you never know

So, here I am in Orlando for a meeting. I go to the gym and spa this morning before my meetings start and guess who I run into in the gym. Danny Wuerffel. (Kevin, this is a former GATOR, Heisman Trophy recipient- you know the guy that Georgia could never beat). Now I don't have the guts to snap a picture as Kevin Connell does..and I'm way too cool to ask for an autograph ...besides what would I do with his signature? Should I ask for his sweat on my towel as a momento? Nah. We shook hands and guess what we talked about? Jesus-stuff. We talked about his ministry - big strides since being devastated by hurricane Katrina and how there are still many needs. hint hint Youth teams during the summer... you just never know who you're gonna run into.

The 1 week 15 minute challenge

I was listening to a preacher on the radio the other day and he talked about the pitiful state in which a survey indicated that Christians spend very little time with Jesus, and do so inconsistently at that. Their Master. Their Savior. Their Everything. He basically identified three periods of 15 minute sessions that if faithfully followed, would radically change our relationship with Jesus. I thought to myself, I don’t do all three MOST days.

Sometimes, just one….and there are days that, my heart is saddened to admit, not even one 15 minute session – or if so, simply a feeble attempt so I can feel righteous about my works. When my time with Jesus is in this self-righteous manner, I failed to remember that this offering….STINKS TO GOD! It isn’t a sweet aroma.
So, the 15 minutes are:

1st- 15 minutes a day hearing from God. This is accomplished by being in His Word. Psalm 119:11 (NKJV) Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

2nd- 15 minutes a day talking with God. Also known as prayer. Romans 12:12 (NKJV): rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; I’m not talking the ‘take your shopping list of needs to Jesus’ kind of prayer! I’m talking confessing, repenting, adoring, worshiping and praying for others. Yes! Jesus knows what you need. When you start to spend more time focusing on Him and others, you’ll spend less time worrying about yourself.

3rd- 15 minutes a day talking about God... Jesus. Witnessing and sharing. Acts 26:22“Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great….”Luke 1:79 “To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death….” Just as we once were!
What a great way to being acting out your commitments to God. It’s a fresh new day – new mercies extended to us. What would be a challenge to you? Just doing one? Then begin with one! Two out of three? That’s a step! All three? Careful…you’re crossing into the danger zone of being radical !
Whatever your choice, care to take the challenge? For one week? I’d love to hear from you at the end of the week and share what God has done in your life! For this upcoming week – my personal goal is 2 out of 3...faithfully without fail.
Do number 2 for me would ya? Oops! I guess I’ll rephrase that and ask you to pray for me!! Serving Jesus Together!!

Not Leading!

I received this from Kevin, the Youth Pastor with whom I serve in the student ministry @ Promise Land Baptist Church. Check out his blog @ www.pluthpastor.blogspot.com.
He sent this article and said : Within the blogworld I came across this guy's post on leadership. I don't know him, but what he wrote is worth the read. For those of you whom God has called to lead, it will rock you. It rocked me! If you aren't rocked by it, I guess you're on it... "Well done thou good and faithful servant." For me, it was a reminder of what leading really is. I printed a copy and pinned it to the wall by my desk. Click here to read it. "

For those who are not in ministry, the same thoughts can be applied to the corporate world. This That is why many of you, my corporate contacts, are receiving this as you are leaders in your fields and I think could appreciate the crossover into the business world as you lead. Karen

A new day

Today is Thursday @ 10 am and I just got back from running. And guess what? Unlike Monday (you have to read "Are you feelin' it" to appreciate today's blabber) I looked forward to my time. I also had a new goal of going from 2 miles to reaching 3 miles today. It didn’t happen. But I’m not bummed about it. In time it will happen, but instead of making it happen in one day, I need to build up to that next mile. So my usual 2 miles in 28 minutes was today another ~1/2 mile in 34 minutes and walked another 4 to cool down. I am happy for the little progress!

This reminds me again of my quiet time. I’m not going to receive a “ramah” from God or feel moved by the scripture every day. But I certainly won’t receive either if I’m not in the Word at all. Meeting with Him each day moves us further down that path of sanctification, whether we feel it or not. Not all moments with God are going to be HUGE, at least mine aren’t. But every moment spent with God is good. My good and ultimately, His glory. If I want to hear from God, I need to be prepared to hear from God. My hands open, my spirit yielded, and my heart ready. God loves to spend time with me; all of his children.

Today is a new day. He is there waiting for you. Why don’t ya go spend a little time alone with Jesus?
Psalm 27:14
Wait on the LORD; be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!

I'm not feelin' it

Ok, so it was almost two weeks since I ran. Vacation in the mountains, visiting a sick Granny, a cold..all excuses but none the less, valid. So Monday I made myself go running. I didn’t want to. I wasn’t feeling the usual excitement and joy about it..it felt more like a chore than a pleasure. Not necessarily un-enjoyable, but I wasn’t feelin it you know?
Ever feel that way about your daily quiet time? This is shocking coming from you girls’ Sunday school teacher..but there are times I’m simply not feelin’ it. There are days I don’t get out of bed and dive into the Word.. There are even days when during the entire day I have meant to have a meaningful quiet time, but never got around to it and it is now 11 pm and not going to happen.
On those days, I tell my Father that I recognize that I didn’t make Him my priority and actually felt my lost time with Him throughout the day. Then I move on. I don’t beat myself up about it, I simply try to make it more of a priority the next day.
Even when the I’m not feeling it days come I still need to have that time with God. It helps create a good habit. The time together reminds me of the source of my joy, encouragement, and salvation, Jesus. It helps me be faithful and obedient.

So, on those days that you’re not feelin it….be faithful. It is for your good.

So how did I physically feel after running 2 miles after skipping nearly 2 weeks? Painful. Every muscle in my body was aching afterwards. I was now feelin it!!! But I know over the long run – no pun intended- it helps me be faithful and reach my goal.

Feeling "hedged in"?

Psalm 139 You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.

You ever get the feeling that things aren't happening as they should? A situation hasn't changed as you expected or anticipated? A plan isn't turning out quite right? Progress isn't happening?!

We were "in contract" with selling our house..in October! It hasn't happened. We moved in June-ish into the new digs..translation..two mortgages!!
July - not sold. Cool. God's in control.
August - not sold. Cool. God's in control.
Sept. - not sold. Cool. God's in control.
October - offer of contract. Signed. Cool. God's in control.
Nov - contract buyer issues. Less -cool. God's in control.
December - same issue. Way-less Cool. God's STILL in control.
Jan 2-contract broke, sale not happening. Not cool - but guess what?? God isn't surprised and He's still in control. What is he trying to teach us? Peace in uncertainty. Stewardship of His resources. Open-handed living...any and all perhaps.

Anxiety can begin to creep in and make you doubt what you know to be God's plan for you. You get a boxed in feeling. Pressure. Overwhelming. When God's plan isn't so clear any more especially in these times we must remember- Gods' got my back!! The psalmist uses the word hedged in. God will use certain circumstances to limit our actions. Force our focus on Him and what He's trying to teach us.

Feel like your feet are held close to the fire a bit too long? Don't flinch brother!
Feel like you're compressed from all sides? Take a deep breath sister and just be .....patient, still, obedient, trusting....whatever it is that God is trying to teach you. Be encouraged as God loves you so much He is teaching you to be more like Him. Imagine the lesson learned when you have completed the process -refined is a good word. Clarity. Pure. A bit more conformed to His image. Didn't do so well in the trial? Failed or gave up? Don't worry - you'll get another chance!! Because He loves you too much to leave you in the state you're in!