Pushing Fear Out of the Way

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

 

Many of us are gripped by fear.  This trick of satan has kept some of us from pursuing God-given dreams, opportunities and even relationships.  We shrink away, procrastinate or simply tremble at the thought of certain things.  Is there any fear lurking in your heart today?  Is there anything God is calling you to do, but because of fear you have turned your head or drowned out your Savior’s voice?  Our Father commands us to be strong and courageous.  We can look at our fear in the face with confidence, knowing that God is with us. Rejection, failure, hardships have no control over us because God is on our side.  What He has ordained for us, it is for us, therefore we can be like the Proverbs woman and  “. . .smile at the future. “ (Proverbs 31:25)  Ask God to reveal to you any fears you may have today.  Look at your fear in the face, take God by the hand and step into your bright future!

Joy in the Morning

"...Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."  Psalm 30:5

A long night can seem excruciating.  The darkness and quietness seems to last forever. Our mind will race to the worst scenarios or rehearse things that have happened to cause such excruciating pain. But there is something almost "magical" that happens when the dawn begins to break. We somehow feel a little more hope, a litte renewed.  The joy of a new morning.  "...His mercies are new every morning." Mornings are a powerful thing!

Are you laying ther in the night? A season in your life when darkness surrounds you and hope seems to be far away?  Your night may have crept upon you through an illness, marriage problems, financial woes, death of a loved one or disruption on your job. Whatever your "night" is - God knows, He's right there, watching, listening ... and preparing for your morning.  We serve a God of hope.

Therefore in our "nights" we can rest and sleep tight because we know that God is working on our "morning."  And joy comes in the morning  We can be confident of this.  There is no night without morning.  There is no darkness without light.  Hold on to hope during your night and be confident that your morning is on the way!  God promises . . .

 

See you in the "morning."

Lee

 

Strength in His Power

"Finally, be strong in the LORD and in his mighty power."  Ephesians 6:10

 

We can lean and depend on many things in this world.  Often we look to our spouse, friends, money, possessions or our jobs for security or for help.  Many times we simply look to ourselves, trusting in our self-sufficiency.  Although the world and magazines tell us to trust in ourselves, what a dangerous place to be for a Christian.  When we trust in ourselves, we put our faith in self and take God out of the picture.  And think of the burden of carrying the load by yourself!   But Praise God, we can take that responsibility off ourselves and whomever else we've given it to - and lay it at the feet of Jesus.  He alone is able to handle any and everything that comes our way.  We can simply rest in His mighty power.  Take the burden off yourself and walk in God's strength  today.

No Place Like Home

I've been traveling for the past week. I am definitely homesick and was longing to be in familiar surrroundings.

I'd forgotten how much I absolutely LOVE Atlanta. As the plane came closer to Atlanta, the pilot announced that we were 90 miles outside the city. I looked out the window and there was my love - my city, my home. Even from 90 miles away - I can feel the energy of the city. Even the sun was inviting me, calling me home. It seemed brighter and happier in the South.

Soon I could see downtown, Atlanta's skyline. I could see the houses lined up; all the trees and greenery; the infrastructure and expressways crossing over each other. I imagined the people driving around in their shiny cars going to some meeting to "make things happen," to dream with a business partner and friend; to close a deal; to encourage someone, to pray with someone. Yes, I see this in my city all the time. I feel regularly - people wanting more, dreaming and going for it.

Finally we landed it. As I stepped off the plane the Hotlanta heat and humidity hit me. I could feel my hair cry out in disappointment. But that's okay. I was home and even the humidity didn't put a damper on my excitement to be back in the city of dreams and energy.

My prayer is that all of you have a place like this. Life is so short. We should all love where we call home. If you don't, either make a move or make it a place of love.

Brokeness

As I've ministered to many women, I’ve heard a lot about brokenness and being broken. Although God would give me a word for my sisters in Christ, there was a part of me that could not quite relate to the feeling of brokeness. Yes - I'd been hurt, I've been frustrated and experienced different forms of tragedy. But until recently I don’t think I’ve ever experienced brokeness.

There was no specific incident, nor one tragic event. Instead, there were just small cracks, tiny dents in my life that continued to spread, grow and expand. I somehow convinced myself that I could handle the cracks. I was in control. We are never in control. Until I was at a point of brokenness. A broken heart, broken dreams, broken vision, broken spirit.


The pain is so similar to what a physical brokenness would be. You can feel yourself bleeding, emotions pouring out of every crack. Erupting. The blood keeps coming. I try to hide it – put bandaids over it, cover it. But somehow it slips through my fingers. My hands are covered with it – blood. Red. Remnants of my pain. Years of covering, hiding, dealing. I am reminded of Isaiah 61:1. Jesus says He has come to bind the brokenhearted. Ah! It makes so much sense now. I now see why I need Him to bind it. My bandaids, my hands, my tissue cannot stop the bleeding, cannot cover the cracks and dents. Only His bandages, His hands can cover, can heal. Can stop the bleeding


How do you heal a broken heart? How do you heal brokenness? How do you begin to put pieces back together again? I’m still in the process. But first, I know I have to stop the bleeding. I have to run to my Savior and allow Him to find the wounds, the cracks, the dents and put His bandages over them. To touch them. Examine them. Kiss them. Its so painful. Most of my wounds – although there, I don’t want to relive. I almost prefer for them to sit and fester. Just as a child doesn’t want the bandaid removed. But I know healing must come. In order to be free, to live abundantly in Him – I must move myself out of the way and let Him heal my brokenness.

He is Mine!

"The Lord is MY Shepherd..." Psalm 23:1

What a faithful and familiar scripture. It is recited at most funerals and read in church services many times a year. Many children memorize this scripture at a young age and carry it with them into adulthood.  But do we really understand the depth and power of these five words? 

As I spent time in prayer and meditation this morning, I lingered over this verse and just let it penetrate my heart. The temptation was to keep going, keep reading or even just recite the rest of the Psalm. 

But I stopped.

The Lord is MY Shepherd...

Looking around...who me?  The one with all the flaws, who keeps stumbling and stopping, who sometimes says stupid things and allows ugly feelings to creep into my heart? 

And the Lord whispers: "Yes...you."

Despite setbacks, failures, mistakes, He is still mine (and yours too!)  He knows where and how to lead me. He watches over me with the closest eyes.  He carries me when I'm weak.  He whispers in my ear and gives me rest when I need it.  He is My Shepherd.

I love that we serve a God that is so personal and loving.  He can touch the core of our being. He knows us so intimately.  Better than we know ourselves. It reminds me of the song Killing Me Softly by Roberta Flack.  There is a part of the song that says:  "...telling my whole life with His words." Yes.  He knows my whole life, the falls and flaws, yet He watches over me so closely and faithfully.

That is My Shepherd, seeing right through me, loving me and protecting me!  What a loving Shepherd.

Starting, Timing and those Darn Shoes...

It has been quite awhile since I’ve blogged. I’ve thought about it a million times, wondering where to begin, where to pick up, how to start again. And then I thought… “start where you are.”

Starting is rarely easy. We are often consumed with being perfect, saying just the right thing or making the right move. But sometimes, we just need to start right where we are, broken, confused, messed up and all. I think of the many, many (did I emphasize MANY) times I’ve been paralyzed by fear, doubt, insecurity (the list goes on) and I did nothing. But I am reminded that when we don’t know where to start or become paralyzed, God is never surprised nor are His hands ever tied. He knows us (and them) better than we do. He is forever at work.

With that, I can relax a little and...well, trust. There is no need for me to feel so obligated to get it right each time or have it all figured out. I don’t need to come up with the perfect plan. I just need to start. Put one foot in front of the other. He is in control, not me.

I think of my dear, sweet, cutie pie… my youngest son. He has so many new starts in his life lately. He recently started kindergarten, at which his lovely teacher told us that he is not fond of following or waiting for instructions. I sigh and inwardly laugh thinking of all the trouble he will have inheriting my “gene.” I very rarely read instructions and boy has that gotten me into a few tight spots. And now, his most recent start… learning to tie his shoes. He has no desire to learn how to tie his shoes. I was beginning to get a bit concerned. But then I thought… I am absolutely certain Trenton will not enter college without knowing how to tie his shoes. Somehow, somewhere along the way – I know he will get it. Would I love for him to experience it now, with the rest of his class? Yes! Would I love to see the excitement in his eyes when he finally does it on his own. Most certainly! But in the meantime, I can rest assured that he will get it. In his own way. In his own time. All I ask from my little pumpkin is to start.

And the same goes for you, dear one.

Wherever you are...just start.

You will get IT.
You will get through THIS.
You will endure THEM.
At just the right time…

Whatever starts, or restarts you are facing right now…trust in God’s Divine timing and plan. Our Redeemer is so faithful, perfect and loving. We so often forget just how loving He is; He is not surprised by where we are or who we are. Just stay steady. (Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58)

We are an imperfect, beautiful mess, in the middle of becoming all God intended us to be. (Philippians 1:6) And God has promised to see us through to the end. Surrender to God’s rhythm and timing.