733 - Don't you give up or give in!

Dear Father - I know the feeling of wanting to give up or wanting to give in to the hardships of ministry or really the hardships of working with people in ministry.  I am currently not there, but I certainly have been there.  I have been the one that has been hurt, but I have also been the one to do the hurting at times.  Either way, actually, it is painful and absolutely no fun!!  

Today I was looking for another bit of scripture, but i think the Lord had me land here for a reason or maybe for whomever is reading.  

Ps. 34:14 "Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."  

Let me explain what i discovered first and then He will apply it to our lives.  This "turn" is to turn off or depart.  "Evil" is exactly what you would think evil or wicked thoughts or actions.  The word "do" means to do, make, accomplish, but has an ethical obligation.  I like the word "good" as it means excellent, fruitful, kind, precious, correct, or righteous.  And i think my favorite is the word "peace" meaning sense of well being internal or external or the absence of strife.  

When working in the ministry or even in a church with others - they happen to be just like you and I - imperfect.  Because we are imperfect we can do things that hurt each other in incredible ways and with no rhyme or reason.  I think the worse case is when we do things or things are done to us with much rhyme and reason.  Bottom line though, I am responsible for ME!  

This verse reminds me that I have to do my part and can not worry so much about the rest.  Even though "the rest" affects me, I have to do what I am responsible for and make sure that I am at peace with Him.  When I am at peace with Him, even when strife and problems do not dissipate,  I can rest knowing He will take care of the peace with others - that is not my deal!  

So what IS my responsibility???  I must take a serious look at my life and see what kind of evil has crept in and taken hold of me.  I must examine my mind and actions.   I have to look at my motives and all the actions that follow.  I have to look at my intentions and my expectations.  Once i have a good picture of what may be going on or not going on - the evil part, I must depart, I must leave, I must "turn" from it.  The lexical aide recommended that we "turn off".  Turn off desires, feelings, thoughts, and certainly actions of any evil.  

 

Once that evil is nipped in the bud what is next?  First of all I think it is important to notice that there is not just a don't do....., but there is a then do!  Walking the faith is not just a "don't do" kind of life.  Walking the faith is a then do most of the time and we find that here!  We not only turn from evil, but then we must "and do good".  We are to do those things that are good, excellent, fruitful, kind, precious, correct, or even righteous.  These that we are doing is not always easy.  We are to do those things, even the ones that we have an ethical obligation to.  Many times in walking the faith it is those things, the ethical obligation things, that will not make sense to anyone, maybe even yourself.  Being kind to those that have just crushed you.  Doing good to those that just ripped your head off.  Still working with excellence in a place that evil abounds.  Walking in righteousness when no one else sees or will ever notice.  

The bottom line is the kicker - "seek peace and pursue it".  I thought peace was just something that happens and we enjoy it - nope!  We see here and I know the Father is imploring my friends hurting today that peace is one thing we have to seek like a hidden treasure and pursue it like a momma looking for her lost child!  It will not be easy.  It will not be without tears.  It will not be without ups and downs, but we can not give up!!  We can not give in!!  

Friends, I am not sure who this is for other than my one friend going through the ringer!  I have been there! And it was not that long ago!  We can not give up and we can not give in.  We may have to change some things, but never abandon the Faith!!  That would be too easy!  Check out verses 15 - 17.  His eyes are on you and His ears are attentive!  He hears and delivers.  He is close to the broken-hearted!!  Claim these verses my friends!!  I know I am!!  

Oh Lord - thank you for this Word this morning!  Thank you for this beautiful day.  Thank you for the plans ahead.  I am excited to see what you have planned for today!!  You are great and greatly to be praised!!!  I believe and trust!!  I want to see Your glory!!  Amen!  

732 - We interrupt the regularly scheduled program

Hello Friends!!  

I just realized that I totally forgot Whole Heart Faith yesterday.  I tell you what, when I miss one regular day in my week all seems to go haywire!  If you will let me explain you might feel a tad bit more understanding and then we can go from there!  ha!

1) Thank you all for praying for my dad and for asking again and again how he is doing thus far.  Your concern and genuine interest sure can make a heart rest easier when your rock is going under the knife and not feeling so well!  He is doing so much better and just about all recuperated!!  He is very, very healthy and in shape for his age, my momma too.  As so as he can he will begin training again along with my mom for the next big Senior Olympic Basketball tournament.  I think this next one will take them to Australia - yes, they are beyond good and talented!!  

2) Resolution Conference - things are still going well for the planning and execution on that conference coming on Sept. 26 to Marion Civic Center.  I am so very excited, but getting a bit of fear about me as well.  I need to stand more on the One that called me to this mission instead of doubting that people will not show up.  It is going to be awesome, now if I can just get the word out and convince the people to come!!  Ticket sales are happening, but need to sell a whole lot more!  

3) Tennis Camp - for anyone in the area the week long tennis camp will take place the 3rd week of July.  It is Monday thru Friday from 9am to 10:30am and is $45.  Space is very limited!  Grades completed K - 8.  Contact me soon to get your name on the list.  Thx!  July 13-17.

4) Radio - I am kind of in a holding pattern with the station.  I have set a goal of having a once a week 2 hour program until school starts - then possibly moving to everyday.  The problem is that I can not figure out the programming.  I have a Mac and it just does not act like the PC program and no one else has a Mac.  Love my Mac, but not right now.  So i am kind of stuck at going forward.  I know this is the direction the Lord has for me and I am excited to get started, but this one hurdle is just about to do me in - ha!  Where are all the Mac peeps when you need them?  

5) Did I tell you I have been invited to go on a Compassion International trip along with my ministry partner Ginger More and a few other speakers?  Tentatively we are going at the end of October.  I am so so sos sosososoooooooo excited about this opportunity!  I have wanted to get more and more a feel for what Compassion is all about since I share it with so many other people and this I know will do that.  It will help me to develop more of a passion for the ministry and a greater understanding for what they do!  I am pumped and honored too!  

6) Last but not least, my 2 year project with my cousin Heather Hargis of writing a book is finished.  We have set a release date  for all major bookstores as Sept. 6 I think and I actually received my first set of copies yesterday for presale!!!!  AND i actually had someone come by last night to get one!!!!!!  It was kind of surreal!  "Loving God, Loving People   Living out the Vertical in a Horizontal World"  They are $11.99 plus shipping if you are interested!  I have a limited number, but would be glad to get one to you before I run out!!  I would even sign it for you - that sounds kind of funny.  ha ha!  

I am so very excited, but not sure I would ever do it again.  I don't really enjoy writing for a deadline and do not feel very confident in my writing.  I am too passive and let too many things slide.  Many thoughts of.........."awe shucks, I am sure they know what i mean, I don't have to explain any further!"  Not so good in the writing world.  At least I had my incredible cousin to help pull and pull details out of me that I just was thinking everyone knew and understood.  She was fabulous and so patient!!  With Heather I would consider writing again, but I am not sure she would consider me!! ha!  

7) A Woman Inspired  - I will be speaking at this conference next week.  Leave a comment today and you will be in a drawing for a free ticket.  I am very excited on this opportunity too.  Last time the ladies were so awesome in keeping in touch and sooooooo kind in their comments.  It will be fun, but I am so excited about the topic.  Go to the website to find out all the information!!  

Today is our last day of school.  We go to each school and receive report cards and then are home for the day...............yeah!!!  I have so much to catch up on and so many emails to return and FB messages too.  I have not forgotten all you people out there!!!  Just so you know I am not as regular on my blog in the summers.  I will be waking to run 30 minutes later than normal and QT and stuff.  My home ministry to my family takes much more of a front seat in the summer because they are right at my feet and I love it!  We have so many things already planned plus I will be moving into the new house too!  Keep praying for a buyer for the current home.  I know it is not a good time to do this 2 home thing, but I am trusting He will send the buyer in His time!  He has always done it before!  

Phil. 4:5 says, "Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near."  Oh Jesus, help me to remember that!!  Help me to show that - help me to be that - help me to show YOU!  I love you!! 

Don't forget to leave a comment and be eligible for a free ticket to A Woman Inspired!  

Thanks and Love, Leigh

731 - Look (and pray) Before You Leap or You Might End Up in a Heap!

Just last night we were at the ball park just hanging out and watching games.  I guess we don't get to be there enough with the 5 different teams my kids play on so we thought we would take in some more.  (It is actually much less stressful watching someone else's kid.)  The weather was nice and the kids were getting worn out - good thing!  

We had to cross one inside park road to get to another ball field.  Elleigh was up ahead of us just talking to all the birds and bugs - really anything whether it talked back or not.  Getting right up close to this road we had to cross, Elleigh darted across the street without looking either way for cars and abruptly stopped on the other side.  She turned around and proceeded to look both ways as if she was going to cross again.   She then yelled out to me, "Mom, no cars crossed after I got to the other side!", as if that made complete sense - at least to her.  

Elleigh just leaped into the other side of the street just like we like to leap into the other side of life - without warning, thought, or anything diligent about it!  By that I mean, I have many times gone after something with good motives, but have not truly taken it to much prayer just because it was a good thing and basically I wanted to do it!  NOT GOOD!   After the fact I might look back and see that nothing smooshed me, but is God honored in that at all?  

I have found the Lord saying over and over to me - Leigh, look before you leap or you might end up in a heap.  This saying came from a safety drawing contest my brother entered one time with a guy jumping off a diving board into a pool absent of water! But that is so me.  

Blind faith is not walking into something without prayer!  

Blind faith is walking into something that you really don't know many details and are in complete trust of Him, but you are completely prayed up and in agreement with the Spirit!  I think too often we or I want to have an overall disclaimer that I trust the Lord and want to follow His leadings and so therefore I don't have to pray as much as I ought because I have a blind faith and just do it!  

I honestly get scared that I have done that with lots of things in my life.  God has been so merciful to pick up the pieces and make good and wonderful things of my leaping without looking and praying, but how much more wonderful would it have been if I had truly followed His plan instead of just doing!  

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  Phil. 4:6  

The word "prayer" in that verse has the meaning of general prayers...  Possibly the kinds we say at the table over a meal or the blessings a pastor might pray over his congregation before departing from them.  But the word "petitions" has a much specific meaning.  It means prayers that we are praying for a particular benefit  - specific in nature and I would think with much more passion and urgency possibly.  

So as we walk into a blind faith kind of thing the Lord does not want us walking without prayer.  In everything and that does mean everything we are to have taken it to Him with general and specific prayers.  He does want us to leap and have reckless abandon and barbaric faith, but not without praying and seeking Him - in everything!  Don't cross the street looking back to see if you got smooshed any longer - look before you leap or you might end up in a heap!