What I do here is share my heart. And that’s what I feel led to do after seeing, “The Hunger Games.” Whether you agree with me or not (and most of you might not) – this is my opinion and I feel strongly enough about this to share it publicly. In doing so, I invite criticism and comments – as I do with everything I choose to write about here.

I should’ve read “Plugged-In,” A Focus on the Family Website that reviews movies. I should’ve known that if the world is eager; bursting with anticipation, the movie is probably not for the follower of Jesus.

I could have suggested a different movie around the same time. I could’ve chosen not to blow off my oldest daughter’s words before we walked into the theater, “I don’t have a good feeling about this Mom.”

Even as I sat in the theater, praying, tears streaming down my cheeks, I could’ve grabbed my daughters and their friends, and left.

I could have done all of these things— but I didn’t.

I stayed and watched, listened, prayed, and cried.

Why?

I’m not sure. Maybe so I could write this. Or maybe so that next time, I will heed the warning signs and follow after the heart of God rather than the clamoring enticements of this world.

So here’s my heart on this…

I have never in my life seen a movie that so blatantly attacks the moral fiber of decency and humanity. An utterly humanistic movie that is demoralizing and polarizing, it had absolutely no thread of true redeemable value running through it whatsoever (except for Katniss’s standing in the gap for her younger sister – while valiant and praiseworthy – this gets swallowed up in the deep darkness of everything else that’s going on).  The two words that come to mind are: “evil” and “dark.” To say that I was deeply disturbed and shocked would be an understatement. While there are a number of movies out there that I would quickly suggest to not see — this one would loom at the top of that list in bold print.

After sharing my opinion regarding this, some have said “Well, you need to read the books so you understand the full story.” Really? So, if I take the time to read the full story, I might feel different than I do now? Hmmm, I have a hard time justifying spending time reading about the types of things I saw in this movie. And why should I – why should I have to search for redeemable value?

For the sake of sparing you the horrifying details (you can read any number of movie reviews on this, I would suggest Movieguide or Plugged-In) I’ll close with sharing what this uneasy experience has taught me.

1. I’m a follower of Jesus — My love for Christ should be the root of every single decision I make. Because I love Him, I should seek to do that which would please Him. Yes, I will fall short often and His grace is always sufficient for my many screw-ups. However, when I know I’m walking into something that is not true, noble, praiseworthy, or excellent, then I have a decision to make. Love for Him and its resulting obedience should guide me.

1. I’m a mother — and I will forever be accountable for what I allow my children to see, hear, and absorb through their senses — as well as what they do not see, etc… while they’re under my care. Ideas have consequences and the things I allow and disallow to shape their perceptions will ultimately influence and impact their decisions in life. And we all know, we win or lose by the way we choose. I will make a wiser, better, and more godly choice of influence next time.

1. I’m a New Creation — Set apart by God for King and Kingdom. In that knowledge I understand that there are kingdoms in conflict — at war. And if the “world” runs after it, then it’s probably not in my best interest to run with them. In fact I should probably run the other way!

1. I have the power of the Living God in me — The enemy is real and we are the only way he can get to God! So he will relentlessly pursue our moral and spiritual destruction tempting us into thinking and believing that, “It’s only a movie… It’s only a slightly off-color joke… It’s just one drink…” and on it goes. We have the power of the ONE who created all that is and holds it all together! We have this power in us and must use it to choose LIFE over death, light over darkness, hope over despair, and truth over pretense. The road is NARROW!

In a circle of friends if we were to ask each other, “What was the last movie you saw?” Or, “What was the message you heard in church last weekend?” I would imagine most of us would remember the movie more than the message (except for Jim since he uses the concussion excuse for not remembering very much at all — LOL).

So…what do you think?

And…

What can we do about it?

Her great faith and strength in the BIG “C” – Christ in the face of the little “c” – cancer, has deeply humbled me today.

I pray that in sharing some of her experience, you too might be encouraged to persevere and trust despite whatever it might be that you’re going through today. God is greater than our greatest need. He is the ultimate Hero and Rescue Plan in every circumstance. No matter what, He will work ALL things together for good – for those who love HIM. (Romans 8:28)

“On Friday my hair began to fall out and it has been a difficult and revealing experience for me.  Even though I knew it was coming and I tried to brace myself for it, there is a certain sinking reality and sadness over the loss of my identity.  From the time the girls were small, I have enjoyed styling my longish hair and they used to call it my “Tea Party Hat” when I’d wear it up in a bun.  To stand at my sink and watch it come out in handfuls as I brushed was overwhelming.  My husband walked in and stood behind me as I cried and held handfuls of my formerly thick hair.  He leaned over and kissed my head and told me I was still beautiful to him.  ”We are in this together” he said, “and nothing will change my love for you.”

…

I am grateful that we are teammates.  All of life’s journey is to be shared, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness or in health…with or without a headful of hair. The smiles and the love of Jesus in our hearts will be the beauty that encircles us.  We are clinging daily to His Word and finding “strength and beauty in His sanctuary”.

The picture of the bird with the babies under her wings reminds me of the old hymn “Under His Wings I am Safely Abiding”.  What a picture of the provision and peace of our good and gracious God.

This week, I’ve been singing “How Firm a Foundation” and letting the words preach to my soul.  Here’s one verse I’ll be singing for you today:

Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed,

For I am your God, and will still give you aid;

I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,

Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

…

There is nothing to fear and nothing to dread….

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”

In a recent email, I read about a woman named Pam, who knows the pain of considering abortion. More than 24 years ago, she and her husband Bob were serving as missionaries to the Philippines and praying for a fifth child. Pam contracted amoebic dysentery, an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite found in contaminated food or drink. She went into a coma and was treated with strong antibiotics before they discovered she was pregnant.

Doctors urged her to abort the baby for her own safety and told her that the medicines had caused irreversible damage to her baby. She refused the abortion and cited her Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her son would be born without the devastating disabilities physicians predicted. Pam said the doctors didn’t think of it as a life, they thought of it as a mass of fetal tissue.

While pregnant, Pam nearly lost their baby four times but refused to consider abortion. She recalled making a pledge to God with her husband: If you will give us a son, we’ll name him Timothy and we’ll make him a preacher.

Pam ultimately spent the last two months of her pregnancy in bed and eventually gave birth to a healthy baby boy August 14, 1987. Pam’s youngest son is indeed a preacher. He preaches in prisons, makes hospital visits, and serves with his father’s ministry in the Philippines. He also plays football. Pam’s son is Tim Tebow.

The University of Florida’s star quarterback became the first sophomore in history to win college football’s highest award, the Heisman Trophy. His current role as quarterback of the Denver Broncos has provided an incredible platform for Christian witness. As a result, he is being called The Mile-High Messiah.

Tim’s notoriety and the family’s inspiring story have given Pam numerous opportunities to speak on behalf of women’s centers across the country. Pam Tebow believes that every little baby you save matters. I pray her tribe will increase!

May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always!

Dr. Gerald B. (Jerry) Kieschnick

It’s Christmas Eve, 2011, and the Buffalo Bills are hosting the Denver Broncos.  It’s “Tebow time” here in Buffalo, and with one of the most exciting players to take a snap this season coming to Buffalo, the atmosphere is electric with anticipation! And among the most high-voltage Tebow fans to light up the stands is Erin Marie, our firstborn.

You have to know Erin, she’s as sweet and caring as she can be and rarely asks for anything — she’s all about the giving. I felt like a broken record trying to pry a Christmas list from her, but eventually was able to squeeze one special request from her heart, she asked for one very specific thing:  “I’d really like to go to the Broncos game and meet Tim Tebow.”

Knowing that this would be an easy task for her father, I shared her request with Jim.  Now, you need to understand something about JK, he hates asking players for anything, even for his own kids. Autographs, photo-ops, souvenirs — he shies away from any of that kind of stuff because he doesn’t want the guys to think that he’s taking advantage of them.

And I get that — it’s a good rule-of-thumb. However, I think you know me well enough to know that this was the exception to the rule in my rule-book. I confess, I called a blitz and sent it all in from guilt to glamour (just to be sure)! “This is for your daughter. It’s the only thing she wants for Christmas…” Seriously, what’s a mother to do?

Needless to say, I really didn’t have to blitz, Jim is a great father and did what ever it took to bless Erin.

Here’s what happened…

During pre-game warm-ups Jim brought all of us (Erin, Camryn, our nephew Chad, my sister-in-law Tricia, and me) down on the field. After watching some of the players practice for a while we made our way over to the tunnel (where all the players enter the playing field). While we were waiting for Tim to come out of the locker room (I kind of felt like a crazy fan with just a touch of stalker) Jim stopped to talk to the Broncos Head Coach, John Fox and John Elway (a friend and former Denver Bronco quarterback during the same era as Jim). You would’ve thought Jim and John were ready to pull up some chairs and order drinks — they talked like two women who hadn’t seen each other in years. It was fun listening to them reminisce but I’ll admit, we were anxious to meet Tim.

Just as Jim and John ended their conversation, Tim walked out of the locker room. When he noticed Jim, he immediately stopped and extended his hand. It all happened so fast, (I guess warm-ups and a very important game took precedence over our group meeting — of course it did, hello, it’s football season). There were cameras everywhere, so it wasn’t like Jim and Tim could have any sort of deep conversation. After a quick hello and the routine small talk, Jim turned towards us and introduced us to Tim. You should have seen the look on Erin’s face. Priceless.

After we were introduced, I couldn’t help but say one more thing before Tim walked away. As he started to walk towards the end of the tunnel I said, “Thank you for loving Jesus so much.”

And he responded, “That’s what it’s all about, right?!”

That’s what it’s all about — RIGHT.

Here’s the deal, it’s all about loving Jesus!

Tim Tebow apparently gets this. I don’t know him. But, what I’ve seen, read and heard tell me that this man is on fire for the Lord. And because he is, everyone and their brother seem to think they have to answer this question: What are you going to do with Tim Tebow?

He’s all over the news. Not by choice— it simply sells! So the media is having a field day with everything Tim Tebow. And because of this, people have started to share how they feel about him.

Just this morning, when I logged into my AOL account there was an article with this headline: Tim Tebow Wins Again And Charles Barkley Says ‘The National Nightmare Continues’

Part of the article reads:

Missanelli then asked Barkley if he has had enough of Tebow.

“I think the world has,” Barkley replied. “First of all, Mike, I don’t know anything you said about Tebow but let’s just say the jury is still out on Tebow. He seems like a nice kid but these ups and downs are so different. The jury is still out on Tebow…”

Hmmm, I think it’s more like the world “has had enough” of Jesus. Needless to say, the media is all over Tebow. Why?

I’ll tell you what I think. First of all God has elevated Tim and given him the platform he has. God gave him talent — the ability to play exceptional football (yes, even JK says the guy can play so let’s not even go there — wink, wink.) God placed him on the Denver Broncos. God has allowed this team to win and lose (remember it’s a team sport). And God has allowed the media frenzy.

The frenzy we hear and see is not even about Tim Tebow. It’s about Jesus. If Tim didn’t chose to be so open about thanking Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior, the media wouldn’t be all over him. Twitter wouldn’t be trending #TimTebow. Google wouldn’t be posting a record number of searches for John 3:16.  YouTube wouldn’t have thousands of hits on #15 singing “Lord I lift Your Name on high” during a football game. The mayor of Pittsburg wouldn’t have lost a bet and had to wear a #15 Broncos jersey while Tebowing (bending down on one knee with head down — looking as though one is praying).

None of this is really about Tim at all. It’s about the One he loves — Jesus.

Because at the end of the day, it’s always going to be all about Jesus. Wherever His Name is proclaimed, and He is legitimately honored from the heart, there is controversy.

The interesting thing about all this is the fact that all Tim has done is thank God.  Whether verbally after a win (or loss, yes, he still thanks Jesus after a loss), or physically by bending the knee in prayer, or pointing to the heavens in praise. He hasn’t stomped his feet with conviction and intolerance on some soap box insisting that everyone repent or go straight to the fires of hell. No, all he’s done is thank and praise God. it’s crazy how much this drives people to such intense verbal abuse and condemnation.

The thing is, God doesn’t need Tim Tebow. He spoke and light existed, and He knows the number of hairs on your head. As if He needs any one of us. He doesn’t. But Tim Tebow, you, me, and everyone else breathing right now — we need Him.

We need God.

So, instead of asking or contemplating what we’re going to do with all of the Tebowmania, I guess we should ask ourselves the very question Tim asked me:

That’s what it’s all about right?

Maybe we should focus beyond the man to the One greater…

What are you going to do with the One it’s all about?

What are you going to do with Jesus?

For those of you who might not be familiar with this story, it’s found in the Gospel of Luke and it’s short enough for me to share it all here.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:38-42

There are layers and layers of truth in this story but I’m not going to get into all of that (although I would love to and maybe will another time).

Here’s the deal… I’ve been running like Martha but I crave the life and love of Mary.

I don’t know if it’s the season or the fact that I’ve bitten off more than I can chew —or both.

Regardless of the details that have brought me to this place, I’m choosing to do something about it. I’ve been distracted, worried and upset about many things. Like Martha, I’ve assumed that all of the things I’ve been doing are good because…they’re for Him. But they’re not what is better. The Doing is never better than the Being. I need to focus my heart, soul, mind and strength on the one thing that’s needed. Jesus.

And although this is a struggle, I’m so thankful that God chose today, during this time of year, to bring me back to my first Love… To bring me back to the feet of Jesus so that I can listen to what He’s saying instead of assuming that I already know.

I imagine that most of us have pulled a Martha… Maybe you’re stuck in her shadow right now.

Read the story again.

And again.

Hear Jesus speak into your distraction…  “…only one thing is needed.” Like Mary then, choose what is better. And don’t let doing good become opposed to choosing better.

A Prayer Can Change A Life

When I was little I had problems with body aches and pain. Well, I noticed that if you pray to God it will change you and me forever. When I was about 8 years old, I had a tooth problem and right now I am 9 years old and still have a problem with my tooth. So every night from now on my mommy, daddy and my sister pray for me.

I am so thankful that we can pray and ask God to heal us and take away our pain. You know what I love about God – is that He is the Name above all names and He reigns over heaven and earth.

So this day, just go to the Bible and pray to God – please heal me Lord Jesus and He will do this. It will take some time. But God’s timing is perfect!

I am so thankful that I can pray to God every day and every time I want to. He is so good to us.

God please help me because I am struggling with difficult things in my life and I need You every day at every time.

We all need you to come into our lives and save us from our sins.

Please Lord, help us to trust in You and not be afraid because You are strong, courageous, powerful, wonderful, and most of all Healer and Protector!

Thank You so much for listening on how to pray to the Lord and to believe in Him.

Love Miss Camryn Kelly,

JESUS ROCKS

I want to have child-like faith…don’t you?

Not a faith that isn’t growing but a faith that believes without hindrance.

A faith that trusts that God’s timing is perfect.

A faith that knows that Jesus is the answer for everything…all the time.

Let the words of a nine-year old inspire you today!

Here’s what I’ve been thinking…

Have You Found what You’ve been Looking For?

Why do we run hard after the things of this world that can never satisfy?

Why do we heap the burden of our expectations on people who can never fulfill them?

Why does God allow us to search high and low before we come to the end of ourselves where He is?

Love.

His love let’s us go.

Go here and there and everywhere.

Searching for this and that and everything.

For freedom and loves sake, He let’s us go.

Go and find what you’re missing.

Search for the things in this life that will satisfy your deepest longing.

Go ahead.

What you’re searching for will only be found when you get to the end of yourself.

What you’re missing can only be found when you’ve found all that you think you were missing in the first place is empty.

Search.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.” Jeremiah 29:13

We are in captivity to the things of this world; our pride, selfishness, arrogance.

We want our own way.

You can’t seek Him with all your heart when your heart is distracted by countless other pursuits.

Therefore, you won’t find Him.

So out of love – God say’s “Okay, have it your way.”

And when you do, you will eventually realize that all you longed for apart from Him is empty and meaningless.

The crazy thing is, He waits.

Love waits for you.

And when you’re ready, exhausted from the search and unmet expectations, He’s there for you.

Lord, thank You for letting us exhaust ourselves in the search only to find that You are the only answer to our hearts desires. All we long for is found in You alone.

“Steve Jobs dies at 56.”

As I continued to listen to the presentation of this man’s life and legacy over the airwaves, I started to weep. Tears poured down my cheeks as I listened intently and made my way home.

I’m a hug Apple fan.

Love my IPhone.

On numerous occasions I’ve said, “Once you go Mac, you never go back.”

But even so, my mini obsession for gadgets could not possibly move me to tears over this loss.

So I started to pray and talk to God about the overwhelming emotion I was feeling for this man I’ve never met and know nothing about.

“What is this? Why am I overcome with sorrow because of this man’s death?” I prayed.

“Certainly it’s not because of my phone or computer…it’s not about the gadgets.”

“Lord, maybe it’s about the creativity, the genius and the passion. Is this man Yours? Did he meet You face to face when he breathed his last here on this earth?”

I continued to weep and wonder.

Though I know very little about Steve Jobs, it’s obvious that he’s passionate and outrageously creative. Oddly this all reminds me of how I felt when Steve Irwin died (The Crocodile Hunter). Hunter (my son) loved watching Steve get crazy excited over the crocodiles and creatures – we all did. Because Steve loved the crocs –we did too.

Passion.

Creativity.

“All of this is a gift from You, God. The Passion. The Creativity. All evidence of Your great wonders and endless pleasures. All fingerprints that You are beyond our wildest dreams and imaginations. You are over and above what man can fathom in his mind and create with his hands. This is nothing compared to what You are capable of, and yet it’s something – it’s evidence that YOU ARE. ”

As I continued to talk to God about all of this on my morning drive home, I grimaced and found myself perplexed that I was even talking to God at all about any of it.

And then it hit me.

The question.

“What are you most passionate about?”

If you know me at all, you know I started crying…sobbing even more.

Why?

Truth is, most of us are not as creative and passionate as Steve Jobs or Steve Irwin. Most of us won’t leave behind a legacy that will be talked about on national media.

BUT…we will all leave a legacy.

We will.

We all leave part of who we are behind.

What will your legacy be?

The moment you’re in now is part of the legacy you’ll leave behind.

When this life is all said and done, when that very last breath is your first glimpse of eternity – a piece of you will remain.

This is outrageous and heavy and I really don’t want to think about it or talk about it…but maybe I need to.  Maybe you need to.

Because God has numbered our days.

And every single day is closer to that day. This isn’t negative or pessimistic…it’s reality.

Like it did for Steve, that day will come for you and for me.

So what will we do with the time we have left?

Will we spend ourselves for the sake of a meaningless passion or will our legacy leave behind a mark that pierced the hearts of people – for HIS sake?

Not a simple thing to ponder – I know.

But if we never ponder over things like this at all, we might not live our moments for that which is bigger than ourselves. For that which is eternal.

If my sharing this has done anything at all – I hope it’s at least moved you to think and pray about your passion and the things that matter to you – the moments that continue to make up the legacy that you’re leaving behind.

P.S….I’m praying for you

At exactly 9:01pm last night I received this text…

God has seen you cry, struggling with something.  God says its over.  A blessing is coming your way.  If you believe in God, send this message on, please don’t ignore it, you are being tested.  God is going to fix two things (BIG) tonight in your favor.  If you believe in God, DROP EVERYTHING AND PASS IT ON.  TOMORROW WILL BE THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE. DON’T BREAK THIS CHAIN.  IF YOU BREAK, YOU WILL SUFFER. SEND THIS TO 14 FRIENDS IN 10 MINUTES WHEN U READ IT.

This message came from an unknown number so of course my immediate response was…

“Who is this?”

To which he responded, “Umm who is this?”

“You sent me a prayer chain thing.”

“Whats ur name?”  He said.

And on and on it went until the undercover prayer chain deliverer was revealed.

So, why am I sharing this with you?

Because I imagine at some point you too have received one of these prayer chains.  Right?

What do you think about these?

Seriously, I’m curious.

This was my initial reaction to the message I received last night. I didn’t share my thoughts with the person who texted me because his intentions were from a heart of childlike faith (the texter was my young nephew).

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  I’m being tested?  Tomorrow will be the best day of my life?  If I break this chain, I will suffer? Really?  If God is in this prayer chain thing, then I’m in big trouble.  If this is from Him then everything I’ve believed up to this very moment is a lie.  The God that I know and love doesn’t work this way.

Who He is and what He does depends on His character and will.  The testing of His beloved is rooted in His outrageous love and grace not in response to some random prayer chain. As if blessing and “the best day of my life” might possibly depend on me at all.  God is the giver of ALL good things. (James 1:17) He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:45) He will have mercy on whom He chooses to have mercy, and compassion on whom He chooses to have compassion. (Romans 9:14) His ways and thoughts are beyond our ways. (Isaiah 55:8)

I could go on and on.  Yes, certainly there’s no evil intent in the sending of these prayer chains.  But, I have to wonder, what if I didn’t know the Truth?  What if God’s Word wasn’t hidden in my heart?  What would I do with this?

What would you do?

Would you forward this prayer chain to 14 friends in 10 minutes for fear that if you didn’t you would suffer? I know it sounds ridiculous, but what if people believe it?  What if they do what the prayer chain says and NOTHING happens?  What if they do what they’re told and tomorrow isn’t the best day of their lives.  What if tomorrow is the worst day?  What then?  Should God be blamed for the suffering because you didn’t keep the chain going?  Is this the kind of God you want to put your faith and hope in?

I think you get my point.

My heart aches to think that anyone would hold God to something so meaningless and empty.

HE’s GOD!

I’ve been asking God this question lately.

My nephew continues to struggle with some health issues and you would think that I would know how and what to pray for him considering all that we went through with Hunter.  But, I find myself coming back to that place of desperation where all I desire is for the problem to go away.

And so this was my prayer this morning…

“My grace is sufficient for you, for MY power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corin.12:9)  Lord where is Your strength in the midst of all this?  How can we really know Your strength when we long for the hardship to go away more than we long for more of You in the midst of it.  I will continue to come to You on this child’s behalf.  Keep my longing and boldness before your throne holy and righteous, not turning into bitterness because of my fear.”

After writing this prayer down in my journal I read it over and over again.

Because of fear, I’m caught up in this struggle.  Do I desire God and His will more than Brad’s healing?  This is so familiar to me.  I watched my son, Hunter, suffer every single day of his precious life and wrestled with this very thing.  Do I trust Jesus and His will?  Do I believe that He works all things together for good for those who love Him?  Is my desire for God and His strength in the midst of our weakness greater than my longing for life without this battle?

I haven’t figured this all out.

But I know that just in the pondering over it God is drawing me closer to His heart.  He’s teaching me to trust even more when I can’t comprehend His ways.  (Isaiah 55:8) He’s helping me to believe and seek forgiveness for my unbelief.

I’m learning…and growing.

We all are.

The good work He began in each of us, He has promised to complete.  This work includes these very moments.  Moments when I realize that I do want my way more than I want Him.  I do want Brad to be fully healed rather than see him struggle.  But it’s also in these moments of my weakness that God reveals that He is who He says He is and that He loves me despite my frail faith.

And so here I am…actually desiring more of Him and less of what I initially longed for.  Seeking after His heart more than the healing that I prayed for.

God knows.

He cares.

When we come to Him laid bare, authentic and real, He reveals our greater need and deeper heart’s desire.  And although prayers for Brad’s healing will not cease, it’s in the praying and seeking after God that I learn what my greater need is.  It’s always more of Him…and less of me.