July 2011

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This year our daughter starts high school. This is the age when kids either flop or flourish. They either self-destruct or blossom. Quite honestly, a great deal of the parenting’s already been done. More and more, I spend less time telling my daughter how to view the world. Most often, I listen as she tries… (Read more)

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As you start your busy week, let’s not get so busy we neglect to notice and enjoy the little blessings God has sprinkled throughout our day. Be alert to His presence and His call on your heart, whether He uses a flower, the soft chirping of a bird, or a lazily drifting cloud to still your heart and draw you closer.

Today’s post is from author Kathy Harris.

Wild Roses by Kathy Harris

It was Gospel music week in Nashville and, as usual, I couldn’t find a parking place in front of the convention center. I circled around the block, finally pulling into a spot four or five blocks away. With a single quarter to feed the meter, I would have to walk quickly to return before it reverted to red.

With each step, my high-heeled sandals reminded me of the uphill walk to the convention center and the thought that I should have changed into my walking shoes before leaving the car. But the warm, spring weather and the chance to “people watch” soon took my mind off any discomfort.

I have participated in Gospel Music Association week for several decades, and it always amazes me how things have changed since the early years. Christians of all ages, shapes, and colors now converge on Nashville for the annual GMA convention and Dove Awards.* What used to be almost exclusively a Southern gospel music event has evolved to include Christian contemporary, Christian rock, black gospel, praise music, and even holy hip hop. It lifted my spirit and diminished my climb to see the different people God was using to bring seekers into His fold.

Once inside the lobby of the convention center, it took only a few minutes to pick up the Dove Award tickets I had come for. The young girl at the counter smiled and wished me a nice day.

“It’s all downhill now,” I said.

As I rounded the corner of the building on my way back to the car, I saw a beautiful planting of “wild” roses, something I hadn’t noticed on my climb. I stopped to smell them, and the fragrance was heavenly.

Strolling back down the hill, I thought about how often we struggle without taking the time to enjoy the beauty God has put in our path, especially when we are climbing. That beauty is often planted by others. Wild roses certainly don’t grow in the midst of concrete unless someone makes a special effort.

I was heartened that day by someone’s special effort—and the thought that once in a while we can coast downhill, at least for a while.

 I hope you find “wild roses” today. And, if you can, I hope you plant a few. 

~ Kathy Harris is an author by way of a Divine Detour into the Nashville entertainment industry. She regularly hosts music and literary guests on her blog at www.DivineDetour.com.

*As of 2011, the Dove Awards were moved to the City of Atlanta. I’ll miss my annual trek up the hill to the convention center.

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I’ve already shared a little about my daughter, her faith, and her blog. Honestly, she continues to amaze both my husband and I. I’m not sure what happened to the timid, often insecure little girl that used to skip across our yard. In her place emerged a strong, faithful teen ready to stand on her convictions. And today she visits author K Dawn Byrd’s blog to encourage other teens to do the same.  Come stop by and leave a word of encouragement. I know she’d appreciate it!

Ashe Slattery Shares Reaching Out to the Misfits

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Do you ever feel like you’re climbing an uphill battle? Like you slip back with every step you take forward? Sometimes, when we find ourselves fighting against the wind, we begin to question God. Surely if He was in it, everything would go well. We’d see instant results. Doors would fly open.

Perhaps…but what if the doors are opening in areas where you don’t see it? What if God’s doing a work you’ll never know about? Or perhaps one that you won’t hear about for years, maybe even decades.

We’ll never know, and in our limited vision, there’s much we’ll never see. Many saving-faith commitments we’ll never hear. That’s where trust, surrender, and obedience comes in. Conditional surrender says, “I’ll follow You as long as I see results.” Unconditional, total surrender–the kind God uses–says, “I’ll follow You no matter what. I’ll trust You no matter what. I’ll serve you, laying my life down moment-by-moment, even if it feels like I’m grasping at the wind because I know You are sovereign and loving and true.”

Loved this quote from Eddie Snipes, I Called Him Dancer, (another novel that demonstrates what it means to live out the gospel message). “Don’t ask the Lord to bless your plans. Seek Him alone, and walk in the works He established for you to walk in. He may ask you to row against the wind, but that’s okay. Row with faithfulness and obedience.”

Psalm 32:8-11 (NIV)

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
   I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
   which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
   or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,
   but the LORD’s unfailing love
   surrounds the one who trusts in him.

 11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
   sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Verse one is God’s promise to us. He will guide us, in love. He says His eye is on you. Stop and think about that for a moment–God’s watching you right now. Not to condemn or annihilate you or catch you in some sin. He’s watching you with the love of a Father. The Creator of the universe is thinking of you, right at this very moment.

And He only wants what’s best for you. He longs to guide you in what’s best for you, and He wants you to follow. Don’t resist His lead. Follow whole-heartedly, knowing He guides you in love. In fact, His love surrounds you, like a snuggly blanket when you are sad and lonely, like an impenetrable barrier when forces of evil come against you, and like a tender hand that carries you when you are weak.

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I don’t normally post twice in a day, but I think you’ll understand why I’ve made an exception. In order to hold back my “proud-momma” attitude, I think I’ll keep this post short and sweet. My daughter has always had a very tender heart for the school’s misfits. Her compassion has caused her pain on many occasions–caused her to be labeled, but even so, you’ll often see her approaching those kids no one else notices. Or perhaps the kids most everyone tries to avoid.

Coupled with her tender, compassionate heart is her desire for justice–her desire to see positive change. She often shares how frustrated she is when she sees others treat people unkindly–especially when the “snobs” are professing Christians. Well, last night after watching “To Save a Life,” she decided to do something about it. Here’s the first step she’s taking to try to initiate change. If you’ve got a teen, send them over. 

It’s called: Uncool and Beautiful.

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Yesterday I fought against discouragement–for no apparent reason. Except perhaps that I was over-tired. In fact, I’m starting to notice a pattern, and although I usually keep my “down days” to myself, I wondered if perhaps I wasn’t not alone. And I believe the Christian life is meant to be lived out loud so that we can learn, encourage, and strengthen one another. So, I’m sharing my discouragement with you. Aren’t you lucky?

Most days I’m pretty happy, but every once in a while when my energy level wears thin or my to-do-list  balloons–BAM!–discouragement hits me square in the nose. Not a fun feeling, but honestly, I should have seen it coming.

I’ve been on overdrive since June, and it appears I’ve finally hit the crash and burn stage. Certainly didn’t help matters that, after pushing myself a bit harder than I should have, I stayed up late reading. So, I woke up behind and tired. Not a good combination. Yep, I asked for a gloomy day.

I’m working on a tween devo project with another writer and just happened to be on the story of Elijah. Funny how God does that. Fighting against my own discouragement, I found the account in 1 Kings 19 very comforting! Although, unlike me, Elijah actually had a right to be discouraged! Well, kind of, minus the fact that his discouragement rode on the heels of some pretty amazing miracles. In chapter seventeen, God fed him through ravens. Then God used him to feed a widow’s family, then raise her son from the dead. In chapter eighteen, through Elijah, God made a mockery of the prophets of Baal and Asherah when flames consumed his water-drenched offering. Shortly thereafter, God sent rain, then gave Elijah special strength, allowing him to run ahead of King Ahab’s chariot.

But when we get to chapter nineteen, Elijah learns Jezebel wants to kill him. He fled and it wasn’t long before his energy drained. Spent and discouraged, he collapsed beneath a tree and begged God to take his life.

Now that’s discouraged.

But notice what God does in verses 5-9 (NIV)

5Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

   All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

 7 The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.

God fed him and gave Elijah time to rest. Then, do you notice what Elijah did? He went to the mountain of God–he spent time with God, to be strengthened and encouraged by His Creator.

So how’d I handle my burgeoning discouragement yesterday? I let God love it away. Instead of allowing discouragement to steal my joy, I 1) took time to rest, 2) took care of my physical needs by eating nourishing food 3) spent time with my Heavenly Father and 4) remembered all  the great things He has done.

And hopefully, the next time a wave of discouragement comes, before I allow the gloom to settle, I’ll step back, evaluate the situation and my state of mind, remembering Elijah and what God did to pull Elijah back on his feet.

I’m going to leave you with one of my favorite verses–one I hold tight to.

James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Draw near to God today and tuck this promise in your heart, knowing God is there, surrounding you in His unfailing love. He is inviting you in His throne room, to sit at His feet and to rest. To be refreshed and made new. To be loved unconditionally, completely.

What about you? How do you handle those moments of discouragement?

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I’ve heard people say religion is about control, and although I’ve always thought that was an absurd statement, perhaps it holds a nugget of truth. The more I learn about myself, God, and the Bible, I realize it’s not so much a question of control but instead, of who’s controlling you. Because there’s no neutral ground. A battle’s being waged and you’re on one side or the other.

According to the Bible, we’re either controlled by our sinful nature or God. If you’re controlled by God, He’ll lead you into goodness, joy, peace, patience, self-control–in reality, freedom. Freedom to rise above your circumstances, tapping into the joy bubbling within–a joy that’s unhindered by the day-to-day.

If you’re controlled by your sinful nature, you may think you’re calling the shots, but most often, you’re held captive by your emotions and your emotions are held captive by your circumstances. Chances are your days are dominated by anger, fear, moments of hopelessness and lack of fulfillment. That’s not freedom. That’s bondage of the worst kind–the kind of bondage that leads to destroyed relationships, isolation, and death.  Read more.

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Last night I finished one of the most powerful books I’ve read in quite some time. It was A River Rising by Athol Dickson. I rarely talk about the books I read on my blog, but this one is well worth mentioning. The author used the life of one of his characters to show readers what it truly meant to live the gospel message.

We share the gospel message quite often, but few of us (myself included) know how (or are willing to) live it out. I believe living out the gospel message means living like Jesus 24-7-365. We quote that a lot, don’t we? What would Jesus do? Be His hands and feet…but do we really get what that means? And just how far would those “feet of Jesus” take us?

One quote from the novel has stuck with me. On page 165, Hale Poser, the character that demonstrated through his actions what it meant to be a Christ follower, thought, “…he was not accustomed to thinking of himself as an exceptional man. Indeed, he was not accustomed to thinking of himself at all.  And with that realization, suddenly he knew why he had been chosen.”

This statement is quite true. Throughout the novel, Hale is focused on two things–the needs of others and showing them Christ.

It’s made me ask myself a most uncomfortable question:

How often do I think of myself? My comfort, my desires, my dreams, my plans?

And what would happen–what might God be able to do–if I lay it ALL aside?

Gonna ask you that question. Stop a moment and consider your plans for the day. Have you laid your day at God’s feet, asking Him to do as He will? Are you ready to truly be His hands and feet, regardless how inconvenient or time-consuming that may be?

And as you go about your day, be alert to all the “I” thoughts that wiggle into your thinking. Ask God to show you the extent selfishness has crept into your day, then, as you become alert to it, ask Him to help you flip it. When you think, “I’m hungry?” stop to consider those around you and change the question to, “Is my spouse hungry?” or “Lord, is there someone who’s hungry right now you’d like me to pray for?”

We are born with a sinful, selfish nature and are very good at looking out for ourselves. The challenge then is to train ourselves to see and focus on the needs of others.

Philippians 2:1-11

 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

 5In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

 6 Who, being in very nature God,
   did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
   by taking the very nature of a servant,
   being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
   he humbled himself
   by becoming obedient to death—
      even death on a cross!

 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
   and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
   in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
   to the glory of God the Father.

There’s plenty of people serving for their own glory. For name recognition, for increased prestige. But God’s looking for humble servants so in love with Him and His saving message, they’re willing to lay it all aside to be used how-so-ever God wills.

I challenge you to make the following song your heartfelt prayer this morning. Ask God to search the deepest recesses in your heart, doing whatever is necessary to remove whatever gets in His way, drawing you ever-closer to His good, pleasing, perfect will.

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As you probably know, our family was leveled by our recent trip to El Salvador–in a good way. We’ve known about orphans, and have felt compassion for them, but there’s something about living among them. Holding a hurting child in your arms makes it personal–puts a name and a face to the statistics. On our last night in El Salvador, my husband and I made a commitment to one another and to God–a commitment to not forget. A commitment to do what we can to create positive change. We refuse to allow the downward spiral of apathy strangle out the love God instilled in our hearts for these hurting children.

And in the meantime, God’s opened our eyes to the millions of other children living on the streets right now. Initially, we decided to keep our journey to ourselves…out of self-preservation, I’m sure, in case we fail. But as we’re trying to navigate our way toward what we believe God is calling us to do, finding little by way of direction, we realized…what if someone else wants to follow in our footsteps? Maybe the reason it’s so hard to find information is because everyone’s like us–afraid to tell others what God’s doing for fear they’ll fail, or hit a dead-end, or fizzle out.

So we decided to be candid about our journey. We’re not saying we’re going to do anything great. In fact, our goals and dreams may come to naught. But…perhaps in watching our journey you will be encouraged to press forward, even when every door appears to be closed or when common sense tells you to seek the predictable and secure.

Because here’s the thing–we were never intended to live in a vacuum. We need each other.

And, if we’re following whole-heartedly after God, there’s nothing to fear. Even failure becomes a glorious stepping stone, because if we “fail,” but do so following God, then we know our failure was God-ordained. Meaning, there was something we needed to learn, or a weakness that needed to be strengthened, or a sin that needed to be sliced out, through that failure.

So join us as we, along with a few members from our church, seek God’s guidance on how to deal with the enormous problem of global orphans.

Our journey began in a 500 foot El Salvadoran hotel room. It was our first mission trip. You may remember, I’m terrified of flying. Terrified. Prior to this trip, I hadn’t been on a plane in about 10 years. We’ve traveled all over the united states, by van. (I always joke that my husband’s an enabler, giving in to a twenty hour car ride rather than forcing his neurotic wife on a plane.)

The plane ride was rough, and at one point, the plane actually dropped. So it’s pitch black, we’re flying through a storm, and my stomach’s knotted to the point of nausea, then we drop. It felt like one of those roller coaster rides when your stomach leaps into your throat. I thought for sure we’d die. Yep, my imagination flew. I white-knuckled my seat’s armrests the rest of the flight. Then, we landed with quite a blam! (Not a crash bam, but a very rough landing, as if the ground caught our pilot by surprise.)  As I followed my husband and daughter down the aisle I wondered how I’d ever make it back home because I never, ever wanted to get on another plane. Told my husband that very thing. “I’m never doing this again! Once we get home, I’m never flying ever again!”

He laughed.

Then we got to the hotel room. We were exhausted. We’d left our house at 8:30 that morning and pulled into our hotel about 11, maybe 12. The hotel was not quite what we expected, and once again, I told my husband I was never coming back. Honestly, I wondered how I’d ever make it through the week. I’m sure God laughed, knowing the three-sixty He was about to bring me to.

Because by day three, Steve and I realized we HAD to come back.

Funny how God flips our hearts taking a selfish couple from, “I can’t do this,” to “Show me what you’d have me do. Lord, please love through me. I want to STAY!” in less than three days.

But that’s how God works. If you give Him access to your heart, He’ll rock your world. And hopefully, the world around you.