551 - Obey or not?

Lord Jesus - you have asked me to do something, but I just don't want to. Honestly, that is the bottom line for me. I just don't want to. I know, how could I say that to You, my Savior, but it is true, I just don't want to. This is not a situation where I am wondering if God wants me to do this particular thing - i am very aware of what He is asking.

Yesterday as I was going about my day and constant talk with You Lord, I asked - am i being rebellious? Is this the kind of thing that will cause much discipline? Most importantly the Lord just relayed back to me - It just breaks my heart, Leigh. You are refusing to obey in this area and it breaks my heart. It is not so much about discipline although you know that I love you and so I must discipline, but You are breaking my heart over this minuscule thing and I have so much more for you!! We have to get through this!!

Oh Lord - it just seems so silly. I know it just between you and I, but still. I know I sound like a junior high kid, but Lord Jesus! This morning in my devotion you wrote the words and had them jump out at my on the page - "Chose today to not rebel any longer." Holy cow - could you get any more specific and any more clear?? I mean did You have to use that same word I had just used in my own prayer? Lord, you are so clear and I thank you for that!! I want to know your will and do your will without question - hello - you are so clear!!!

My scripture for today is James 4:17 - another confirmation.... "To one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin" Ouch!!

Lord, I will walk in obedience. I will choose to line myself up with the favor of the Lord by saying yes to your ways. Lord, I will do as you ask regardless of what I want to do or even feel like I should do. Lord, I want your ways in my life. I want to follow you even in the smallest of things. Lord, I want to go down in your book as faithful and a fighter for what you want in my life. Not fighting against you, but on your team!! I choose to obey and for me that is JOY!!! I love you, Lord. Thank you for loving me enough to ask certain things in my life!!

We are almost all moved in. Kids start the new school today - nerves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SJ lost her first tooth last night! She was so proud! Me too!

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!

500 - "When Praise Demands a Sacrifice!!!!!!!!!"

Lord Jesus - I am here, the 500th post. I have thought of many cool things to do on this particular "day", but nothing seems appropriate except just talking with you. In honor of the 500th post, I read Psalm 50 today and just loved it. Father, you are it - you are awesome - you control all things - you expect all things - you are command all things - you are in all things and hold all things together.

Lord, I praise you for your righteousness and for being the perfect judge. I am so thankful that you just speak and things happen. I praise you for the omnipotent power you posses. I thank you for being so clear on what you expect out of our lives!! I thank you for the forgiveness you offer to all people and generations. In my life I am so thankful for your redemptive nature!! You have brought me back to life so many times. I praise you - whatever it takes!

"He who offers thank offerings honors me" Ps. 50:23a From what I understand this thank offering right here in this scripture is talking about praise that demands a sacrifice. Oh Lord, Your Word - what power and authority it holds - thank you! But what does this scripture mean for my life, Lord? Reveal it to me, please.

Lord, I pray my life does bring you honor and praise. I want to be honoring in all that I do. I want to lead women to honor you with their lives. I want to bring others close to you. I know the way to do that is by first being honoring myself and consistent in my time with you. I want to praise you even though it may cost everything! I want to stand up in the midst of trials and shout out your fame. I want to know you and live out true believing!!! I want to know you.

Jesus, forgive me of my sin. You know me so well and know the things in my life that i should long ago gotten over. You know those things in my life that I just can not seem to let go of. Lord, thank you for loving me just the same! Lord, thank you for seeing the scared woman that I am at times and helping me to rise above all that. Thank you for blessing me for my true intentions. Even though I have moments where I do not act very becomingly you know my deepest desire and heart intentions!! Based on that you bestow so many things unto me. Wow - that is a cool, cool, concept!!

Savior, please speak to me today showing the sacrifice that you are demanding out of my life that will speak praise to you! Lord, open my heart to whatever it may be. Maybe more than anything you are confirming the no speaker fee commitment you have asked of Ginger and I! I pray that sacrifice is just praise you each and every time we get up in Your Name to proclaim Your greatness!! I can not believe the power of the blogland. I have 2 ladies already contact me about applying for our speaker team. Lord, may i always use this avenue to bring glory and honor to you! Lord, I love you with all my heart. I want to have a greater joy about my relationship with You. I beg you to show me my faults and wrong ways so that I can get it right with you. I thank you for your gentleness and mercy. Lord, I will see in the days ahead and ask that you pour out Your words for all my upcoming events!! Happy Birthday Jesus!

337 - Let's Get Personal

Heavenly Father - what a beautiful morning. We have been sleeping with the windows up, had the windows up for some time now, and I just love hearing or being awakened by all the birds singing. Ok - maybe at 4:30 it is not so pleasant, but anytime after 5am i love it!!

This morning I am in 1 Chron. 29:1-10 - oh it is really good. David is telling more about all he has saved up for the temple building - to be built. It is a massive amount of stuff, well not stuff, but materials, jewels, gems - all kinds of building things. Then in verse 3 David explains that he is also giving of his personal treasure. Oh this is good. It reminds me of many different things. We give our tithe and that is like giving back part of what God provided us. But then God will spur us on from time to time to give above and beyond that - an offering. Something personal that might even hurt or at best take an increased faith especially if funds are not there. Or I remember a friend fasting, the Daniel fast, and then God told them to step it up beyond what others may be doing - take it personal.

I praise you Lord as you definitely gave to us, all mankind, more than we could have ever dreamed - and still do. But then you took it personal. You sent your very own son to die for us - now that is taking it personal. Oh Father - I just want to say thank you for such a sacrifice. I don't think I go to the cross near enough. Thank you for the love, thank you for the grace, and thank you for showing us what it really means to die to self and give up all. Lord, have you called me to something personal and I just have not noticed or been willing. Speak to my heart and show me Lord. Show me the ways I have not "gone there" with you. Show me the areas that you are requiring more and where I may be stopping short of what you have in mind! Oh Lord, I want to be pleasing in your sight and I want to be obedient!! Oh, do your work, Lord.

The other quick thing that I love about this passage is in verse 9. "The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders". Oh what a beautiful thing, but also a reminder. We are all leaders whether we want to or not. Some may be leading preschoolers, some are leading the world. But oh how important for those you are leading to see your sacrifices as well. Not in a bragging kind of way, but as example. I went to a church a few weeks ago in Kansas and this women's group was using another church for their retreat. The pastor of that church - no relation to the ladies using the church - was there the whole time and unbelievable in his giving. He certainly did not have to, but he wanted to! Then at my church recently when i spoke there we had a dinner and everything. My own pastor and other men served us dinner - even high school boys. The other thing that was impressive was my very own pastor helped me set up my resource table - purses and such! Now that is giving and sacrificing to me. What does it make me want to do - rejoice, sure, but then give back and help as well. Our church has this huge Memorial Day thing coming up and Clay and I have really struggled with what we are suppose to be doing. Sure, easy to give a few dollars to help another buy food or whatnot, but getting in their with the hands and doing something I think is even more sacrificial!! Oh Lord, show us!!

Lu Lu got fixed yesterday. Poor thing - just laying around and so tired. Kids are on a school count down! I am ready for school to be out. Going to close totally on this house today. Got more baseball practice. Going to the school to sell more purses on Wednesday - I am really excited about this. Tucker has his first zit, but has no fingernails to actually pop it good. hee hee God is good, all the time - I am sure! I love you!

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!

325 - Have some Guts!

Good morning Lord Jesus - i am sitting out on my screened in porch listening to the birds sing Your praises and talk about their days events of worm catching, bug finding, and patiently waiting as You provide their every need. Oh Lord, you are so good like that. I wish I could wait more patiently instead of just jumping to provide for myself. OH - I almost forgot - I am a normal one house owner kind of girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How cool is that??? We closed on our Charlotte, NC house yesterday and boy is that a relief. So hopefully in the next couple of months we can begin thinking about building on to our current home. Tucker needs his own bedroom. We are in a great location, great neighbors, and I have decided i just don't want to be way out in the country. (The real truth is that I don't want to build.) This town is the country to me so to remove myself even more from anything - no thanks. I like hearing a car every now and then. I like walking to the post office. I like running up to the Wonder Market. I like sending Tucker to Doug's if he so desires. I love neighbors! And I really like this house and being debt free. I know my taste is not cheap and so if we were to build i would have us right back to a Charlotte kind of house and I don't need that nor want that again! No thank you! So - yeah! We're done!

This morning I was reading in 2 Samuel 20:14 and following. This is where there was about to be a civil war break out and a WOMAN jumps out to take the situation by the horns. She is "causing" peace and actually has great success at it. At this point in my study, there are so many half-kids, step-brothers, "unloyal" fans, those that have defected back - the list could go on and on. But anyway, there are so many that I am having trouble keeping it all straight in my mind. But the bottom line for me this morning was the fact this lady possibly put her life on the line just to make a point and allow peace to rule the land just a few years more. Did she have to do that - No! Do we even have a name to thank her - no! What she looking for glory - no. She was just a lady on a mission and not afraid to get caught up in it!

There are many times I have to admit I want to get involved in things I probably have no business getting into. I am always the first one to want to open my doors to anyone needing a place to stay, I am always the first one wanting to give to a situation I have heard about........ I can be a sucker!! I am not trying to toot my horn or give myself props as i have heard my niece coin the phrase. I am just explaining what my first reaction is - just the way He has made me. BUT, in that generosity I have to be really careful I don't get taken. That is part of the reason the Lord has given me such a "even" husband and quite a questioning one as well. He has an unbelievable way of seeing all angles of a situation. I just see the tears in a person's eyes or the desperation in their voice and react................. Clay takes the time to think it out.

But at the same time I feel like there have been situations placed right in front of me or others and it was just too much to get involved in. Where is Christ in that?? I know of one lady that is reaching out to a young girl in a pregnancy situation with an abusive boyfriend just about to end it all. This lady lives across the country from this young girl in distress. The lady has her own sweet family and things are just hunky dory where she lives. Why would she step into such a mess and bring this girl to her home??? Why - why not let social services just get involved and take over. Why not just turn your head and act as if God never placed that before you? Why not just tell God you are afraid for your own families safety - He would certainly understand that, right? Why? Why? Why?...................................

Just as this lady stepped in to bring about peace in her country in 2 Samuel, we have got to have some guts and take a stand every now and then. God does not call us to rescue everyone and everything that crosses our paths, but there are some things He places right in front of us to do something about. Someone in a "nice" way told my friend that had just gotten back from a dangerous mission trip that she need not worry about the foreign dangerous places - we have our own mission field here in the US. OH that burned my b.u.t.t. (Don't tell I said that.) That is the problem with US Christians. We are fine with just going to church, giving a little bit of our money, and going on weekend beach mission trips. Now all of that is not bad, please hear me on that - someone has got to do it. Just like I have "got" to go on the cruise I am speaking on. But if that is it and we never get our feet dirty - is He glorified??? I don't think so much - Christianity is not for those with no faith, all fear, and no guts!!

Lord, you have really placed a burden on my heart this morning to do something......... I don't know what that something is, but I pray you will reveal in your own time. I don't want Clay and I to be ones that are scared to act. I don't want us to be ones that turn our heads to a situation that might seem a bit much for us. I don't want us to be ones to just a write a check and let that be our contribution. I want to do what you want us to do. If that is write a check, give us the faith to do so. If it is to take one in, allow us to know when and how. Oh Lord, I want to be more than just a US Christian. I want to be sold out and really available to You!! Show me, Lord.

Tonight I will be speaking at my home church - Crossroads Bible Church! I am really excited. All I want Lord, is to be filled with Your power and Spirit!

More purses coming later today!

277 - We Must Step It Up

2 Samuel 6:1-11 - This is scripture that is hard to take. This is about the guy Uzzah that saw the Ark of God slipping, reached up his hands, and steadied it from falling. He saved the day. He was a hero. He was able to act quickly and be the man. He was doing what was right, right? All of that seems true. The Ark was falling and he just reached up there to correct the situation - very honorable. But instead God struck him dead. Wow oh wow - now that is tough...

God was not going to stand for disrespect. God told them exactly how to carry the Ark and this was not it. It was disobedience and irreverence on the part of the Israelites. Now the Philistines had carried it this way - with oxen instead with poles carried by the priests. God punished them severely for 7 months. Oh Lord, I see so much here in this scripture talking to me about parenting.

I must be different. I must raise my kids different and with more reverence and respect. I must raise the standard and not give in. Lord, I see that you are saying - so what if the media says a film is OK or so what if your friends are letting their kids do it - if it not something i have set for your family, then it is not to happen. This is where i fall prey to giving in. I will not allow the kids to watch certain things at my house or play certain games on the computer, PlayStation, etc... But when they go to a friends house i kind of lower my standards and let their house rules be our standard. I don't want the kids to get embarrassed, I don't want to seem nit-picky, I don't want it to seem like people have to clean up their ways just because my kids have come over. But it is wrong Lord. Like this story, I am doing things that are not acceptable according to the ways You have led my house and child raising - therefore it is wrong. I think we all do it and our kids are suffering for it big time.

I know in my house and many other houses across the US - kids are doing things way earlier than they used to. My girls want to wear clothes that have meaning and yet they don't even know the meaning. My son wants to listen to music that is way too big for him. Boy- girl parties are happening way before they should. Parents are taking their kids and girl/boy friend to movies way before it is time just because it is cute. I really think we are carrying the honor and reverence for the Lord close to the ground - and possibly we have dropped it in the dirt and throwing up mud as we pass it by.

Lord, I confess to You i am guilty. Lord, i want to be a better more God glorifying parent and one that explains why we don't do this and that instead of just yelling, I mean saying, No! Lord, I want Your honor and favor to be all over this house, but I know i am responsible with "lining up with the favor" as i like to say to my kids. You want to be blessed, you want your house to receive the honor and glory and blessing from Him - then we must do the things that "line up with the favor". We are going to have to turn off some TV. Say no to certain parties the kids go to. We are going to have to ask other parents to put away certain games when our kids come over. We are going to have to go the extra mile and be Holy. Exodus states "be holy as I Am holy". That is what He is calling us to be. He wants us to be holy and set apart. He was us to reverence Him and teach that to our kids!!!!! Oh Lord, help me!! Help me to not such a compromiser. Help me to be strong and courageous. Help me to not trample another's parenting, but just know that I answer to You for our standards.

The end of that scripture the Ark finally went to the house of Obed-Edom. It reads, "the Lord blessed him and is entire household". That is what i pray for. I pray that as You are looking around the world for some people to do Your mighty works and bless - see them lined up with the favor - doing things that can be blessed and Your favor upon - I pray you can stop by our house and do just that. I pray our house is one that Your presence can comfortably dwell. Lord, please show me those things where we have dropped the standard. Show me the things that need tweaking. Show me the things that need to raised to a higher level. Show me Lord!!! I want to know and I know You want me to change!!!! I love you!

The End of a Season

Lord Jesus, my time with this Beth Moore study and Daniel is coming to a close. It has been great and very mind boggling. There have definitely been times that i didn't know how to relate all the history with my personal walk other than just being in awe of all that God revealed to a man after Your own heart. Overall, i think that is my prayer - to be the kind of woman that You can reveal things to and have trust and faith in to do as You ask. Bottom line - be found faithful!

Session 11 - the video time may have been the greatest one to me. It was by far the most intense - I mean, it was the one that she was the most fired up about making sure we "get it" and "do the thang" as she says. The fist 30 minutes were spent on examining the effects of ceasing daily sacrifices. This is what Antiochus did in his reign. He made all sacrifices to be ceased and no more worship. He defiled the temple and God would have his way with him! Oh my!!! Today - have sacrifices ceased???

Beth Moore explained that living a selfish life is the ceasing of daily sacrifices. We are living sacrifices and that means a life opposite of selfishness. "If we miss the whole life of sacrificial living then we will miss our whole purpose for life." This is the part that meant to much to me - We want things BIG and in a SHORT amount of time. We are not willing to wait and put in our time and do our part. We want NOW. Oh how i am so guilty of that Lord Jesus. Of course You know, but i confess that and ask that You help me to change my perspective and ways. Help me to be patient and wait on You. the pursuit of all other things than You can and do become idols in my life and that breaks Your heart AND not something you will stand for! Help me!

A sacrificial life is one that will cost me. The world will tell me to not get out of my comfort zone - but You call us to be stretched. The world says don't go too far - don't get too caught up in this spiritual thing - But You call us to go the distance and abandon all for the sake of the call. The world says to give only in comfort and don't worry so much about others - You call us to give extensively until it hurts! The world tell us you can have it all and do it all - but You tell us that we have to make a choice and to choose the best not just the good!

Lord, i hear You screaming out to me. Or at least i hear it as a scream. I will obey. This week has been a great week. Lots of speaking and still much more to come. I am going to Conover this weekend to do a retreat. I am excited, but i am also excited to get home and be with Clay. Then I speak again on Monday and Tuesday with Stonecroft. Testimony deal again - i really liked that way of ministry!

There is no other life than living for You and with You and in You! No other savior, but You. All other things are rubbish compared to You. May I never serve anything other than You! Clean my heart and make my prayer the honest truth! I want my heart to beat for You and with You! Do Your work in me. Make me ready for Your service! Please bring me more opportunities to serve You! I love you!

Isaiah 17: 10 You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress. Therefore, though you set out the finest plants and plant imported vines,
11 though on the day you set them out, you make them grow, and on the morning when you plant them, you bring them to bud, yet the harvest will be as nothing in the day of disease and incurable pain.