you read it right. Even the Texas Department of Public Safety says that I'm not allowed to "move about the country" without my corrective lenses. And I'm pretty sure they know what they're talking about since they're main responsibility is the public's safety. When Women of Faith put out the call of duty to share my thoughts on how to keep my eyes focused on Jesus, I laughed at the irony of this.

My eyesight is terrible. I can't even get out of bed without making sure my glasses are right next to the bed within reaching distance - because it is not safe for me or anyone else for me to have to go searching for them. I think my vision is somewhere close to 20/200 without any help of corrective lenses - whether that's glasses or contacts. I am extremely near-sighted with a terrible astigmatism. The thing of it is though, my spiritual eyesight can also become very "short-sighted." I sometimes lose my way, get off course, or things are just generally very...blurry for lack of a better word. There are spiritual corrective lenses that help to get me back on track though.

The first corrective lens that I make sure that I have is The Word. Like a map, the Word of God is based on fact - not perception. So, no matter how close or far away, things seem to appear, the map will always set you straight. It reminds you of the destination you've come from, the distance traveled, and your destination ahead. And while things may happen along your journey that are unexpected, like a detour that takes you off your "anticipated course," that never changes the location of your final destination.

The next lens that I make sure to have at hand is a steady prayer life. The truth is, sometimes I just don't know what I don't know. While it's sometimes nice to feel like I'm charting my own course, the truth is...I'm not. My dialogue with God through prayer facilitates the opportunities that I have to hear from him directly.

The final corrective lens that relieves my spiritual shortsightedness is fellowship with other believers. Not only does fellowship encourage me to continue by the shared testimonies, but it also provides a channel of accountability for me. People too many times misquote Matthew 7:1 as their get-out-of-jail-free-card. However, we are told that we will know a tree by the fruit it bears. Therefore, we should all be USDA fruit inspectors and shouldn't shy away from the same being done to us. For me, knowing that I have women in my life that love me enough to do that is a sure way to help me keep my eyes fixed on Jesus!

"For I Know The Plans I Have For You"

2010-08-16T11:51:00.000-05:00

Whew! Isn't this good news! I am so glad that He knows the plans because I certainly didn't...don't. My last blog post was in January. And since then I have:

Been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
Had an emergency surgery (darn gall bladder)
Lost a close family member quite unexpectantly
Gone through a divorce

And...to top it all off, all this happened before the end of June. In fact, within 30 days, I was diagnosed, had about four MRI scans, a surgery, a spinal tap, and a funeral. I know, I know...it's almost comical when I think about the sheer volume of things that happened that could have broken my spirit. And...on top of all that, I had just started my first semester back in school at Liberty University with a double major declared (Religious Studies and Marketing) AND I was smart* enough to take 18 hours my first semester back. Yeah, you're right...it actually is quite comical.

If it wasn't for this little nugget found in Jeremiah, I'm not quite sure what I would have done. It's wonderful to think that nothing surprises my God. No matter how much of a shock it is to me, I can rest assured God is sitting on His throne bored by the "un-newness" (that probably isn't a word, huh) of it all. I made it through the diagnosis and am doing fine. I made it through the first semester of school with 15 hours completed and a 3.3 GPA. I've tested many of the scriptures within the Bible (most of them dealing with grace and mercy) but I can attest that this one holds true as well.

Jeremiah 29:11 - Checked off the list...God is faithful!

Blessings

Vengeance is Mine...I mean Yours

2010-01-10T01:33:00.000-06:00

The D.O.V.E. Women's Ministry at Antioch Christian Fellowship, my home church, has recently kicked off a book club. Our first book of the new year is one by Liz Curtis Higgs titled Bad Girls of the Bible. The book details the scriptural stories of ten of the Bible's "femme fatales." While reading through the story of Potiphar's Wife and Joseph, I had a sudden epiphany...

Most of us know the story. Joseph was well-liked by Potiphar, the Egyptian captain of the guard, and the story goes that Potiphar had placed him (Joseph) in charge of his household. In fact, Genesis 39:4 said that Potiphar had "entrusted to his care everything that he owned." Which, of course, included Potiphar's wife. To make a long story short, Potiphar's Wife, who according to scripture was a bit neglected by her husband and "bored", set her eyes upon Joseph. After making her move and being rebuffed by a lowly Hebrew boy such as Joseph, she lied to her husband and accused Joseph of trying to rape her - which landed Joseph in jail.

Now, this is where my epiphany comes in. I know that in the end, this was all a part of God's plan. Joseph ends up being placed in charge of the prison, eventually started interpreting Pharoah's dreams, which ultimately led to finding favor in Pharoah's eyes and being placed in charge of all of Egypt - second to only Pharoah himself. He was then able to save the life of his family and blah, blah, blah. You may be able to tell where I'm headed with this. While this pivotal Biblical story has already progressed and, to me, is one the best Biblical stories that is evidential of God's providence, I am still stuck back at the beginning when Potiphar's Wife is lying on him. And this is where God opened my eyes to an area of my life that I need to address. I am sometimes so concerned with what I consider to be the injustices of my life (especially those that I can directly attribute to others), that I miss the overall blessing and fail to see the beauty in God's plan. I am really hung up on the whole "vengeance is mine said the Lord" thing. Don't get me wrong, I am all for God avenging me...I'm convinced that he's better at it than I can ever be. But I just wanna be on the sideline watching the vengeance in action and be able to stick my tongue out or give a "I told you so" once it's done.

There are some things that people have done or continue to do to me that has really challenged me in this area. Most of the time, I find it easy to cast my cares on God and allow Him to fight my battles at first. However, as time progresses, I find it hard to leave my burdens at the altar. Especially when there seems to be no fire and brimstone raining down from heaven to right my wrongs. Not only is this a sign of immaturity in my spiritual walk, but it also still allows the devil to have the victory. My prayer right now is that I begin to focus my heart on heavenly things. That I worry more about the reputation that I have in God's eyes instead of the eyes of others. I also pray that when I say that I'm casting my cares upon God and I tell others that I answer to but one and that's my heavenly Father, that they aren't mere words but my heart finds rest and peace in that. Amen...

'Tis The Season...

2009-12-21T21:04:00.001-06:00

With a mere four days until Christmas Day, I'm finding myself in slightly unfamiliar territory. As a person who grew up in a Christian household, I've always been taught and known on some level what the "real" reason of the season is. My mom and dad thought it very important to instill that into both myself and my two sisters. But as an adult, and as a mom myself, I have struggled with the pressure of the "commercialized' Christmas. While I have always enjoyed this time of year and it's always been my favorite holiday, I haven't been able to really take time and reflect on not only God's gift of the Son - which I think most of us Christians (especially Christians that are a little more mature in Christ) consider a necessity at this time of year, but also reflect on God's gift of providing a time of year in which the fruits of the spirit are front and center.

This year, while I still partake in some of the more commercialized aspects of Christmas (the tree, the shopping, the norms), I find myself wondering how it is that I just feel more peaceful, more loving, just generally more "Christ-like." The fruit of patience was evident yesterday as I had nine little girls at my house to make cookie dough and magic reindeer food for Christmas Eve. As a matter of fact, gentleness and self-control were in greater than normal supply as well. Goodness and kindness seem to be much easier for me to demonstrate through the hustle and bustle that this time of year brings. As the moms started rolling in yesterday to pick up their baby girls, and my mom and sisters were hanging with some of my church sisters and we were all making a mess of my kitchen and dining room with cookie dough, I was overwhelmed by the love that I felt. There were several moments that I had to quietly(as not to ruin the good, light-hearted fellowship with mushiness) thank God for so many of the non-tangible blessings such as a loving family and great friends that he's put in my life. And now, as I sit in my bed and find everything enjoyable, from television to noisy kids, despite the tons of things that I need to get done to be ready for Christmas morning, the feeling of peace that only he can give puts a simple smile on my face.

So, as I move forward in this week of celebration of the birth of my King and Savior, I wanted to take a moment and reflect on the bliss that is His love.

My Only Savior...

2009-12-09T22:09:00.001-06:00

1 But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush [a] and Seba in your stead. 4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth- 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." 8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. 9 All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of them foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, "It is true." 10 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. 11 I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. 12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God. 13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?" - Isaiah 43: 1 - 13 (NIV)

On a day like today, when life seems a bit overwhelming, this passage that details the deep passion God has for His people is my bread and butter...my "living water" that lets me know that it'll be okay...because God said it will be. He's with me in the water and it won't overtake me. He's with me during the fire...and the flames won't burn me. How's that, you may ask. Becasue verse 3 tells me that He is the Lord my God and my Savior. And not only is He "all of that," but I'm precious in his sight and He loves me. And, as if that isn't good enough, He tells me that when He acts, no one can reverse it. That is my rhema today.

Thank you God for the power of your word and for not only keeping me and being my savior, but for encouraging and reassuring me along the way. You are good and your mercy endures forever. I'm thankful that you chose me and that you love me more than my mind even has the capacity to understand. Thank you for your faithfulness to me even when I have not been as faithful to you. I love you and am your witness that there is none like you...no, not one!

"Are These All The Sons You Have?"

2009-12-04T21:34:00.000-06:00

I'm just beginning A Heart Like His by Beth Moore - which is a study of David. I'm excited about the study because David is probably my favorite male from the Bible. I relate a lot to David and it's comforting to know that, despite all that God knew about David...all the dirt that he had done (or was going to do since God knows the end from the beginning), God still said that David was a man after his own heart (I Sam. 13: 13-14). I don't know about you but that is music to my ears. Personally, one of the things that is the toughest to move past is my own inconsistencies. In the past, I've drawn closer to God only to let the devil use the distraction-du-jour (that's my high school French kicking in) to trip me up and get me right back off course. And boy did David seem to have that problem! I know sometimes when reading and studying the Bible it's hard to conjure up a mental picture of what is being talked about...but even for the weakest imagination, it's not hard to experience the drama David caused with Bathsheeba. Whew!

Don't get me wrong, David's inconsistencies and shortcomings aren't a get-out-of-jail free card...meaning that because David was able to "get away" with this or that, that we're okay to keep disobeying God's will for our lives. We are still called to be dead to sin and alive in Christ. In fact, we're told in Romans 6:1-2 that we should not keep on sinning so that grace may abound. What is so comforting about David's biography is the beautiful portrait painted with the vibrant colors of God's love for His people and broad strokes of His unending grace and mercy. When the enemy tries to tell me that I'm less valued because I've fallen short (okay - sometimes way short), reading the love story between God and his chosen leader reminds me that, not only am I still of just as much value and worth to God, I can be used by Him just the same. I'm not relegated to the sidelines because I have a wrap sheet. That's Good News! God knew everything David was to do...He had intimate knowledge of every shortcoming, every disgression, and every sin that David had committed...AND was going to commit. Yet, God didn't choose Jesse's first son - the one that Samuel thought would be the annointed one. He didn't choose any of the next six that Jesse marched on by. Samuel, as the prophet of the Lord, said, "Are these all the sons you have?" God saught out his annointed...and as David was out tending the sheep (and sheep stink!), God set him apart.

Isn't God amazing?

Slumber Party

2009-12-03T16:44:00.000-06:00

Christian, my oldest daughter, had a slumber party in October to celebrate her 11th birthday with a group of friends. I just got around to uploading some of the pics and I had to take a moment to share one...

What's a slumber party without a Pajama Runway Show...

Some moments as a mom are more fun than others. This picture will pay it forward for the next not-so-fun moment.

A Proud Mommy...

2009-12-03T10:20:00.000-06:00

Last night, my 7-year old son, Kobe, came to me while I was on my laptop in bed and asked me if he could pray with me. Of course, I said yes. So he begins but seems a little hesitant...then he stops and says that he's not sure what to say. I told him to talk to God just like he would talk to me or Daddy...he should start by thanking him for what he's done and given, then go on and tell him whatever is on his heart.

So with that, we begin again. At this point, I'm just excited about the fact that my son - who is all boy and who, at times, seems to think that "church" stuff is for girls or mommies and boys and daddies aren't cool or "manly" if they do it, came and wanted to pray. But I'm totally expecting the "God, thank you for my PSP, and my bike and the television. And can you please give me xxx for Christmas" prayer. But my special little boy, who is all of 7 years old, prays and thanks God for his parents, his home, and for letting Jesus die on the cross for his sins. And with that...he was done. No petitions for cool new gadgets for Christmas. Just a prayer of Thanksgiving...and not only that, he expressed his gratitude for things that so many of us take for granted.

Have we thanked God for what he has already provided for us - without the rush of getting through the "formality" of giving thanks so that we can move on to asking for something else. Have we thanked God for providing His only son for us? Have we thanked Jesus for dying in our place? Have we given thanks for the opportunity to become co-heirs with Christ? Needless to say, I'm a proud mommy but I also am reminded that I have a heavenly Father who needs to be proud of me.

Getting Started...

2009-12-02T14:37:00.000-06:00

Where does one start when blogging? I must admit that I'm going to have to get used to the idea of sharing my life on the "interwebs." Don't get me wrong, I've done the customary FaceBook and MySpace profiles. And I'm even honest on them...but, then again, I'm not bearing my soul for all to see...

While the first few posts will probably be a little shaky, I'm really excited about the opportunity to document my life. When I turned 30, and every time my children turn a year older, I'm disappointed in myself in how little I've done to document the moment, capture the memories. I'm the person who takes the camera to the event/party/whatever, and never takes one picture. It's partially because I'm a little shy (I know...hard to believe). Well, I guess shy isn't the right word. I try very hard to not seem stuck up or full of myself, and picture taking is not conducive to pulling off that image. Okay, that sounds really silly but it's true. The other reason why I suck at capturing the moment is due to the same reason that I take terrible notes in a meeting - I overestimate how well I will remember things.

Anyway...

Since I'm an online marketer, I will not forgive myself, going into my 31st year, if I don't start documenting things. It's going to be nice to look back five years from now and read archived posts. I have notebooks that I've taken sermon notes or scribbled down scriptures or nuggets of wisdom from Bible Studies from years and years ago. It's not only interesting to see my handwriting (which changes from day to day depending on my mood), but also the notes and dates associated with them helps to remind me of the things that I was going through, the battles that WE'VE fought, and the victories that WE'VE won. It's sometimes hard at times, especially when you're in the middle of another storm (and, really...aren't we always) to remember the faithfulness of God. So, overall, that will be the purpose of the "Purposefull Made by Him" blog. To help remind myself of the journey - because there is progress, even when the devil tries to convince you that there's not. In the middle of all my "David-sized" failures and inconsistencies....there's progress. And while I personally take note of my life from an outsider's perspective through this blog, I invite the fellowship of others...the interaction...the feedback of like-minded individuals...who are too moving forward and walking in their purpose.

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 3:12-14

I couldn't have said it better myself...