Time To Clean That Fish Bowl!

I was trying to clean my beta fish today. If you know anything about Beta fish, they are very resilient. I am amazed at how long this little fishy has lived. I have to admit (please don't call the SPCA on me) there have been times when we went out of town and no one fed or checked on fishy.Every time we would get home I would just pray he would be alive so I could feed him!
I was noticing today as I changed his extremely dirty little bowl his fear to get scooped up. Now, I tried to imagine if it was me, and I was going about my day like every other day and a big scooper just appeared in my house. I might be a little freaked out. So I stuck his greenish muddled bowl next to the bigger, cleaner bowl. He still wouldn't let me scoop him! Doesn't he see I only have the best intentions for him? Doesn't he realize that I have something better for him?!
And so it is with us. We are Gods kids. He has something better for us. He wants us to allow Him to scoop us up and put us in a better place, but fear holds us back. We are so plagued by..what if it doesn't work out, what if I don't like change..what if..what if... And we choose to live in our safe (although sometimes dirty) little world.
I want to challenge you today: Next time you find yourself fearing that change that is about to take place, the unknown- Remind yourself of this: If it doesn't work out, you are a better person for trying and if it does...aren't you glad?!

For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13)
ps. Fishy is much happier now in his big clean bowl!

Even If No One's Watching

I went for a run this morning before it got too hot. I know this might sound silly to some, but when I'm running- whether it's on the track at the gym or outside, I imagine that the people are watching me. It's like they're my audience and I don't want to let them down. Whenever I think of stopping I say to myself, must keep going. This morning was an unusually quiet morning. Not too much traffic, the sidewalks were quiet. I heard the Lord in His still small voice as He spoke to my heart. Would you do it even if no one was watching? Well of course Lord! It's You and me, and together we can do anything! Then I heard it again. Would you serve me even if no one was watching. Would you continue to pray to me even if you didn't hear anything. Even in the dry times. Would you still love and live for Me? If you weren't in the limelight and no one knew who you were, would you still live for Me? If no one ever read your blogs, and your gifts stopped for a time, would you still love Me?

Lord, I say today- even if no one was watching, my life is yours.

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

The Gift Of Grace

Have you ever noticed, as women, how easily it is to judge other women? "Well, if she would just discipline her kid!" "If she was just home more, if she would just get out more.." "Why does she over schedule her kids so much?" "She spends way too much time working." "Her house is always a mess"....
We all do it. We don't even realize it. But the other side of the coin is just as painful. As moms, if we were truly honest to ourselves, we mess up...a lot. We really don't need anyone to point it out. We (for the most part) are fully aware of our inadequacies.
If I might be so bold as to say, what if we gave the gift of grace today? What if we believed the best in others and we were not so quick to judge?
I hate it when a see a mom being so flustered and rushed, being quick and to the point with others. And I think to myself, "Well, you should have planned better and maybe gotten up earlier!" Until that mom is me. Ouch. Or what about when I see a mom appease a child with a toy or a treat to keep them quiet in the store. Our thoughts might be, "Get a backbone lady!" Until it is us in the store doing just the same. Grace......
It's very easy to give a quick 30 second judgment about a mom. Especially those moms that seem really hard or cold. We think to ourselves, "Wow, they must really think they have it all together!"
What if we had a paradigm shift in our thinking? You know, changing the way we view others and think about them? You see, until we've walked in some one elses shoes, we'll never really know, will we? We'll never know why people do the things they do. We'll never know if someones husband has been unfaithful or walked out on them. We'll never know if that girl who seems to have it all together is so lonely and hungry for friendship. We'll never know if that lady who just sped past us on expressway wishes she could just drive off a cliff because she just lost a child. What about the one with the wild children in Target? And we think she should just skip Target altogether! It's probably not easy for that woman to face Target either. You just might come to find out she's a single mom who is doing the best that she can.
Today, I ask you- as a mom and a woman that is doing the best that I can- Can we offer the gift of grace today?
Instead of being quick to judge, gossiping, or tearing each other down, what if we could offer understanding and unconditional love? Wow, now that just might give Jesus something to work with. Even if, in our own eyes, they don't deserve it. I am so glad I don't get what I deserve! How many times has Jesus given us something because we deserved it? Do we have to earn a His love first? No.
You see, Jesus believes the best in us. Even when we don't see it in ourselves. What kind of world would this be if we, as women, would offer this gift of grace to one another? The gift of a smile, the gift of acceptance. And then freely receive it from others?
Instead of eating our own, how about restore, nurture, and love? Go ahead, give that gift of grace freely, and then people will know that you are truly His.

New American Standard Bible (©1995) Psalms 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

James 4:6 (New International Version)

⁶But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."^a]">[a]

Workin the Temple- Idolatry or Worship?

Growing up in a very dysfunctional home- I did nothing to glorify God. Had not heard of Him. Obviously, did not know Him. I definitely didn't do anything to glorify God with my body. In those younger years of my life, my body was nothing more than a tool. A tool to lure and control. To give me power or remain powerless.
As I walk this crazy, fun, sometimes chaotic life with Jesus, I am truly wanting to glorify Him with all I say and do. 1 Cor. 6:19-20 ¹⁹Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
I have to tell you, I have always enjoyed working out. My dad got me my first weight bench when I was 16 years old. And I use to run in High School. Whenever things got too much at home, I felt like I could run a million miles. And fast too! But the weight of the world was too much to bear, and having a mom who did not believe in me took it's toll. I did not pursue anything more and stopped running.
Then, I got married and had children. Three of them. And working out was no longer a priority in my life. It just didn't seem to fit anywhere. But now, it seems as though I am in a new faze in my life. My kids are getting bigger, and two are in school.
I have been exercising regularly for a few years now and it's just become a habit. I am not one of those super buff people with bulging muscles. No, I am a regular mom just like you. I, like most of you, have my good weeks and I have my not so good weeks.
So my question to you is, can you workout without making it similar to 'idol' worship? What do I mean? Without making it a priority over the Lord. Do I workout more than I spend time with the Lord? I always have to keep this in check. The good news is that if I ever get off balance, the Lord is gracious, and quick to bring me back to Him. He knows that I know that I can't make it without Him. I can't do anything good apart from Him. He is my everything, my confidence, my words..my everything.
At the beginning of this year, the Lord showed me that this was a year of dreams. But not just dreaming those dreams, but some of those dreams becoming a reality. Already, He has showed me how great He is. I was able to speak at the youth group for the first time in many years, I lead a Lisa Bevere Bible Study and now I have signed up for my first triathlon. All of these have been a faith walk with Him. A trust in Him. Who He is and what He says He will do.
Is it okay to pray for great workouts and runs? Absolutely! Is it okay to incorporate my workout as a worship unto the Lord. I think so. When I run and I can also be praying for people, listening to uplifting songs.
See, for too many years this body was not giving any glory the the Lord. I have decided that all I do, I will do not unto a man- but unto the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to take care of this temple, because it's not just mine anymore. Gods Holy Spirit resides within me. And I definitely want to have the strength and energy to play with my kids and someday- my grandkids! I want to take care of this body and treat it right. I plan on being around for a long time and truly enjoying this journey!
If I'm running and start to think I can't- That's when I give the Lord all the glory, because I know that through me, He can!! And on August 2nd , when I cross over that finish line, to Him be ALL the glory!!! Amen!
Today, after you've exercised those spiritual muscles, why not give those physical muscles a try too! :)

Is. 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

---

Colossians 3:23 (New International Version)

²³Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men

Reading God's Word- A Lost Art

I was 20 years old when I first got saved. Living on my own in Palm Springs, CA. Before giving my life over to Jesus, I had lived a very fast life. I had tried most everything out there to make me happy and give me purpose. Yet, before Christ, I was very empty on the inside.
I remember my first year as a Christian. I would set the alarm for like 5am, make a big pot of coffee and just read Gods Word for hours. I devoured it. I remember sitting by the swimming pool in the summer and having my Bible with me, just reading and soaking up God's Word. See, there was change- big change, happening in my life. And much of that change was because of God's Word. "The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12.)
See, after I gave my life to Jesus, my mind needed lots of renewing! "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)
Okay, so fast forward. Fifteen years have passed- Bible college in Texas, got married and 3 kids and 1 dog later. I find myself going back to the basics. I find myself hungry for more of Jesus. I want more- more intimacy, more of His presence. To know Him even more. And the cool thing is, is that He desires to meet with us even more than our desire to meet with Him.

What's a great way to grow in our walk with Him:
1. Read His Word
2. Start to memorize and meditate on scriptures that apply to your life and jump out at you
3. Pray scriptures over yourself and loved ones

Some simple things I have done to help:

• I bought the cutest little journal from Micheals and I found it in the $1.00 bin! I call it my 'scripture only' journal and write my favorite scriptures and one's I'm wanting to memorize. I keep it in my purse and even if I'm just sitting while I'm waiting to pick the kids up from school, I can easily flip it open to meditate over a scripture. I try and add to it daily.
  
• 1 Year Bible. Some people don't know where to start, or what book in the Bible tot read next. Or they just totally skip the Old Testament and read the New Testament only. I love the 1 year Bibles because I get in my Old Testament and New Testament and Proverbs and Psalms! And most of these Bibles go by date, so it helps you stay on track .

• Before I read I will say a prayer and ask the Lord to open my eyes and give me revelation and speak to me through His Word.

Results?
A renewed mind, you can know God more intimately, power that comes from knowing His Word, and a changed life! Pretty good results, huh?! And if that's not enough, sometimes the Lord will give me a scripture for someone else. And often times I will get a Word that I really needed to hear that ministers to me right where I'm at.

Matthew 24:35 (NIV) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Colossians 3:16 (NIV) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.

Deuteronomy 11:18a (NIV) Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds

Gods Word is powerful and life changing!

Enjoy the journey!

Heart Clutter

I've been cleaning stuff out lately. Purging things out of my life that are just taking up unnecessary space. If we have too much clutter in our life it actually takes away from our life instead of adding to it. And it's not the big items- Like I have 14 couches or 8 beds.No. It's the little things. The more I get rid of, the more free I become. Papers, clothes I don't wear anymore, extra toys, games, etc.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Laying aside the weights that easily entangle me....
How many of us can say I've got the real big sins like, "I just can't stop robbing banks or I keep stealing cars, or..well, you get the picture. God showed me that we all have 'some' clutter in our hearts. And that we need to go through and start asking Gods help to 'purge' some things.
If we want to do great things for God, if we are desiring to hear His voice, if we want Him to use us, then we've got to get real honest. What is the heart clutter that is holding you back from being all that God has called you to be?
Have you ever watched a show from TLC's Clean Sweep or a special on hoarders? These are people who keep everything. It just started with a little clutter. Really, at first, no one even saw a problem. These people just continued to function (or somewhat function). But then, they collected more and more clutter without doing an evaluation on what they were taking in. And pretty soon they couldn't function anymore.
Today I'm asking that God does an evaluation of the clutter in your heart. It's time to take inventory.
Let me just tell you how good it feels to go through my house room by room and get rid of things that I really don't need. It feels like my burden is lifted, my load is lighter. I only want to try and keep things around that contribute to the life that I want to live.
Does that mean everything is perfect now? No. I'll be cleaning out the clutter for as long as I live! Why? Because my life is always changing. And so it goes with our hearts. There might be some clutter that Gods dealing with that we just need to get rid of. But it does not stop there. We need to daily ask God to take inventory.
Psalm 19:12-14
12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don't let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Let this be the beginning of your Spring Cleaning! :}