Greetings this Truth Bomb Tuesday from my favorite place in the world: Lake Tahoe!

I feel that I can confidently call Lake Tahoe my favorite place for two main reasons.

1. I have been blessed to travel on mission trips since I was in my 20’s, and I’ve visited almost every continent with many beautiful spots along the way. This includes skiing and teaching my children to ski in the Andes mountains of Chile, while we lived there as missionaries. While I have seen much of God’s beauty in His creation in all these places, Tahoe has been and remains my favorite spot for its breathtaking beauty.

2. While many beautiful spots on this earth hold unique beauty in one season or another, Lake Tahoe holds equal beauty, winter, spring, summer or fall!

From the time I was a young girl in 4^th grade, and was riding a bus up the mountain at 6:00 am on Saturdays to hit the ski slopes, I have felt God’s presence in that setting in a unique and real way. It begins with my eyes as they view the same mountains covered from top to bottom in evergreen trees, and capped at their peaks with a blanket of snow. My ears hear the breeze rustling through the trees as if to speak God’s still small voice to me in a whisper, that He is near. My nose takes in the fresh scent of pine and clean alpine air. My taste buds tingle as they are refreshed by the cold, clean pure mountain water. No bottled or filtered water needed here. I feel the touch of the cold air on my face, and it makes me feel alive.

Look at what the Hebrew psalmist wrote:

“Praise the Lord from the earth,
you creatures of the ocean depths,
fire and hail, snow and clouds,
wind and weather that obey him,
mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
wild animals and all livestock,
small scurrying animals and birds,
kings of the earth and all people,
rulers and judges of the earth,
young men and young women,
old men and children.”   Psalm 148:7-12

The connection between God’s created being—me—and God’s creation occurs when I interact with it. In the winter, for me it is skiing. What is it for you? Do you walk through a snow-covered meadow? Do you walk on a windy beach, wrapped in a warm blanket? When we come up in the Spring, it’s still Tahoe, so I can ski some more. Do you like to drive through the flower fields? In the fall, I love to travel up to Apple Hill, where there are hundreds of acres filled with apple and pear trees. I can stop in at any of a dozen bakeries, and enjoy the delectable treat of an apple donut, caramel apples, warm apple pie, and of course, just the crisp fresh taste of a variety of apples.

And now, it is summer, the season we find ourselves in. Summer offers a myriad of opportunities to enjoy His creation in various ways, and of course, VACATION! While some of you may lead strenuous lives and find no time for vacation, God desires and dictates that we all take a time of rest from our work. And I believe that we rest best when we are in His creation, one of His best gifts to us, and with our loved ones, His greatest gifts to us. So today, I find myself extremely blessed: in my favorite place, and with my favorite people, enjoying God’s creation together.

After one of our family favorite healthy breakfasts—whole grain toast topped with a fried egg, sliced tomatoes and avocados—we headed out for the Truckee River Trail. Arriving in Tahoe City, we secured six bicycles, and one trailer to tow my two precious grand babies. We started at the Truckee Dam, where Lake Tahoe spills into the Truckee River. It is a popular spot to river raft, bike and hike. We biked while paralleling the Truckee River, no more than 20 feet away, mild and slow moving in spots, mimicking a lazy summer day, and full of occasional rapids, creating excitement for those rafting down it. The trees provided a natural canopy that shaded us the majority of the way. And the river produced a cool breeze on our trek. Our destination was my favorite spot in Lake Tahoe: Squaw Valley, USA. We paused only for a water break, a Luna Bar, and a family photo. In a few minutes we were back on the trail, passing again the beautiful Evergreens and Aspens, the ducks and geese sitting on logs in the water, and butterflies that floated across the air in front of us. In total, our ride was 10 miles!

“Praise him, sun and moon!
Praise him, all you twinkling stars!
Praise him, skies above!
Praise him, vapors high above the clouds!
Let every created thing give praise to the Lord,
for he issued his command, and they came into being.”     Psalm 148:3-5

Truth Bomb

God’s creation connects the created to the Creator.

Where do you connect best with God? Maybe you enjoy trips to the park. Maybe you enjoy playing croquet or corn hole in your back yard. Maybe you enjoy riding the waves or splashing in the ocean at the beach. Maybe you enjoy walking in your neighborhood. Whatever you enjoy doing, God has made His creation for you—His created one—to enjoy!   I realize that many of you enjoy reading good books, or listening to quality music, or watching entertaining TV programs or movies. Although those things can be enjoyable, God desires that we get outside regularly and actively engage Him in His creation. We were made to enjoy it, to experience it, to be a part of it. God didn’t create His world and nature for Himself: He created this world so that we—created in His image—could enjoy it! There is no greater way for us to feel His presence or understand what we were created for.

Enjoying His creation, and praying you are too!

Speak Truth Love

The last word to describe my Mission trip to Temoaya central Mexico is RAINBOWS!

A rainbow is a promise, a sign from God that He is in control. It is a beautiful picture of hope!

A beautiful display of God’s splendor, glory, majesty and power arched across the sky in bright vibrant color!

It is no accident that a rainbow appears after a storm. That is God’s design! A physical storm stops us from being outside and doing what we were intending to do. A personal storm of life can also stop us from doing what we intend to do. But we must push through with the hope and the promise that God has a rainbow at the end of it for us! Just as a physical storm is necessary to bring the rain and the water that is needed to sustain life, a personal storm is also necessary to sharpen us and bring us to the place where God intends for us to be.

As sure as we are witnessing a rainbow appear in the sky after a storm, we can have that same assurance that God’s rainbow of hope and promise will appear in our lives after a personal storm. God promised Noah and all mankind,

“Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” Genesis 9:14-16

In Temoaya, Mexico, for four days we worked together outside to build a playground for the children and the church in La Canada. God held the rains back and we had beautiful weather. We had to dig a lot of holes and fill some holes where the rains had flooded. We had to carry equipment in and put playground equipment together. We had to mix concrete and pour concrete. We had to measure and hold them into place, and all the time we were praying for good weather to do it in. We had such a short time to complete such a big project!

GOD WAS FAITHFUL! We finished the playground on schedule and set everything in place and waited for the concrete to dry overnight. The next day we returned to the church and celebrated together as the Pastors prayed over the church, the children, the families and the playground! We then walked outside and joined in the celebration as the ribbon was cut, and many joyous smiling, children ran and played on the playground we built! The weather was bright, beautiful, and perfect!

We ate a delicious lunch together prepared by the women of the church. Homemade tortillas and fresh mango were just one part of the feast!
After that, together we led a pastors’ conference, A teachers’ conference, A medical conference, and an inside photo booth for the families.
Our team arrived at the church that morning and the skies were clear. Midway through our late afternoon teaching, we could hear the “ping ping ping” of raindrops start to fall. The concrete was firm and we were all dry inside the building as we talked and worked together.

The teaching seminar I was helping lead was coming to an end as we heard shrills of excitement outside. We all ran to the windows to look out, and there in the sky God had put not one, but TWO beautiful rainbows all around the work that He had helped us to accomplish that week. In His name there was not a single rainbow in the sky…there were two rainbows in the sky! It was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen! God himself was showing us that He ties the bow on the work that He allows us to accomplish.

He is our promise, He is our hope, and He is our salvation! We all face physical storms in our lives, and at times we all face personal storms. The goal is to keep our eyes on Him, to persevere to be obedient and to keep on keeping on in the direction He has pointed us in. If we do, He is more than faithful! He will bring a rainbow to the end of all of our storms, and tie each one up as we learn all that He has intended for us to learn and grow in!

Truth Bomb

God is faithful to His promises in every storm of life

Just as Noah was faithful to listen to God through his storm, even though there was no rain, severe drought, many doubters, umpteen mockers, and those who flat out called him a fool! We must trust God also, and be faithful! For our God is a faithful God: He always brings a rainbow! He is our promise, He is our help, and He is our hope!

Speak Truth Love

Servanthood was the second word that impacted me greatly on my mission trip to Temoaya, Mexico.

Servanthood is defined as “one that serves others, especially one that performs duties for another person or home.” The Word of God has a lot to say about servanthood. The central theme of the Bible is the Servant of all, Jesus Christ.
Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

If Jesus Christ Himself is the greatest example of a servant, and I claim to be His child and give my life to Him, then servanthood—serving others—needs to be the central focus of my life. When we truly give our lives to Jesus, like we talked about last week, and know we are called and accept that call He has placed on our lives, the lordship we give to Him will be expressed through the way we serve others.

Mark 9:35 says, “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, AND THE SERVANT OF ALL.”:

And then I Peter 4:10, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to SERVE OTHERS.”

Jesus adds in John 15:12-13, “My command is this: love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

We best demonstrate our lives being dedicated to God when we love and serve others.  True godly leadership is servanthood, and Jesus is our best example. Servanthood is not simply a word that is spoken or a lesson that is taught. It is an attitude. No one exemplifies this attitude greater than Christ. He is the one true living God. He has all the power and domain of the entire universe. Yet He humbled himself and He served God, and He served us. Living for God is giving all we are to God, and serving others.
God served us by meeting our greatest need: the substitute payment for our sins, when Jesus died on the cross. We serve Him when we share this Good News with others.
Servanthood began for me at home, in committing to sponsor a Compassion International child in Temoaya, Mexico. In giving a part of what God has given to us, and choosing to bless someone else, we are serving them in the name of Jesus. Servanthood was lived out on my mission trip when I was able to visit our little girl Jocelin and her family. Compassion International works diligently with these children, securing them a sponsor, and providing medical needs, educational needs, and spiritual needs. I was honored and humbled to walk alongside our Compassion partners and visit our little girl Jocelin and her family in their home. What happened next was not a demonstration of me serving them, but quite the opposite. I saw the sweet little face of Jocelin, that I had seen only in photos on our refrigerator before. She came running up to Jim and me, as our van pulled up as close as it could get, over the potholes, rocks and mud that led to their humble home. They greeted us with big hugs, huge smiles, and exuberant words of thanks for our visit. Her mother, her two brothers, her sister, her grandmother and her uncle all came out to greet us. Jocelin took us by the hand and led us into their meager home. We passed an open stable covered in adobe and filled with flies, that held the one cow that provided milk for the family. To our immediate right was a small adobe dwelling that had a narrow, low doorway covered by a blanket. The mom pulled the blanket aside and asked Jim and me to come in and sit down. We ducked our heads and walked into a room no bigger than the size of our bathroom. In it was their stove, a couch, a table and a cabinet that held their dishes. There was another small door that led to a small bedroom, where the whole family of five slept. They served us cold water bottles, and beautiful fruit they had put in the middle of the table, in a bowl just for us. They shared greetings, thanks, and love over and over through their words, smiles, and nods of their heads. As I looked up, I noticed the ceiling was covered with a piece of blue plastic. This apparently covered their adobe roof. A small wire hung in the center that lit the entire room dimly. We were being served and treated like honored guests by people who basically had nothing materially to give. Yet they gave everything to us they had. I was witnessing Christlike servanthood at its best.

My heart was filled to the brim with emotion that overwhelmed my spirit, and sent tears streaming down my face. I whispered quietly to God, “These people are giving me more than I could ever give back to them. How can I thank them? How can I serve them, God?” And He silently whispered to me, “You can share the only thing that has true worth, value and meaning. You can share me.”

2 Corinthians 4:5, “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as HIS SERVANTS FOR JESUS’ SAKE.”

In order to truly serve God, I have to get myself completely out of the way. As that sweet Mama kept thanking and blessing us over and over, as tears streamed down her face, we looked right back at her and shared Jesus. What more did we have to offer, but prayer and the love of Jesus? So we held hands together in that humble home, and prayed that they would all know Jesus, love Him, and serve Him as their Lord and Savior.
We traveled to two more homes that day, and visited with other sponsored children and their families. Each time we were served with the best they had to give: hot homemade tortillas, right in front of us; guacamole, salsa and beverages.

While I feel unworthy, we traveled a long way to be able to visit Jocelin and her family, in their own home. Jesus calls us to go and meet them right where they live, right where they are at, socially and spiritually. Isn’t that what Jesus did for us?

“Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being found in human likeness…” Philippians 2:6-7

TRUTH BOMB

Living for God is imitating Him and serving others.

If we are going to be like Jesus, then we are called to SERVANTHOOD. If we are going to walk like Christ every day, then we need to be serving others. Who is it that God is calling you to serve. It may that God is calling you to sponsor a child, with Compassion International. It may mean to meet a need in your local church. It may mean to meet a need of your neighbor. This week, will you pray and ask God who He is leading you to serve, and follow Him in that way? We can all serve someone. We can all make a difference for Jesus, and shine His light to those around us.

Speak Truth Love

 

What do you write when words do not begin to express what you are feeling? For this girl who loves her words, her emojis, and her explanation marks!!!! This is no easy task.  I must heed the advice and example I was given many years ago on some of my very first mission experiences. “Choose three words that mark your mission experience best.” 

So I must keep it to these three simple words: Called; Servanthood; and Rainbows. This week, I’m going to share about being “Called.”

    I was called by God many years ago to serve Him faithfully.  You are called; I am called; and we are all called as Christ followers to be the hands and feet of Jesus.  We are called to carry the good news of His salvation to each and every person we encounter, wherever He may take us.  This trip to Central Mexico reminded me in a very up close and personal way that I was “CALLED” by God over 30 years ago, to not just “go on mission trips”, but to live a mission-and-purpose-minded life.  I was called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in whatever situation He put me in.  On this trip I was to pick up a shovel and dig a hole.  I was to help carry and plant a post in that hole; to pour cement around it and secure it.  In this way it could eventually hold laughing, smiling, happy and excited children as they slid down the slide that was now securely fastened.  As I dug that shovel in the ground and scooped out that fresh earth and threw it to the side to fill a saturated hole under the swings, I was reminded of the swing set I pushed my daughter on in “El Parque Bosque” in San Jose, Costa Rica.  I can still hear Christina’s sweet voice ring out, “The sky is pink, Mom! It’s time to go home.” That was our cue that sundown was near and it was time to go home.  Tyler and Jim were waiting at home for our return.  Tyler was barely 3 months old.  I was an eager young wife when I first answered God’s call on my life.  I started out this quest, excited and ready, to “stand by her man.”  We were willing to go wherever God called us in this big wonderful world He had created.  We were willing to leave behind the conveniences that the United States had to offer, and raise our babies away from family and friends, away from hot running water, away from disposable diapers, and away from McDonald’s Play land.  Yes, I was ready! 

But I had no clue how much I would learn about God’s unending faithfulness to meet our every need and demonstrate that only He is truly what we need.  As I lifted that shovel again and again, full of Central Mexican dirt, I was warmed throughout my entire spirit with a true sense of God’s faithfulness, steadfastness, and amazing provision for all I would need to accomplish the task at hand.  Yes, I was called to be here.  I was called to push through my sinus infection, the fatigue, the rain, because the call that God has placed on my life is there until He calls me home to Him. 

“God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.”                      I Corinthians 1:9

   God’s faithfulness alone is enough to keep me steadfast to His call on my life.  But the truth is, He does not call me alone.  He calls all of His children to the same call; to the willingness to be used in any walk of life God places us in.  I was not digging holes, filling holes, carrying playground equipment, cleaning playground equipment by myself. I was shoulder to shoulder with 39 others who  heeded the same call.  Together, we were answering God’s call on our lives, collectively bringing this playground to their kids.  A playground here may seem like a common occurrence, but to these kids, this playground was the only one around for miles.  It would not only be a source of entertainment and exercise for the children at the church, but also a draw for other neighborhood kids to come to the church.  In many ways, we felt that the playground would bring joy and laughter to the children, and potentially a relationship with God and His Son as well.  And not just for the kids, but also for their parents.

    What are you called to do with the life God has given you?  Are you called to be an example in your children’s school, to parents who may not know Him?  Are you called to shine His light in a playground you find yourself in in your neighborhood?  Are you called to serve and be the hands and feet of Jesus at your church?  Are you called to be an example of His love and kindness in your workplace?  In your family?  Or, in line at the grocery store? Wherever He has called you to be, He has called you to be His hands and feet.

TRUTH BOMB

 God is faithful when He calls you.

   One of my greatest blessings on this mission trip to Temoaya, Mexico, was being reminded of the call God placed on my life.  I want to be found faithful to love the way He loves, to serve the way He serves, to be willing to go wherever He calls me to go, and to be His hands and feet, every single day.

  “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Mark 16:15

We are all called by God to share His good news, whether it is through our deeds, our words, our prayers, or our finances.  Some are senders and some are goers.  But we are all called by God. Let’s be faithful to that call!

Next week, I can’t wait to share with you about Servanthood! Until then…

Speak Truth Love

I have the honor and privilege of serving on a Missions Trip this week in Temoaya Mexico!

This is a picture from the playground that we are building!

I look forward to being back next week, and  sharing about all that God is doing and has put on my heart!

Until then, I leave you with these verses that James shares about our faith.

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”

James 2:17-18

May God bless you and encourage you this week!

 

Speak Truth Love

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus is on this earth, becoming human and living among us for 33 years. He grows in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.  He chooses his disciples, he walks with them and talks with them and teaches them, then he gives the greatest gift the world will ever receive–Himself! He suffers and dies a cruel death. But he is God, and death cannot hold him in the grave. He raises on the third day and appears to many. Then, as he is about ready to ascend into heaven to take his rightful place next to his Father, he speaks his last words to his disciples, and to us!

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” Matthew 28:19

Out of all the words Jesus could have spoke, He chose these specific words to leave us with. These words are vital! When we believe in Jesus Christ, in his ultimate sacrifice for our sins, and accept him as Lord and Savior, we are saved!  We have a eternal life with Jesus Christ in heaven forever. Then why are we still on this planet,  awaiting that glorious day? Because Jesus has given us a job to do. We are to go and shine his light to others and share the good news that he has brought to us and to the world.
There are many ways that we can do that–in our neighborhoods, in our families, in our schools–and on mission trips. I am blessed to be going on a mission trip to Temoaya, in Central Mexico. I leave in less than two days with my husband, and 39 other individuals from my church. We are blessed to partner with Compassion International in a work they have there.  It involves church planting and child sponsorship. My husband and I are excited to get to see our sponsored child Jocelin. And we get to meet her family!  We will also be building a playground, sharing a VBS, leading a marriage seminar, teacher training seminar, and the pastor leadership seminar. If it were not for the sacrifice, generous commitment, and gifts from our family and friends, this trip would not be possible for us. Our hearts are full of love, gratitude and thanks to those who have partnered with us and supported us in going on this trip.

Jesus tells us in his word that there are the Goers and there are Senders. Without the Senders, the Goers cannot go and without the Senders and the Goers partnering together, those who need to hear the good news of Jesus, would not be able to hear it.  

“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Good News about Christ…And how can they hear, without someone preaching to them…And how can they preach unless they are sent?”  Romans 10:17, 14

As we leave this week to share the good news of Jesus with those into Temoaya Mexico, I ask for your prayers. We are in this together! Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “two are better than one,…”  Jesus sent out his followers two by two!  There is so much mutual encouragement and support when we go after God’s mission together!

TRUTH BOMB:

TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE!

I thank you for your prayers, I trust in them, and I know I cannot do this alone! But together and with God, all things are possible!

I look forward to sharing all that God does on this trip with you when I return!

Speak Truth Love

How many of you have ever been thrown a curve ball? You’re walking straight and confident in one direction, and you feel comfortable with that pace. You don’t have to overthink anything, your footing is sure, and your expectations are met. And then, it happens: life throws you a curve ball! You weren’t expecting it; your straight ahead paved path takes an unforeseen turn.

Last week we talked about “trustworthiness.” On being a person who is trustworthy, someone that people can rely on. But let’s be bluntly honest: as hard as we try, as good as a friend as we strive to be, we all fall short. At one time or another, we dropped the ball and let someone else down. There is One, however, who never falters: there is One on whom we can completely depend. There is One and only One whose trust we can take to the bank.

David sure had a lot of curve balls thrown at him. And he didn’t even play baseball! But he was a shepherd. One day, along came a lion. And another day, along came a bear. Totally unexpected curve ball, and very dangerous. Beyond David’s natural ability to overcome. He was a meager shepherd boy, the youngest of his brothers, sent out into the field to care for his father’s flocks. It was certainly not by his own physical strength or natural ability that he was able to overcome these mortal threats. Check out David’s confidence in going to face Goliath:

“I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”  I Samuel 17:34-37

Because David had experienced God’s trustworthiness to come to his rescue and save him before, he had all confidence that God would vindicate this Israelite young soldier to defeat a blaspheming pagan challenger. And you know the story: God came through for him!

In Psalm 28:7 David proclaims, “The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in Him with all my heart.”

“But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3

When I was in college, I used to drive back and forth between my grandparent’s home in Arizona, and Pacific Christian College in Fullerton, California. Basically it was a 7-8 hour drive, with not much but a whole lot of desert in between. On one trip I was returning, alone, from my grandparent’s house. I think I was somewhere in the middle, between Blythe and Indio. My car started to overheat, and steam began to pour out from under the hood. I was frightened and alone. I pulled over to the side of the road, but I didn’t want to lift up my hood, because I was afraid of who might stop and help me. I leaned my head forward on my steering wheel, and prayed,

“God, please help me, and keep me safe.”

Immediately, I looked up into my rearview mirror and I saw a semi truck about 200 feet behind me. No one else was in sight. And then, in my peripheral vision, I caught a small sedan in view that pulled directly in front of me and stopped. It was like it literally came out of nowhere. There was nothing but the semi truck in my rearview mirror. I had a peace that came from my trust in God, and I knew I was safe. There were two people in the front seat. The driver got out and asked me if I needed help. I never saw the passenger, only a shadow. The driver immediately lifted the hood, put his hand straight down in and pulled up a broken belt. He handed it to me and said, “Here is your problem. There is an exit about a mile and a half ahead. Wait till your car cools down, and you should be able to drive over there and get some help.” I was elated! I knew God had sent me an angel! I said, “Thank you so much!” He closed the hood, and said, “May God bless you.” And I said, “He already has!”

We both got back in our cars. He pulled forward and left. I shut the door of my car, locked it, and said, “Thank you Jesus, so much for helping me!” I looked up and back into my rearview mirror, and this same car was behind me again. There was no way he could have driven up to the next exit, turned around, and made it back behind me in such a short time. He pulled around in front of me, and I knew God and sent him back. God taught me a valuable lesson that day: not only to trust Him completely, but also to give Him the glory when He blessed me. The passenger remained a still shadow in the front seat, and the driver came around to me again. He opened up his trunk, and in it he had a tow rope. He hooked it to the back of his car, and to the front of my car, and he said, “I’ll tow you to the station at the next exit.” And he did.

“But when I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

I put my trust in my God when I was 19 years old and afraid. And my God proved trustworthy! He kept me safe and took care of me.

So what about you? What is your bear? What is your lion? What happens when life throws you a curve ball, and the path you’ve been walking takes an unexpected turn? Can you say, like David,
“But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.” Psalm 13:5

“I trust in you, my God. Do not let me be disgraced.” Psalm 25:2

“Commit everything you do to the Lord [even if it is a new way] : trust Him and He will help you.” Psalm 37:5

Truth Bomb:

Bear, lion, or giant; you can trust in the Lord: He will never fail you!

When your bear turns into a lion, or when your lion turns into a 9 foot Philistine, do you put your trust in the Lord? Do you allow Him to be as big and powerful for you in your life as he was for David? As He was for me? You can always truth in the Lord, He has and will continue to prove Himself trustworthy! 

Speak Truth Love

Who do you trust?

When I think of trust, I can’t separate it from “trustworthiness.”
Trustworthiness is a virtue attributed to people.
I can trust in my car when I get in it to take me from point A to point B.
However, there is no guarantee that it isn’t going to break down, or God forbid, I get in an accident and don’t make it to “B” after all. But because my car has been reliable, I trust daily that when I get into it, it will take me where I need to go.

I also trust that when I put my feet on the floor in the morning, I’m going to be able to stand. I trust that when I open my mouth, my vocal chords will work, and sound is going to come out. I trust also that my Cuisinart Coffee Maker, programmed the night before, is going to be brewing my coffee to perfection, and be waiting for me by the time I wake up. The aromatic fragrance hits my nose, even though I’m in the bedroom and it is in the kitchen. I trust and rely on these things each and every morning I wake up. I don’t think about them and their reliability. I just act on them, because they have been reliable.

But putting my trust in people comes at a much higher risk. My coffee pot may stop working, and several times in my life I have had to replace it. It causes me to make an emergency run to Starbucks to kick start my morning. But it does not hurt my feelings; it does not leave emotional scars.

Unlike a personal relationship with family or friends. I get up early, I clear my schedule, I anticipate sharing my cup of coffee with her, and not drinking it by myself. I look forward to the conversation we will have, the laughs we will share, and the fun we will encounter together that day. But then, my cell phone makes that sound that all of our cell phones make: eeehhhhh! Or blooooodooo-dee-doo! I receive a text message, and she cancels on me. Is it a valid reason? Do I get to judge on the validity of her reason? Is this the first time, or does this happen again and again? Is it a trust issue in this relationship? Regardless, I am disappointed. And a piece of me, whether it stems from insecurity or some other issue, begins to lose trust.

We have all been there, and the shoe can certainly be on the other foot. Or more accurately, the shoe can be on my foot. How trustworthy am I?
Within our current culture lies a deep-rooted value: I will do something if it fits into my schedule, if I have had enough rest, and if something “better” doesn’t come along. I mean, I may be speaking boldly here, but truthfully, we can all be “sick” every day in this crazy, busy driven life that we lead. Am I willing to put aside my comfort level to give my best, to give my all, to others? Am I not only expecting a relationship of trust, but am I giving and living a relationship of trust?

We say, “Treat others the same way you would like to be treated.” Am I willing to live the Golden Rule, found in Matthew 7:12, and develop a life of trust?

If any of us have any hope of being that trustworthy friend to another, or being that mom, or being that wife, or being that sister, or being that faithful daughter, we must lean on the One who embodies and defines trust.

Proverbs 3:5-6 is a verse familiar to most of us. For me, recently, this verse has come alive. God was speaking to me clearly when He brought this powerfully into my life a couple of months ago.

“Trust in the Lord will all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”

Our heart in the Scriptures refers to the deepest part of our innermost self. He was asking me, and He is asking you, to trust in Him completely, with every single facet of me that I am. In my spirit, and in my devotion to Him, in my job and in my ministry, and with my family, and every personal relationship. Not because I can clearly see what lies ahead; but because I trust in the God who does see clearly what is ahead for me. My understanding—your understanding—only goes as far as we can figure something out.

God is clearly calling us here to let go of what we can’t clearly figure out, and to put our whole selves—all of our trust—in Him, to work all the details out.
“In all your ways acknowledge Him…”
Start out each and every day, giving Him this day, and giving Him your plans for this day, and allowing Him to make your plans His plans.
Tell Him out loud, or whisper in a prayer, that you trust Him to take care of any situation you find yourself in.
“And He will direct your paths.”
You may not see where He is leading you. But you can trust that the path He is leading you down is the right path for you.
Joseph certainly had his character and trustworthiness tested. In Genesis 39, a beautiful, powerful woman came after him to seduce him, and Joseph had a character-defining choice to make.

He said,
“My master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”     Genesis 39:8-9

Even when Potiphar was away, even when he knew no one else was looking and he might have got away with it, Joseph wasn’t going to fool around with his wife. Joseph knew that by being trustworthy to others, He was being trustworthy to his God. He was that reliable. He fled that unfaithful woman. Joseph let trustworthiness rule his life!
So, let’s go back to our date for coffee…when you agree to go and meet someone, even if it is “just for coffee”, fulfill your commitment. Do your best to demonstrate a life full of trustworthiness.
“Whoever is faithful in little matters, will also be faithful in bigger matters” Luke 16:10

And then, when it’s not just a coffee date, and your friend is in a crisis and really needs you, she will know to call you, because you have proven yourself trustworthy, again and again.

TRUTH BOMB:

Keeping your promises, even when it hurts, builds a character of trust.

Trust is a virtue that our culture may have lost hold of in this “take care of me first” world we live in. Let’s ask God to help us demonstrate trust to those we have a relationship with, by practicing trustworthiness each day. Remember Joseph, who made his goal in life, not to please himself, but to please his God. Even if it cost him a lot in the short run.

I hope you enjoy a lovely coffee date this week, and I continue to welcome your comments from last week, about what or who you are thankful for…

Speak Truth Love

Today, with a heart full of thanks, I want to share on thankfulness. After writing a 4 week series on motherhood, and being thankful for the legacy I was left, and the living legacy that goes on before me, I got to celebrate Mother’s Day. Not being in proximity to all those I love, but loved by all those that are near and dear to my heart, through their words, cards, gifts, phone calls, FaceTime, pictures and memories that will all stay in my heart forever, I find myself THANKFUL!

Thankfulness seems like a simple and possibly obvious topic.  But truthfully, I find myself, and maybe you do too, leaning toward grumbling and complaining far more often than I find myself leaning toward thankfulness.  My Grandma, whom I have shared about in detail, loved to sing, as I’m sure you remember by now.  One of her favorite hymns was “Count Your Blessings.”  The words scroll across my memory in the exact tune she used to sing it to me, in her sweet, high soprano voice.

“Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God has done. Count your blessings, name them one by one…count your many blessings, see what God has done!”

I hear those words in my mind each time that the grumbling and complaining comes. I know I should count my blessings.  I know I have more to be thankful for than I do to complain about.  Yet I often push that sweet voice out of my head, and give in to the grumpy mood that ensues with my grumbling and complaining attitude.  If the words from my grandmother aren’t enough, maybe the words from a song will be. It’s from one of my favorite movies, which occurs during my favorite time of year—Christmas—which occurs during my favorite season of the year—Winter—the Irving Berlin classic “White Christmas.” In this  song Bing Crosby croons to young Rosemary Clooney as he tries to win over her heart:  “When I’m worried, and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings, instead of sheep…and I fall asleep, counting my blessings.”

How many sleepless nights have we had?  How many needed hours of rest have we wasted, by worrying instead of being thankful?

If the words of my dear sweet Grammie and the famous words of Bing Crosby can’t sway me to focus on a heart full of thanks, then my only hope is to turn to my God, where I should always look first anyway!

Let’s do a Bible word search together on “thankful.”

I Thessalonians 5:18 (thanks, or give thanks): “…Give thanks in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 2:7: “…Rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”  

Ephesians 5:20: “…Always giving thanks to God the Father for EVERYTHING in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  

Colossians 3:15 draws a direct connection to being thankful and having peace. Here within lies the answer to the end of our sleepless nights.  “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace, and BE THANKFUL.”. 

 It is something we must DO.  It’s an action.  Being is not just sitting on the couch, and feeling sorry for myself. It’s not focusing on  what I do not have, or what I wish I had, or what I wish I did not have in my life!  No!  It is a sense of being.  It is who I choose to be, and how I choose to act.  It is something I must DO.  I am not to just give thanks, but I am to actually be thankful.  It calls us to a state of being.

What is our first reaction when something goes wrong?  Are we quick to get angry or complain or grumble?  I can be the first one to have this kind of attitude. So how do I curb it?  How do I “be” or “become” the thankful, peaceful person that God says I can be?

Colossians 4:2 gives us the answer.  “Devote yourselves to prayer, BEING WATCHFUL, [WAITING AND LOOKING FOR GOD TO MOVE], AND THANKFUL [ACTING ON WHAT YOU ARE ASKING FOR, BY BEING THANKFUL!].”

And then, the ultimate reason that we are thankful: the ultimate reason I can always have a heart of thankfulness and an innermost being that is thankful at my core: is the truth that is in Hebrews 12:28.  This is my truth, and it is also your truth!

“Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, [by anything that happens to me here on earth], let us BE THANKFUL and so worship God acceptably, with reverence and awe.”

 Truth Bomb: Every day, regardless of our circumstances, we can give thanks for our assured eternal hope that we have in Christ.  

Let’s share our thanks together and start a habit of thankfulness.  Statistics tell us that anything repeated over and over becomes a habit.  I have a habit of drinking delicious strong roasted coffee every day.  What if every time I tipped that cup of steaming hot deliciousness to my lips, before I let the flavor settle on my taste buds, I would “be a person who lifts a word of thanks before I took that sip?”

So let’s practice it together this week.  In the comments section, write something, or more than one thing, that you are thankful for. No wrong answer here!  Share it from your heart. Do not overthink it or worry about someone else’s response. Just give thanks!  Be thankful! We’ll do it together!

Speak Truth Love

Motherhood Series: A Four Generational Look at Motherhood

Week Four: ‘The Joy of Being A Mother To A Mother’

The Celebration of Motherhood is right around the corner. In less than one week from now we will celebrate MOTHER’S DAY! For almost 29 years now I have celebrated being a Mom with the two very special Moms in my life, my grandmother Lela, and my mom Linda. I loved being in their “club;” rejoicing with them, crying alongside them, and pulling my hair out asking them to help me regain my dignity. Yet, as wonderful as that time was, NOTHING has been as SPECTACULAR as the last four years have been!

On April 10, 2012, I was asked to do something that I have never been asked to do before. My daughter, with the permission of her husband, asked me to be in the delivery room with her as she gave birth to her first child!

I was truly honored and privileged by both my daughter and my son-in-law, for asking me to take part in such a miracle!  It was truly a gift they were giving me, and I had no idea how big and how special that gift was until the first moment I saw her face! My beautiful Camdyn Kaylyn! She was the most beautiful creature I had ever laid eyes on. Her eyes were as blue as the northern sky, her cheeks were porcelain and perfect, and her lips looked like rosebuds! If you think that this Grammie is just exaggerating, you can ask any nurse on the floor in that hospital. They could not get over her, and neither could I! Her disposition matched her beauty. She was happy, content, and peaceful. She loved being held and cuddled-didn’t squirm or become anxious-she just seemed to love the life God had given her! And my life was changed from that moment on! Yes, it was changed in part by this beautiful little girl that would add to the generation of our legacy and become the fifth woman in line. But it was so much more than that, that changed my life forever. It was becoming a mother to a mother.

I’ve never read a book on that, never sang a song written about that, never read a poem about that or saw a print hanging on a wall celebrating that, yet it was, and is my greatest joy as a mother!

My beautiful baby girl, Christina Nicole, was my first born. She came into this world on May 22, 1987. She was beautiful just like her baby girl, and they looked a lot alike. Christina had brilliant blue eyes. In fact, after her birth my mom said, “You should change her name to Crystal, I have never seen such clear blue eyes!”

She had the same porcelain skin, and rose bud lips! Although they looked almost identical, my girl was born with a very different personality! She was bright-no let me change that-she was and is brilliant! From a very early age I knew she was smarter than I was. I just had to not let her know I knew that until she was ready to use the incredible intellect, the bright and brilliant character, and the generous, loving heart that God had given her!

If you think that I am exaggerating, if you think that these are just words from a proud mama, let me tell you a true story. My mother and mother-in-law came to the hospital the day Christina was born. Due to my “strong-willed daughter”, deciding to do a complete 90° flip inside of me the week before she was born, and turn bottom breech, they decided to schedule her arrival into this world with a C-Section. Therefore my mom could not be in the delivery room, but my mom and mother-in-law were anxiously waiting to view the little cherub as soon as they rolled her out from delivery! They both were aghast when they witnessed her roll to the side and grab the sides of her little plastic roll bed. One of them yelled, “Watch out, you are going to lose her!” The doctor had come into my room warning me, that due to my baby being born C-section, she would be more on the lethargic side. If that girl was lethargic, PRAISE GOD she was a C-section baby! This was a tell-talk sign of things to come. I spent the next 13 years making sure I “watched out, so that I wouldn’t lose her!” I was always trying to stay one step ahead of my beautiful, smart, spirited girl!

Then it happened. Something wonderful clicked, and we became best friends! It was the end of her eighth-grade year, and I remember it like it was yesterday. Something clicked in those beautiful crystal blue eyes, and connected in that gorgeous, brilliant brain of hers! She realized the love of a mother! Instead of seeing my boundaries for her as barriers to her will, she saw them as love and protection. The love of a mother, who wanted only the best for her.  Something happened from that point on that set her on a course to become the greatest mother I have ever seen!

The joy of becoming a mother to a mother is inexplicable! My daughter is the best mama I have ever witnessed! Even before her babies were placed in her arms, she began preparing. She never took the gift of motherhood for granted. She gave all the glory to her God, and then lived out her gratitude through her diligence, her commitment, her preparation, her hard work, her kind heart, her discipline, and her boundless love for her children!

She thought of every detail ahead of time, details I would’ve never thought of.  She read every book, prepared not only their outward world, but their inward world as well, with her mother’s heart! From the moment they were placed into her arms, she held them with love, strength, and confidence! This oozed over to her children and has created a secure, confidence in both of them. I watched as she created a kind, loving, secure, and safe environment for her beautiful baby girl. I never saw her panic, even when situations arose. But I did see her pray to her God, cling to her husband, and trust that God would give them all of the right answers. I witnessed as she modeled a Christ-like example of being a wife for her tiny baby girl. She showed respect in asking him, including him, and loving him, as God had called her to do. I witnessed as she embraced his dreams, and joined in them with him, as she took hold of his hand, safe and secure that God was leading them as they packed up their house with a one year old, and moved to a brand new city to pursue a ministry they had been called to. I watched her join in that ministry with him wholeheartedly! Taking packed meals for her little girl as they both joined daddy at his youth group events.

I witnessed as she had her second child, who was double the size of the first! A beautiful boy, who came out with zest and zeal for life, much like his mommy did! Within 24 hours of his birth, he was taken from her loving arms and put into the NICU care unit. I saw firsthand that she leaned on her God in one of her most trying and dark hours! She never doubted His strength and power to heal her son, and she stood beside her baby boy and her husband the entire 9 days in the NICU! God answered her prayers, all of our prayers, and healed that baby boy! I then watched as she became a mother of two. Two very different children, with two very different personalities! I have watched her navigate and find her way through disciplining, loving, and mothering two different children. I have never seen anyone do it any better. She seeks God with all of her heart, trusts in Him completely, and relays on Him to be her strength and her true source of wisdom. I am proud of not only the mother that she is, but the wife that she is and the servant of God that she is. I know that her children will truly rise up and call her blessed, because she has put God first, her husband second, and her children next!

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her.” – Proverbs 31:28

Where does she fall into the lineup, you ask? Dead last! She is the most sacrificial, loving, giving, mother, wife, friend, daughter, sister, niece, granddaughter,…I am so proud of her and so happy to call her not just my daughter, but my very best friend! She is my treasure, my priceless jewel beyond compare, and a mother like none other. She has given me a great gift in my two grandchildren! But the greatest gift of all is the gift she has given me to be a part of her life and theirs!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY, CHRISTINA NICOLE! You are a beautiful example of a loving, giving, sacrificial Mom!

I love you with my whole heart, FOREVER AND EVER!

Truth Bomb:

It is an inexplicable joy to be a Mother to a Mother!

As we bring this mothers series to an end, I want to wish all of the mothers out there a very happy and blessed Mother’s Day! You all deserve a day to be honored and blessed! No matter what kind of an example of a Mother that you had, or how you feel that you have succeeded or failed at being a mom, ALWAYS REMEMBER, God is Father to the Fatherless, A perfect parent to us all. May this day be a reminder of His love for you!

“A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God, in His holy dwelling.” – Psalm 68:5

Happy Mother’s Day!

Speak Truth Love