879 - Why do we work hard?

Dear Lord, Lots of thoughts going on in my head of so many things I want to do and so many things that I need to do. Now that it is August I am getting back into the mood of my kids heading back to school. I long for a set schedule, but have certainly enjoyed the crazy fun-filled free time of this summer. Last week was about the only time we had all summer of nothing scheduled. We did spend the good part of it in Branson, but the last few days of nothing we had to be at landed us right back on the golf course.

One of the goals of this summer was to become a golfing family. As a whole we are there except Emmajoy does it kicking and screaming! Sarahjane got her own set of clubs for her birthday and she and Elleigh are ate up! Tucker is by the far, the best/worst! He is most consumed, or has the worst addiction, but is the best at practicing and getting out there to get it done! This just might be his thing! He plays everyday - usually 18, but always 9. I love it for him!

My preacher just about preached his head off on Sunday - it was incredible!!! We are going through a series called Membership Matters based on the whole book of Ephesians. I have thoroughly enjoyed it! He is so complete, studied, and interesting all at the same time. Not to mention his most wonderful quality - humble! Never have I sat under such a humble leader!

Sunday's sermon is worth going to our website and listening to or running by the church to get a copy! http://www.fbcarmi.com

^{Eph. 4:28}He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

So often I think I buy into this "lie", you might say, that I work hard so that I can buy things for myself and certainly my family. I work hard so I can provide for my family. And I do believe God does bless with many wonderful things as a reward of that hard work. But I guess my question is all that hard work just for me and my own doings? Is there anything else I can or am suppose to do with the extra?

The verse above is kind an odd one to me. That whole chapter, 4, has been talking about unity in the body of Christ and then goes on to discuss living as Children of light. Then all of a sudden the writer throws in an exhortation to not steal any longer! I am not real sure where that comes from, but I am ok with it - as if I have the right to not be ok with it - ha! Obviously there must of been some members of the church of Ephesus that were not pulling their weight. In fact they must have been stealing instead of working with their own hands - earning an honest wage!

But the tail end of the verse is what I kind of was convicted over. We work hard so that we don't steal. Got that and am good with that! We work hard using our own hands because we need to provide for ourselves and so that we can build a huge pool. Right? Well, almost.

There is certainly nothing wrong with having a pool (one of the things I so desperately am begging my husband for), or having nice things, or providing the best for your family - or any of those things. But I think the point of it all is that we work hard so that we can take care of priorities and give back over and over again.

My Bible referenced Acts 20:35 where Paul is again telling the people that the reason he worked so hard was not just for himself, but to give to others or "help the weak". He reminded those he was talking with of the words of Jesus - "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

All of our giving looks different. Some may give up some luxuries just so there is extra cash available to give with. Some may even add luxuries so that they can share it with more.... Some are adding to their families even in messy situations because they have seen a need. But the point I take from this today is that we are not given much to hoard. We are given much to take care of our own, but also to help those in need - even if for a short time!

Lord, I am not always good at this giving thing just because I don't know where to start. This Saturday my SS class is offering a free lunch to a neighborhood in Carmi that certainly is known for having less. So many kids in this part feed themselves or just don't get fed. It is very obvious and we vowed to not ignore it any longer! So this Saturday from 11am to 1pm we will be at Bradshaw serving a hot meal to anyone that is hungry! We have pooled our money together to provide "those in need". Even if you are not part of our SS class or even our church we would love to have you out there to help serve. Lord, may you be glorified!!

769 - Giving fully

Dear Lord, Today is the day that I leave with my #1 tennis player with my assistant coach Patricia Trout and head on the long ride to Chicago - about 6 hours away. Katelyn will play in the tourney for the 2nd time in 2 years. Last year we went in doubles, but this year she has done it again, but all by herself in singles. I am so very proud of her and hope for only the best - and good fun and fun! ha

My parents got back from Australia where they competed in the World Games. They both brought home a Silver and my dad's team also won a gold!! They both are fantastically crazy basketball players! This is all part of the Senior Olympics! I love it! I'm so proud of them!

Lord, today I found myself perched in the 58th verse of 1 Cor. chapter 15. "Therefor my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

After the last couple of weeks, this verse is like such a healing balm! I have a few decisions to be made and really want to make sure I am doing as You desire Lord. I want to give myself "fully to the work of the Lord". If there is anything I do know about myself is that I do not do a lot of things well. I struggle with being very organized and having all my I's dotted and T's crossed. There is always something it seems that I am scrambling after.

But I know that I not just love ministry, but I love doing ministry well! I am passionate about it and know this is where He has placed for me to be. I think about ministry all the time and I think about all kinds of ways to draw people in! Yes, it is my heartbeat because He is my heartbeat!!

I love how, Father, this verse says to "Stand Firm" - It sounds like an exhortation to keep doing!! Stand firm in what He has called me to do and keep pressing on! I don't see one standing firm in question - but standing firm with resolute!

"Let nothing move you" - Oh God, for your sake and because of the power in the Resurrection, I pray that I can be resolute myself about Your purposes. Lord, that I will let nothing move me! I will press forward into you and stand firm in your power!

As Curtis Jones from LPM reminded me as Resolution was cancelled, "Although it didn't work out on earth, it did count in Heaven". I am laboring for the Lord and I may not have the opportunity to see the results here on earth - but whatever we do in the Name of the Lord will count in Heaven. Nothing we do in His name is in vain!

Oh Lord, I cry out to you in thanksgiving! I worship you Father and ask that you are clear on my paths to take! I want to follow you and have great support knowing that my work is not in vain! Lord, I want to hear from you! I want to love you more!! I want to be confident not in my adventures, but in Your power and love for me!! Jesus - you are great and greatly to be praised! I will!! I give myself fully to you!!! I love you - amen!

532 - My Parakletos

"And let us consider how we may spur one another one in love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as we see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

How was yesterday - is the challenge on? The Lord gave me a victory yesterday and then one quick reminder!! I did well on my eating - as far as healthy things, even had some sunflower seeds - and aerobics last night was rocking. It was warm down there which i love - love to sweat - and the ladies had a ton of energy! That makes it fun and intense - the way it is suppose to be. Then when I came home stravin' I knew it was going to be a battle. I fixed the kids and I tacos. I LOVE tacos... I did pretty well and was cleaning up dinner - then i needed one more thing. So i set out for some cereal, but could only muster up Captain Crunch. I felt the Lord whisper, "There are better things", but I rationalize that I deserved it ('deserved it' can get me in big trouble). So i pour the cereal and milk, sat down with Emmajoy, and inhaled a huge bite. AAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEE - sour milk and it wasn't even out of date... God could not get my attention by speaking so He turned the milk into sour! I'm done, let's go to bed! You have any experiences like that? Let's hear!

This verse above is really talking about coming together as Christians and fellowshipping. It is talking about making sure we encourage one another to keep coming into the fellowship - church - and to not miss out. I am not sure people understand how much they are missed even if they are not told when they miss church. I can speak from an aerobics perspecitive - when the ladies don't show up it makes class a bummer. I get so much energy from a full class and am encouraged just to walk in and see everyone ready to go. The ladies we have coming right now are wild women and I love it. They talk back to me during class, they scream when it burns, they are just trying their dog-gone hardest - it is unbelievable to be part of it! It is like having my friend Mellissa Guinn from Charlotte in the class times 15 - there are a bunch of her!!! JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Lord!

I can not tell you how many times people will leave the church because no one called them to say they are missed. I can completely understand where the people are coming from, BUT....... when they were here who were they calling to say they missed them? It goes both ways. I do good to make sure I have 6 heads in the car, mine included, going to church and then getting back home. I can hardly think who was not there. But the one way to make sure we are constantly encouraged is to be an encourager. Kind of like to have a friend, you have to be a friend. The Christian life is nothing more than a constant giving of oursleves. If we receive anything back, then praise Him, but do not expect it.

With that giving mind in perspecitive the verse above says "let us consider". That consider there means to contemplate. "How we may spur one another on" That spur means to move someone in a direction for results and it actually means doing something for them. So giving... it might take some work. Many times it will not be a rash or rushed decision. Now just because He gives you a quick idea doesn't mean it is not a valid one or one to not take seriously in doing for someone. He works that way often in my life - Do this or that................now! Sometimes i react, sometimes not. But the main point is that we are to consider - contemplate, look for ways, be creative (ugh) - how we can spur one another one - move each other in the direction to be encouraged.

The last verse says that we are to "encourage one another". That is not needed to be explained, but I did look up encourage. We are to be like Christ and He is our encourager. Advocate is the most common word used for Jesus as it pertains to encourage. He speaks to the Father on our behalf - praying for us. How cool is that??? In the greek it is parakletos!! I love that word.

So friends - it is going to take a movement, effort on our part to encourage one another to achieve what He has called us to. We have to encourage one another - spur one another on towards love and good deeds - and good eating. When we feel a moment of weakness coming on - to overeat, to eat cruddy food, to not go to church, not attend Bible study, to skip out of aerobics, to not meet with a friend.................... pick up the phone and call someone. Because here is the deal if things work the way the Lord intends them to - someone calls you for a "spur on" and you do just that. Encourage them off the ledge and back to right thinking - rational thinking - you do not need another Little Debbie Swiss Cake roll. Then when it is your turn for a 'spur on' you have someone to call for encouragement. That is what God means when He says to not give up meeting together. Come together as often as possible, but when you are down do not give up on one another - spur on!!!

You all that left comments have spurred me on and those of you that sent emails have done the same - thank you! I hope these next 39 days can do the same for you. That is right - one day gone and done with and victory to claim!!! Yeah!!! Be encourged my friends!! Take "it" to your friends, but don't ever neglect the greatest encourager of all - The Parakletos!! I love you, Lord!

422 - Faith Test

Wow - I just blogged this morning about asking people to provide for needs as part of their fulfilling what God has called them to do. (I know that did not just make sense so read my post earlier today.) I was also talking about God meeting all our needs, etc. Well, I met with the lawyer on Tuesday about the non-profit status. It was to cost at our original meeting $1550.00. Well, I just got in the mail a letter stating that fees had gone up of which I guess she was not aware of on Tuesday of this week! I am now short $665.00! Ouch!!

So, i guess here is where the rubber meets the road. I hate asking, but I am so thankful I don't have to do it in person - you can just turn me down by just clicking away instead of "no" to my face...................... I need to meet this new figure!! Can you help? I don't want you to get nothing for your giving if He so leads you, so just let me know if i can send you a CD or DVD or something like that. I do have a devotional booklet called Mommy Moments that I could send you for a suggested donation of $20. And of course there are always the purses. Boy am I ever thankful for them more than ever!!! Got a sister that is having a birthday? What about an anniversary? Want to get a few Christmas presents out of the way??

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. My husband and I will of course make up what is not raised, but I hate to do too much of that right now with the house project, etc. Plus, I really feel that I am suppose to ask since that was my quiet time this morning and all. Wow, is He testing my faith and making me uncomfortable or what................. Yikes, double yikes!!!

Thank you in advance, Lord, and thank you in advance for your sacrifice!! He is faithful!

421 - Up to the Brim, No, Overflowing!

Howdy and yippe hi aye - Jesus it is a great morning and I am happy to be studying your word! I have come to a beautiful verse in Philippians this morning. Verse 4:19 - "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Oh boy, does that get me excited!! Paul is talking about how the people in Phillipi have been so generous to supply aid to him and he is reminding them in such a way that God will do the same for them. Being in ministry that really excites me and blesses me. I remember when I was with Proverbs 31 Ministries and we went through many lean months, months that they had to call on the speakers to give generously, and then ask anyone and everyone to give as well. I was OK with that - I am a giver, He just made me that way. But for others it can be really tough.

What about asking for donations and help financially? One friend of mine is going to Africa and actually she can pay her own way. She was asking me if she should just do that and not worry about asking others. I told her NO!!! Some people the Lord has gifted financially and they are the ones that will give to things, but He never calls to GO. So if she and others never ask then they are prohibiting these givers from fulfilling part of their purpose in life. God can just make money to appear on our doorstep or a check in the mail, but many, many times it is through others giving people after being asked that He provides for our needs! Oh Lord, that excites me. I know that when I have the non-profit status all set up I will sending out a letter asking for donations for various things - new ring, clothes, perfume - JOKING, I AM JUST JOKING, hee hee - and that will be easy for some and really tough for others. Just He will meet all my NEEDS.

I like that it says He will meet - that kind of reminds me of meeting someone for a meeting. Sometimes you get there early, sometimes after the assigned time, but nevertheless you meet at some point. The way God provides is always different. I do know He doesn't make mistakes so what seems late to us it is perfect to Him. He does meet early at times and then it is our responsibility to save and be wise with the money. That is hard at times when there are so many other things to be done. But He always meets with purpose and I think that applies to money as well. God is purposeful and gives to certain allocations at times as well. That is just the so very cool creativity of Him. I am learning that day by day with this house construction kind of thing. With my new job I am asking God what I can pay for - a cabinet, a shower curtain, a decorative vase, or does a portion go back into ministry after first giving His portion? I mean what is it Lord? He will tell me, He is faithful like that and cares about the details. We talk like that! Oh Lord, I thank you in advance for all the way you will meet my needs. I thank you that you have never been late one time. I thank you that you have been so faithful in the past and never forgotten me!! I love you, Lord.

I went to my first day of training yesterday and had a blast. It was moving and exciting and not boring at all. I can't wait to really be on my own so that I can figure things out on my own. I go in today for another 3 hours. Then on Friday I am going to take one last trip to Evansville with Courtney like we did so often last year during the school day. I look forward to spending some solid time with her.

The house is coming along so well. The guys are working so hard and it is so hot. The heating and air guys started yesterday taking out all those radiators - those are so heavy... We got the "servant" stairs taken out and the bottom portion turned into a pantry. The top portion of those stairs will be turned to go up to the third floor. Right now it looks like an elevator could fit in just perfectly! Now that's an idea - just kidding hubby!! All the wood to build the walls on the third floor has been brought up and building has begun! Oh I just love it!!! It is so fun!

Thank you Jesus - thank you for an awesome day and it has only just begun!!!

329 - Sacrifice for Free

Dear Lord, Good morning! It is a beautiful, cool, brisk morning - I wish i had gone running this morning before the day got going, but oh well. Last night at Plainview was amazing. There was a huge storm that ripped through the area and did a ton of damage. A few trees fell on cars parked in various locations. The power flickered many times. In the middle of speaking the power went off to the point that I thought it was going to stay off. It was kind of freaky - I don't think my mic ever turned off - I still sounded "on". Anyway, I delivered the Balanced Lifestyle message and think it went over well. I feel very, very comfortable in that church - lots of ladies i know briefly, but have always heard a ton about through the years. Great God-fearing people there!

So this morning I have come to the end of 2 Samuel. The devotional book is not done as I am sure we will have to go through David's death and bury him as well. But we are getting close. Verse 24 of chapter 24 is a huge verse for me. "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." Wow - what a statement. David has come to a point that God is punishing Israel for a reason that we as the reader really don't know. There are many speculations, but to me the important part is that God does punish, reprimand, or discipline His children. I think we think He is so good that He could never get on to me. Or when we are going through something tough and unexplainable it has to be Satan messing with us instead of a result of our own disobedience. Isn't it so much easier to blame someone else instead of "me".

But in normal David fashion, he takes the blame and seeks the Lord for His people. He decides on a 3 day plague that kills 70,000 Israelites. At the end of the plague David seeks to build an alter and offer a sacrifice. The man tries to give him the land and materials for the sacrifice, but David says "No, what good is a sacrifice that costs me nothing." Wow, that is amazing words. See this is the same place that according to the commentary that Abraham went to sacrifice Issac. This was a known spot for giving what is most precious in order for the Lord to move or have more of Him in your life.

Lord Jesus - how many times do I try to get something for free? I want to be blessed, but not go through the refining fire to get there. I want to be more like You, but yet not suffer in any of Your sufferings! Oh Jesus I am guilty of wanting more of You, but not wanting it to cost anything of me. What good is a sacrifice that costs me nothing. Lord, help me - Teach me what You might be asking for. Teach me to give of myself or anything else to be obedient unto You. Lord, teach me to what sacrifice really means. Does it scare me? Yes, just a bit - ok, a lot! Lord, I know You are safe and faithful and certainly trustworthy. May I listen to Your words and respond. May I seek Your face and understand more of You. Lord, may I be willing to release the clenches I have on certain things wiling to give them completely to You. I love you!!

I was suppose to speak in Omaha this Friday, but am unable. Have a family situation that must be checked on. I hate to leave that church in a pickle like that, but I must go. He will provide i know that for sure. I am so excited to go home to Charlotte in June. It will be a really fast trip, but I am so excited to see a few faces. Thank you Lord for the things you are doing in me. Thank you for another beautiful day. I am excited to see what You do today! I love you!

315 - We Can't Just Sit There

Lord Jesus - thank you for a wonderful weekend, but still quite sickly. EJ had fever up until Friday night, SJ still went to bed last night with fever, and EL is all better. This strep hit us big time and I am just about over it. Being couped up in house all week is not my idea of fun! ugh! So if SJ wakes up with any fever today we will go to the doctor one more time. Ammoxycillin is like candy to my kids - we need the shot to kill this thing, possibily!

Saturday was still wonderful as Daddy left at 5:45 for a 30 mile bike ride and the girls and i set out to find a dog!!! We found one in the paper about 1 hour away - 2 year old Boston Terrier fully house trained, very tiny like 10 pounds, must have been a runt, and doesn't stink!!! Our last Boston stunk so bad we could not keep her in. She didn't even make the move - I mean, robbers came and got her!!! So I am so thankful for our newest addition.

Lord, I am still burdened by this Micah 6:8 stuff. Our man David is not making some good decisions again. Ammon has raped David's daughter Tamar, his very own half sister, and now Absalom has killed Ammon. Absalom and Tamar were whole brother and sister and Absalom and Ammon were "halfs" as well, from what i can tell. But when all this went down and Tamar was utterly destroyed as any woman would be, David got mad or furious as it explains in the Bible, BUT did nothing!!! How terrible.

David, we appreciate your getting angry, but if you don't do something to right the wrong when you have the power to do so - what good are you???? That is just another example of not living out Micah 6:8. David in this case had the right and responsibility to stick up for his own daughter and did not. Now since Absalom killed Ammon he might have thought what else can be done. But according to the Bible time line, David got "furious" with no actions before Absalom killed Ammon. SO obviously Absalom was reacting to his dad's no action... So now we have a king, David, don't forget a man after God's own heart at one time, with a daughter that has been raped by her half brother, another son seeing and hearing of the disgrace and killed her perpetrator his own brother as well, and now that son, the killer, running to get away from his sin.

I know David probably could not have seen to having his own son killed for the rape, or whatever the punishment would have been, but to just get mad and turn a head is disgusting and unacceptable in and of itself. So i have to ask myself - what kind of things do i know are going on and I just close my eyes and walk away. Abortion makes me mad and sad, but I don't think i have ever picketed a place or even been in a "support for life" kind of rally or walk. There are many very poor and hungry kids living in our small town, but i have not searched out like a vengeance to help provide. Oh I know there are other things as well. So many things can be explained away with - God has not given me a passion to help that. Isn't it great when we make it God's fault. Or i love this one, I just don't want to butt in and make it obvious that I know someone needs help. It might embarrass them. Are we worried about their embarrassment or our inconveniencing... Or how about - I am so busy i can barely provide for my own family let alone another. There can be so many that I have experienced in my life!!!

Lord, serving one another and acting justly is what You came to this earth for. Yes, certainly dieing for our sins and saving us from our own destruction, but standing up or in the place for one that could not do it for themselves. You were the greatest example of servitude, but acting justly was your purpose. You saw the injustices being done and came to right all the wrongs. You knew the only way we would be justified and known by the Father was to die. You gave it all - what is it that I can do for another??? Oh Lord, please be clear and specific!

Going to the vet, workout, grocery shopping, running, and golfing again today. Day of fun and excitement. All is contingent on whether there are still sick kids in the house or not... Oh and we have to do some letter writing and name writing to be ready for Kindergarten!!! Praise you Lord.