W.W.J.D.?

What would Jesus do? I know, cliche, right? But, really. I look around sometimes and really ask myself, "What would Jesus do?" Like a young child with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, this one question causes a myriad of questions to flood my mind consuming my thoughts. "What would He do if He were right here right now? Who would He be talking to? What would He be talking about?" etc... You want to know what I think? You're reading this post so I'm left to assume that you do. I think sometimes He is looking at us and is heartbroken over the way we behave. Okay, I don't think sometimes, I think often we break His heart. And the reasons aren't because we are terrible sinners committing dastardly deeds, but because of our lack of concern for others. I believe Jesus Christ Himself is standing beside us. The Word says He is at our right side, never leaving us. His desire, with all His heart, is for us to reach out to others, to connect with one another.

Listen, I was standing in a looooong line tonight at camp. I was waiting for what seemed like an eternity for nothing more than a lousy drink of water from the concessions stand. A bit extreme and dramatic, perhaps, but if you had been me I'm confident you would have been feeling a tad extreme as well. Envy me, don't you? Well, ridiculously, during my one hour wait for a simple drink of water in the sweltering 100 degree heat, I just stood there looking all around me at the hundreds of self proclaimed Christians interacting with one another, or should I say not. I chose my words carefully when I said "self-proclaimed", the term was used purposefully. I'm sure you picked up on the tone when I typed it.

Here's the thing, what is a Christian? What does it mean to be a Christian? I'll tell you what 'ol Webster says a Christian is: 1. of, pertaining to, or derived from Jesus Christ or His teachings, 2. of, pertaining to, believing in, or belonging to the religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, 3. decent, respectable, 4. human, not brutal, humaine... You get the picture.

Now, I'll tell you what I believe the definition of Christain is. Simply put, to be like Christ.

I know, I'm asing a lot of questions. Unfortunately, this is how my mind works! Thoughts take root and bloom in my head. And, much like a dandelion, my blooming thoughts quickly turn into a glorious globe of wispy white seeds scattering with the wind and producing many more thoughts! I've learned to embace it.

Where was I? Oh right, Jesus and how He might feel. Okay, here's the thing. I am surrounded by kids this week. I am at camp. I love camp! I was filled with the Holy Ghost at camp when I was a kid. There's something about the atmosphere and expectancy that comes along with being at camp, it seems you're completely submerged in the power of God from the moment you step out of your vehicle. I just love it. Well, let me not rabbit trail again... as I was waiting in line tonight I really got to thinking to myself. And as I was thinking, I was looking around at the leaders and the kids. More specifically, I was especially interested in what our "rec crew" was doing with their free time. Let me describe to you what a "rec crew" is: a group of teenagers, with a few early 20s sprinkled in, thoughtfully put together with the sole purpose of leading our kids while they're at camp. In other words, leaders. I personally know several of the "rec crew" members. We have a ministry team that goes to various places doing VBSs, kid's crusades, special events, etc. Our team is composed of adults, teens and kids. The adults are close friends of ours. The kids are my own. The teens we've acquired here and there, by God's design. I will admit, I am severely disappointed in our teenagers. I watched tonight as they socialized with one another. They grouped together, as they typically do, and only hung out with each other. They didn't interact with any of the kids, adults, or other teenagers. I noticed they have effectively formed a tightly knit clique of elite position. So, here I am watching their behaviors. I'm a people watcher by nature, I can't help it. And, I'm an analyzer by nature as well, a thinker. You might be saying to yourself, "Amy, get a grip. They're teenagers! That's what teenagers do! They hang out, form cliques..." yeah, that's all true. But, these particular teens were put together to become a team purposed to lead. Too hard on them, I don't think so. Here's why.

What would Jesus have done tonight? What did He do when He walked the earth? Did He keep to the adults, the ones considered righteous? Did He hang out with only those who were like-minded? Did He only seek out those who were, what He might have considered to be, equals? The answers to these questions drive me to frustration with people today! I know what my Jesus would have done tonight. It is recorded that the disciples were much like our "rec crew". They cliqued up a bit as well. In fact, they were frustrated when children, God forbid, tried to spend time with Jesus. Not only were the disciples, the clique called followers of Christ, met with reproach for their attitudes, but Jesus welcomed and blessed the children. He even went so far as to tell the disciples that they should be just like them. Jesus sought out the needy, the poor, the sick, the young. He was delighted to be with them, ministering to each specific need. Jesus didn't just "roll" with His groupies, He reached out to all who were fortunate enough to cross His path.

Man! What is going on here? Knowing what we know of Jesus Himself, what does it mean to be a Christian? Really, what does that stupid cliche mean, "What would Jesus do?" I'll tell you what I think it means, get off your butt and reach out to those around you. Get outside of your own needs and desires and think about someone else for a change. Serve! Love! Be passionate about what Christ is passionate about! Which Christ-like traits are you exhibiting when you keep to your own and shun the young and needy? Self-righteousness is rampant. Egotistic fixations are out of control. Self. Self. Self. Christ was about anything but Himself. You might need to brace yourself for this one, but I might even go so far as to say that there are many believers but there are very few true Christians. Think about that for a moment. Ponder it. Let it marinate a bit.

What does it mean to be a Christian? What would Jesus do? If you consistently do the opposite, or you consistently serve yourself and your own desires, are you then considered to be a Christian? Or just a believer? What is the difference between a Christian and a believer?

Believer: You know what Christ has done for you. You accept Him. You even truly love Him. You are a faithful church attendee, maybe. Sure, you probably pray. You serve in your church on Sunday, or during church events. But, does your life reflect true Christ-likeness? Who do you talk to about Christ on a daily basis? Who do you affect, or infect, to the glory of God. When you're in public, does the question 'I wonder how many people around me know Christ' ever cross your mind? Think about all that Christ was and is. His heart is to seek and to save that which is lost. He is the ultimate missionary. The evangelist extraordinare! Christ rocked this world! He is passionate about people, compassionate towards people, and desires above all else to reach out to anyone and everyone who might hear and be saved! He didn't just snobbishly stick to His small group. He reached out! This is Jesus Christ.

If we call ourselves Christians, shouldn't we be described much the same way?

The Recliner: Part 1

Somehow, if you manage to look closely enough, there will invariably be a unique opportunity for you to be used in an amaing way for God's glory.

I was at a get-together at the church a few months ago. The Women's Ministries at our church meets once a month and does a potluck dinner. We usually close every meeting with prayer. Hesitantly, right before we were about to begin to pray, a lady spoke up with a very specific and heartbreaking request. She had been living with her daughter, her daughter's two small chldren and her sister's family in a small trailer. With tears filling her eyes and streaming down her cheeks, she began to share with us the details surrounding her decidsion to move out of the trailer they all shared. I won't go into details here, but the environment she was living in was unhealthy for all parties involved. Not violent or threatening, but just straining on the relationships.

She didn't say how long she had been on her own, but told us she had gotten her own apartment. She had been living there for a while now, and didn't have a single piece of furniture. Not a bed, sofa, kitchen table or chairs, living room table or lamp... she had nothing. She seemed to be strong and confident as she revealed how she had been sleeping on the floor all this time with nothing more than a sleeping bag and a pillow. Amazing. She talked about God's goodness and provision. She was certain God had a plan and a way to provide for all her needs, despite her current condition. She assured us that she didn't know how God was going to do it, but she knew He would take care of her. I amired her strength and focus. She wasn't fixed on the problem, she had her gaze fixed on the One who could solve it!

She needed furniture. Guess what? I had furniture, AND just the pieces she needed for her home. Imagine that. I told her that I had a mattress in my garage and bed frame, queen sized. I had a corner tv cabinet and 19" tv upstairs in my office we didn't need. I had a couch that was at my husband's sister's house, just waiting on us to pick it up for Madisyn's room. I had a coffee table in my downstairs living room that a friend had just given us because they got new. She was very excited! I went home that night and began to make a list of the items we were to take to her house. Something hit me while I was making that list, I had an extra recliner... here's where it gets interesting.

This extra recliner was my Memaw's. She died about 7 years ago when I was pregnant with my son, she never got to meet him. She was very dear to me and the reclinder was one of the few things I got that was hers when she died. I also got her Bible. I called it "extra", because I already had a reclinder in my living room when I came to acquire hers. I moved my recliner to a friend's house to store and put my Memaw's recliner in my living room. I didn't care that it didn't match anything, it was hers and it was one of her favorite things. That made it special to me.

To be honest the thought of giving up my Memaw's recliner was at first quickly dismissed. I couldn't see how I could ever give up something so special to me. I struggled with the idea of giving it up! Seriously? Oh, but it totally began to nag me... I couldn't shake the thought that I needed to also give up that recliner. What? It's not good enough that I would give so many other things? I had a difficult time with this idea! I felt sad to give it up, it was special to me! How could God ask me to give something so special to me to somebody else? I dunno, but the more I thought about it, the more I knew I had to give this lady my Memaw's favorite chair.

After some struggle and thought and much to my husband's surprise, I included it in the lot of items to go. After it was loaded up, I was still going back and forth on whether I could really go through with giving it up or not. I had a sick feeling in my stomach over it, but that nagging feeling in my heart wouldn't let me change my mind.

To Be Cont'd...

Mirror

On my way to work this morning a song came on the radio that really struck me. It'll be my anthem for a while... So often we define who we are by what we see and do. We must remember the only thing that defines us is what God says about us. It doesn't even matter how we define ourselves, often times we aren't able to see our own picture clearly. We must continue to look to God for who we are, for we are a reflection of Him and His love! He calls us friend and thinks we are wonderful! Beautiful! Worth more than the world's weight in treasure...


Mirror, Mirror on the wall, Have I got it?
'Cause Mirror you've always told me who I am
I'm finding it's not easy to be perfect
So sorry you won't define me
Sorry you don't own me

Who are you to tell me
That I'm less than what I should be?
Who are you? Who are you?
I don't need to listen
To the list of things I should do
I won't try, I won't try

Mirror I am seeing a new reflection
I'm looking into the eyes
of He who made me
And to Him I have beauty beyond compare
I know He defines me (yeah)

Who are you to tell me
that I'm less than what I should be
Who are you? Who are you? (yeah)
I don't need to listen
To the list of things I should do
I won't try, NO, I won't try

YOU DON'T DEFINE ME (X4)

Who are you to tell me
That I'm less that what I should be
Who are you?
Who are you?

Where'd that Wall come from?

Where'd that wall come from?

It's finally here! It's time for me to take our yearly vacation! The beach! The sun! No email, no work, no cell phone, no chores list... Momentum building, vacation nearing, excitement peaking off the charts! So much to do before I go, yet with vacation right around the corner I feel as though I can conquer the world! Momentum gradually builds as I near our Monday morning departure time. FREEDOM on the horizon! Nothing but the waves, sand and sun for me this week! Oh, so excited! So happy!

And we're off... nothing remains between me and my beach but the open road now. My trek towards vacationing bliss has begun! I can't wait! Beaches as far as the eye can see! Water that goes on and on until it meets the horizon! And a cool breeze blowing as my hair gently tickles my face... ah, vacation!

There is no disappointment when I get there. Just as I thought, I had visitors patiently awaiting my arrival. Their names were rest, relaxation, sunshine and peace. Do I really have to go home on Friday? Seriously? Oh, but let's not think about that now... Enjoy! Soak in the peace! Soak in the sunshine! Get a great looking tan!

The sunrise? Beautiful. Each morning a brand new tapestry for me to behold! Awesome! God is incredible, so good.

Each dusk, just as breathtaking. The red and orange shades of color that stretched across the sky each night, spectacular!

Oh! And the light show each night! I watched the stars as they came out one by one each night as though taking turns introducing themselves to their captive audience. Then, zoom! Brilliant streaks of light zipping across the sky! A meteor shower! Fantastic! Laying beheath the stars at night on a bed of soft white sand, vacation.

Momentum built up, vacation coming to an end, excitement off the charts! Going along... Soaring with the heights.... Wait a second... What's this? ...... SPLAT! Where'd that wall come from? Good to be home?

PERsistent or CONsistent

I do not enjoy it when my kids nag me. When they want something they tend to morph themselves into something that I can't stand to be around, something troll-ish. They drop their shoulders to a hunch, their bottom lip droops down a bit, their voices become shrill and annoying, their short term memory lapses, and then clinginess and a look of constipation becomes the icing on the cake. Oh, and once the physical transformation is complete, their mouths gape open and a torrent of exasperating requests overcome their targeted audience (me). It's kinda like when a ball of fire rages down from the heavens to consume the earth. Extreme. They are so intense and overwhelming when they get their minds set on something. All that exists at that point in their lives is the object of their affection, how much they want it, and what they've got to do to get it. They're willing to kick and scream and cause a huge scene... they're unashamed and willing to do just about anything to get what they want. Determined. Focused. Relentless. Persistent...

There's a parable in Luke Chapter 18 that tells of a persistent widow. Jesus uses this illustration to show us that we should never give up in prayer. Notice where it says, "He will see that they get justice, and quickly... those who cry out to him day and night". This excerpt is referring to the believers who persist in prayer.

Look at the passage:

1. Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2. He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' 4. For some time he refused. But finally said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5. yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'" 6. And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8. I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

First, notice in this passage that the topic of persistence in prayer is coupled with a question of faith. Will the Son of Man find people of faith left on the earth when He returns? I believe persistent prayer, coupled with faith, moves the hand of God.

Most of us consider ourselves as persistent prayers. In fact, some might even become offended at the question of whether they are persistent or not! And with the majority, you might be inclined to answer that question a bit too quickly as well.When deeming oneself as a persistent prayer; however, dare I suggest the word consistent might better apply? There is a difference between consistent and persistent prayer!

So, how is praying consistently different from praying persistently? You should most definitely 'consistently persist' in prayer, but it isn't enough to be consistent alone. Although, there is something to be said for being consistent, because it means you're habitual, constant, fixed, uniform and regular when you actually decide on what you're going to do. You can habitually, consistently pray only once a week or during Sunday church or even once a day for 10 minutes. Is that the same as being persistent in prayer? I think not. To persist is to press-on in spite of opposition, obstacles, discouragement, and time constraints. Oh, and might I add to press-on unrelentingly, continuing in the face of adversity or set-back... to persist!

So often we get into the habit (become consistent) of prayer without expectation and we gradually lose emotion for what we're asking for. We keep on praying, but we lose heart. We aren't desperate at all for God to do something in our lives, as the widow was of the judge. We might have been at first, but that desperation turns to discouragement and despair after a while. Why do you think the Bible would use the word persist if we weren't going to have to (at times) persist? Admit it, if you were desperate for something, you'd do anything! I know I've been desperate before and in those rare occasions; I've not rested until I've seen it through to the resolution!

To those who are persistently praying, they are convinced they're reaching the heart of God and are certain He will answer if they only persevere. Like my kids, they ask and ask and ask... they know that I am hearing them and they hold on to the hope that I will move on their behalf. They press in. How often have you prayed, cried out to God, and exhausted all of your energy until you're laid out on the floor before Him? How many times have you prayed until you've seen God move? I'll tell you something, if you're praying at the alter for a miracle and you're not seeing it happen... keep on praying! Daniel prayed for three weeks before the angel of the Lord appeared to him! Daniel persisted! God moved.

Be encouraged in this, He hears y our cries. He is looking for those who will persist. He is pleased with those who cry out in faith and believe in Him for what they're persisting for. Persistence with faith... Persistence with faith... Show some determination, grab hold of the horns of the alter and don't let go until you hear from God. Take hold of what you ask for! He only knows how to give good gifts to His children. He pleases to perform miracles in our lives. It is His pleasure to heal! It is His desire to prosper you! No doubt.

Be like the persistent widow, or like a child, go to the Father with your requests! Be consistent and steadfast in your pleas. He hears you and His heart is moved by you when you persist through adversity. Keep on praying, even when you're tired and can't seem to muster the energy to make out another word. He will prove faithful. He can't help but to be anything else...

Bug Juice

Oh, wow. Overwhelmed by the past day's events, I have been struggling all morning to find truth. I hate that! I do so well for so long then, slam! I find myself feeling like I've been splattered all over the front of a semi truck like a bug. I am bug juice. It's funny, that's what we call my son from time to time. He was coined 'bug juice' after he repeatedly, at full speed, ran himself into a wall and then slid down it like a squashed bug to his baby sister's delight. He loves his baby sister. More than that, he loves being the center of attention. It's really quite entertaining when he does it on one of the glass walls inside the Chic-fil-a play area. You get the full affect, the cheek pressed up against the wall and everything! Splat! Then, smeeeear... Well, I find myself feeling like bug juice today, and not for entertainment's sake.

I love my friend, Judy. She's always a wealth of knowledge and insight for me when I'm in the midst of one of these 'moments'. Judy rarely spews her thoughts and opinions all over me like a motion sick child with a belly full of carnival food on the tilt-o-whirl. Which, might I add, is a rare quality in a friend! That's why I call her. She gives me truth. God's truth, which really is the only kind there is. What we perceive to be truth isn't really truth. Take for example the fact that Pluto was once a planet. That was the truth five short years ago, today not so much. Man's truths change. God's truths do not change. What is true is true when dealing with God. Oh, a breath of fresh air to my lie polluted mind! My mind has been choking and gasping all morning in the thickness of deceit as it desperately struggles to breathe! Me? Dramatic? Never.

What is spiritual warfare? Is it merely the fight contained within one's mind? Is it the struggle between good and evil which comes from your flesh combating your spirit for control over your body? Okay, that's Bible! But, what about any kind of outside sources? Do you believe there to be demons assigned to people just as angels are? Is that far fetched? From what I know of Satan, he seeks to try to imitate God in all things, the ultimate phony. So then, why would the idea that he assigns his 'fallen angels' to people just as God does be so ridiculous? Of course, his associates are not here to be messengers, protectors or guides as God's are. Quite the opposite, actually. Think about the Trinity. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit make up what we know as the Trinity. Believe it or not, Satan has his own "counterfeit" trinity in the beast, the false prophet and the anti-christ. That's just one example of how Satan tries to be like God. What a poser.

I know the struggles I have! I also know that once I take authority over my thoughts and attitudes I have won the battle! I'm curious where these thoughts come from, or where they can come from. I believe the ones who are on the front lines in the Lord's army are known to Satan. I believe, just like Job, Satan is very much interested in bringing the righteous down. Are you on Satan's radar? You might be. Am I on Satan's radar? I hope so! I'd like to think that through my life multitudes will come to know Christ. Maybe not right now and maybe not in the near future, but throughout my lifetime I'd like to think that I will have affected multitudes in building the Kingdom of God. I believe those who are dead set on living for God are very much on Satan's radar and he sends his minions to try to derail them. That's what he did with Job! Actually, in this instance Satan decided to deal with Job himself.

Make no mistake, there is a real battle going on all around us that we cannot see. Also, there is a battle going on inside of us that we cannot see. At times we can see the inner struggle for what it is, and at other times we are completely blinded. Do you remember the Tom and Jerry cartoons with the little angels and devils? Tom, or Jerry, would need to make a good decision. So, an angel would appear on one shoulder and a devil on the other. The two characters would argue with one another and try to persuade Tom. I'm not saying we have little devils on our shoulders telling us what to do, not at all. I am convinced, however, we can have demons all around us trying to influence us to their fiendish pleasure. Absolutely!

I never want to give Satan or his demons an opportunity to laugh at me from the flat of my back. Be on guard. The struggle is real whether its source is from outside or within. The enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy you and those you hold dear. There aren't any exceptions or age limitatioins, he will destroy all he can. My current state of juicy-ness is proof that he's out there at work to bring us to our breaking points. Is he out there personally? I don't think so, there's only one of him and he can't be everywhere at once! But, I do believe he has special plans of wickedness in store for those who love the Lord. He doesn't want us to endure...

I'm going to make an attempt at peeling myself off the truck and going to try to get some work done today.

Signed,
Bug Juice

Freedom.

What does the word freedom truly mean to you? I know when I think about freedom my mind begins to drift. As I try to seriously think about it, I can't help but to recall the words of a famous movie actor... "FREEEEEEDOM!" Yeah, Braveheart. I know I'm silly. My thoughts serve as a continuous reminder. You should stop by some time, it's a non-stop thrill ride! Sometimes it's such a struggle to be serious!

Anyhow, I sat at my desk yesterday pondering freedom. More specifically, I was thinking about how to relay to my church kids what freedom means. How can they, being that they are just children, relate? I began to search the Word. When stumped with a life question, I tend to resort to what Scripture says. So, in asking myself what it means to be free I think John puts it best. "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Wow!

With freedom defined, I had to decide upon a craft. I quickly, with the help of google, came up with a craft: we'll make fans! You know the type: flat, hard paper at one end and a stick at the other used to fan your face when you're hot. I went to the store and got cardstock, paint stirrer sticks, stickers and markers to decorate. These fans are supposed to serve a couple of purposes. Of course they'll keep us cool in the hot sun, but more than that, when we use them they are going to remind each us of what freedom is. AND, they are to serve as a tool in witnessing about our freedom to others. Here's how: The colors used in our culture to represent freedom and liberty are: red, white and blue. Well, after some thought, and obvious help from the Holy Spirit because I'm not that clever, I really felt like these colors could appropriately represent our spiritual freedom as well. Let me explain.

I'll start with blue. Blue can represent the state of our former selves broken, hurt and bruised. We needed healing and care, who doesn't? We ache and long to be made whole. Blue is an ideal color to represent our sorrow, our injuries, our bruises. Remember that old Elvis Presley song, "Blue Christmas"? "...I'll be so "blue" just thinkin' about you..." Well, looks like I'm not the first to use the color blue to describe heartache.

But, there's Red! I love the Red! Red represents the blood of Jesus Christ. The blood of Christ covers ALL... aches, pains, injuries, sins, ALL brokenness! Amen? When you're blue, all you've gotta do is run into the arms of the One who loves you. His love and grace are more than enough to cover a multitude of sin and heartache.
 

Then, you've got the color white. Oh, the joy of being made whole again! The newness that fills your entire being when you accept Christ into your heart and make the shadow of the Most High your dwelling place, joy! Your life is a clean slate ready for you to make your first mark. We are made new creations in Christ, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" Hallelujah! White, we are forgiven of sin and made white as snow.
 

Freedom comes when we ask Jesus Christ to come be a part of our lives. Once we ask Him for forgiveness and to give us a clean slate, we are free. The freedom that comes from knowing Him will truly set your heart free, especially knowing the eternal aspect. As we celebrate the July 4th weekend, I'd like to encourge you to remember the freedom that we received as a gift from God. Share your freedom with others and you will help give the greatest gift that can be given.

Okay, so that was my thought for our Wednesday night craft. Unfortunately, it was just me and my kiddos in class last night. You know what though, I was able to do the craft with my kids and follow up after we got home. It was a great opportunity to really delve into what it means to be free. We'll be fanning our faces with our new "freedom fans" this weekend and ready to let everyone know what we think about our freedom.