Help for an unsettling time

Photo by Anthony Shkraba on Pexels.com

We are living in a crazy time, that’s for sure… We might find ourselves sleeping more, definitely traveling less, and zooming our brains out! I have connected with lots of my friends and co-workers during these many months of lockdown, and those who are introverts seem to be doing just fine. Then there are the rest of us that want to pull our hair out due to not having any conversations (excluding zoom, of course) except with people you live with! I know I have struggled. I am also now realizing that the summer is gone and I’m not sure where it went, because I barely know what day it is.

As you read this, you might be centered and well, or, on the other hand, quite possibly discouraged and depressed. (And maybe all of the above!) There are days for me where I feel excited for the things that God is doing, when He gives me a glimpse. But there are also days where I feel just the opposite. So much going on, so much to think about, it can all be overwhelming… and we don’t always know where and who to go to for help. So,

I wanted to let you know about some of Novo’s resources. (http://www.novo.org and http://www.pioneeringinitiatives.org is the mission organization and division that I work for.) Novo is comprised of many gifted missionaries that have created so many amazing tools and resources for the church worldwide. And I wanted to share some of them with you for such a time as this.

 #1::Our SentWell team in Malaga, Spain

Check Out: www.sentwell.org

I have personally benefitted from many articles and helps from these folks. (SentWell serves as the member care team for Novo, providing spiritual formation, counseling and much more.) They have a specific link for helping deal with Covid-related issues that affect us spiritually and emotionally as well as our physical well beings. I highly recommend “From Isolation to Invitation”, a retreat put together by some of our staff for this time of uncertainty. They even made one specifically for families. They also have various articles on all things related to our uncertain times, and the stress it puts on us. Check out the website and browse around. There is a lot to glean from them!

#2:: From our ReNew team. 

This gifted team has created a tool to help you connect with God during this time. Caring for our souls is more important than ever right now, so they created this tool for just that. It is free for you and anyone you might want to share it with. 
 

Check Out: A Sheltered Place: a resource for leaders in a time of crisis

#3:: From our Pioneering Initiatives Catalyze team.  
I LOVE this resource! These guys have a ministry friend, Nicole Rim, that has written two free e-books she has written entitled, King Covid and the Kids Who Cared (written for 4-6 year olds and 7-9 year olds) and King Covid and the King Who Cared (a discipleship version). 

Check Out: www.nicolerim.com

Download this free coloring book for you to use with your kids to help them cope with and be informed about Covid as they enter back into school (whatever that might look like!) It is written in several languages too. It’s well written and beautifully done!

I hope these resources might provide some encouragement in these uncertain times. (Let me know if you benefit from any of these!) 

I’m just so glad we are not alone, and we have one other. And, some gifted people to help us.

Ignorance is not bliss

Photo by Matheus Viana on Pexels.com

          I have found myself in a posture of listening, learning, mourning and repentance for a little over a couple years now. It first began when the team that I work with gathered in Memphis for our quarterly gathering. While we were in our friends’ home, they invited us to go to spend some time at the Civil Rights Museum, the exact building where Martin Luther King Jr. was shot. We spent several hours there, and it undid me. I had no idea what I didn’t know. I was alive when MLK was shot, but I was a child. I didn’t understand who he really was and how he was impacting the nation. (Which I still am mad about that he is not around today. Where would we be if he was alive today??? I digress…)  I also didn’t understand the civil rights movement. Until this day. I soaked it all in, the painful history of slavery through the civil rights movement to today. I let it all sink in, (as much as I could) and I was so convicted of my ignorance. How did I not know all of this? I felt so ashamed. It’s all been in plain sight, yet, I didn’t see it. I didn’t feel it. My blinders were on for so many years to all of the African Americans around me and around the world that have lived in so much pain. I mean I saw it, but it didn’t really touch me like it finally did this day.

            And today, that heaviness is still with me. It’s only intensifying due to all that is going on now. I feel such deep sadness for all of the pain that the black community has endured for so long. Way too long. Just because of the color of their skin. 

            So, I have been searching deep within myself, asking God to reveal to me any judgments and sin against people that are a different color than me. I really didn’t think I had any. But God showed me something different. The first sin that came up was ignorance. I mean I studied history, and I read that life was hard for them. I couldn’t believe that there was such a thing as the KKK and the white supremist/skinheads and what they stood for. It sickened me. But I thought they were the exception. I had no idea how other kinds of groups of people were still judging and spewing hate toward them like they do.

            Because of this revelation, I began to enter into a season of learning, of reading and watching movies that told the truth about history.  But I have learned the most by talking with my black and bi-racial friends that have lived this. I mostly ask questions and listened. And I am still learning. My mentor through this has been MLK. His sermons from his book, Strength to Love which was compiled by his wife, are not only educating me but moving me to change. There is so much I can quote from this book, but this is what he said on the topic of ignorance.

“They know not what they do,” said Jesus. Blindness was their besetting trouble. Unlike physical blindness that is usually inflicted upon individuals as a result of natural forces beyond their control, intellectual and moral blindness is a dilemma that man inflicts upon himself by his tragic misuse of freedom and his failure to use his mind to its fullest capacity. One day we will learn that the heart can never be totally right if the head is totally wrong.

Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. Somewhere along the way the church must remind men (and women), that devoid of intelligence, goodness and conscientiousness will become brutal forces leading to shameful crucifixions. Never must the church tire of reminding men that they have a moral responsibility to be intelligent. And if we are to call ourselves Christians, we better avoid intellectual and moral blindness. Throughout the New Testament we are reminded of the need for enlightenment. We are commanded to love God, not only with our hearts and souls, but also with our minds. We have a mandate both to conquer sin and also to conquer ignorance (Strength to Love, pp.39,40).

            He always says everything best, plus there are so many people talking that there are no more words from me. I just want to continue to … listen. Learn. Mourn. Repent. Will you join me, if you aren’t already? Listen to what the black community is saying. Listen to their pain, even if it is uncomfortable for you. Listen to God. Let Him speak to you about what He wants you to do. Repent? Mourn? Get educated? I believe God is speaking, we just need to hear what He has to say to us. Enlightenment will come. Then, since we don’t know how to pray, the Holy Spirit will move within us to pray, and the Father who can interpret His groans, will answer our prayers. (Romans 8:26,27) Then stuff happens.

            He will tell us what to do. As my bi-racial friend said to me yesterday, “Everyone can do something. But it will look different for each person. One might write a song. One might get on YouTube or Facebook to speak out. One might write. Not all of us have to hold a sign at the capital in protest. We just all need to do what God is speaking to us to do.” As we listen, then obey, our sphere of influence can change. And if everyone did that, change will spread.

             For some of us, the place to start is to educate our minds because if I want my heart right, my head has to go with it.

Here’s a link to an enlightening video that documents the American history of racism in a short but powerful 17 minutes. It struggles with the question, “Why are people so angry?”

Watch. Listen. Learn. 

Click here for video

 

 

Finally. I’m back.

Well, I have had it on my heart to do a new blog for over a year now, and all of my other work has taken precedent. One being travel. Until now.

I love to learn. I love to write. And, I got a new computer last week after my old one crashed. So, no more excuses.

I have chosen Mark 12:30-31 for the basis of this blog.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Why? Partly, because Jesus said that there’s nothing more important than these things. So, that’s a pretty good reason. But I also feel like it covers everything that we experience, want to grow in, want to learn about and struggle with how to live.  Because, if I am to love God with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind and all my strength, as well as love my neighbor, what does that look like practically? And how? Is it ever too late? For me or my kids? What if I’m tired? What if I don’t really care?

Well, hopefully this will be a place of encouragement and hope. A place where you might even learn something, or better yet, be challenged to live something. I know one thing, I’m in it too. I’ve made a bunch of mistakes and I’ve worked hard to right wrongs done by me or to me. So, hopefully from my thoughts and ramblings, you will see that you are not alone. And that there is hope for every part of us: heart, soul, mind, strength. And even some left over to give to our neighbor.

And another thing I know, I must take care of my heart, soul, mind and body in order to function at my best. And I must live from a healthy place in my heart, soul, mind and body too. So, we will talk a lot about that.

Each blog will (hopefully) fit in to one of these categories. Here are just a few things that might be talked about. Just a start….

Heart – Healing for… Expressing our emotions. Our feelings.

Soul – What is our purpose? Meaning for why we live? What spiritual disciplines can we practice for our soul? What are some ways to explore spiritual formation.

Mind – Inform our intellect. Share what we are learning. Believing the truth of who Christ says we are.

Strength – Our bodies. Physical stuff. Healthy living. Rest.

Neighbor – Who is our neighbor? How do we love them? What matters to them?

You get the gist… I have learned a lot in these %$ years, and I want to give it away. I have stories to tell that need to be told. I have places and experiences to share with you that have changed me. And I live each day grateful for all that God has done for me. I don’t deserve it, but I want to give him the credit, and give him the glory so my grandkids will hear how big and awesome and powerful our God is. And hopefully you will see that too!

 

 

Bringing our kids to Jesus this Christmas

 

Mark 10:13-16

“Let the children come to me! Don’t stop them!…. then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.”

As I read this passage this morning, I am placing myself in this scene. (Something I like to do often as I read the gospels. It has really brought me to a more intimate place with Jesus, as we discuss what is happening and what he wants me to learn or tell me about the story.) I love that parents are bringing their kids to Jesus, just to be in his presence, and if possible, to have him “touch them and bless them.” They wanted their kids to have an unforgettable encounter with Jesus.

I’d do that. I’d be one of the parents that would make sure that Jesus touched my kids. To bless them. Pray for them. Heal them. Speak prophetically over them. Love on them. And, even as a grandparent, I would have gladly taken my grandkids to Jesus, just in case their parents weren’t able to make it that day. I’d make my way, no matter how far it was, to bring them to him. I’d probably take pictures too. (Well, I probably wouldn’t since I always forget to take pictures now at important moments!)

One thing I heard from Jesus this morning as I sat in this scene, is how much he really loves kids. And that he wanted to prioritize them, so that they knew they were not only important to him, but that they could also receive from him. Kids hear from God. They are more than open to learning from him, to sit at his feet, (or in his lap!) and listen to him. They want to be brought to him to be touched and blessed by him. These encounters are life changing.

And so, I am committed to bringing Griffin (9), Saylor (4), Bostyn (9), Ezekiel (3) and Ezra (1), my grandchildren, to Jesus. I’m not always good at it, or as consistent as I’d like, but I want to be creative to make space for Jesus to touch and bless them. Because he really wants to.

One way my husband and I are going to do that this Christmas, is something we’ve come up with for their Christmas gift. Our grandkids have so many toys that we decided to create an “Adventure with Ima and Papa” instead of typical gifts. (Although I might need to make it look like a present to have them open something!) When they open it, we will make a date and give them some hints to their day with Ima and Papa, full of telling stories about Jesus, eating good food and making something together. I can’t wait. I think it might turn into a tradition, but we’ll have to see how it goes! And my hope and prayer is that they encounter Jesus, with his embrace of love. But if you see them within the next couple weeks, don’t mention it. It’s a surprise!

Is there something you can do with your kids or grandkids this Christmas, to bring them to Jesus, to create space for an encounter with him? One thing I know, is that he will show up, to “touch and bless them.”

Maybe you already do this. I’d love to hear about it.

(Oh, and this hilarious little guy pictured here is my youngest grandson, Ezra. He brings me LOTS of joy!)

Friendship, Favor and Freedom

These three words have been pregnant with meaning for me the past few months. It seems like the Lord keeps speaking them to me, in different ways, in different forms, in different areas of my life.

Friendship first came to me while I was reading a new devotional (well, new to me, but a classic) that a friend bought for me recently entitled, “Space for God” by Don Postema. In it he wrote:

 “I’ve come to believe that being a friend of God is a deeper basis for spirituality and       prayer than being a servant or even a child of God.”

Those words really hit me. Because when I first found Jesus late in my senior year of high school, I knew I wanted to serve him. So, my heart was set on doing that for many years, (well, hit and miss for the first few). Then, the realization that I was a child of God was HUGE for me. To know that I was adopted by my Father, chosen and loved and even received all that He has was even HUGE-ER (not a word, but you know what I mean). I lingered in that truth for a very long time. It changed my life. But, now I am in a season where I think I agree with Postema, that being a friend of God is an even deeper relationship in prayer than I’ve ever experienced. We are at a place in our relationship that is truly friendship. Friendship is easy. It’s comfortable (and I don’t mean so irreverently). He actually calls us friends and not servants, right? And because of many, many hours in quiet with him, I love that I am known and loved in his presence, and I know him better than I ever have, because of it. There is still a lot of discovery ahead, and I love that about friendship, too. There is so much joy as well. I am forever grateful for this eternal friendship. And I am enjoying it daily.

I am also learning to appreciate and even enjoy the season of friendship that I find myself in currently. You see, my husband and I have been in our local church as pastors for over 30 years, having many friendships inside and outside our church. And when we left local church ministry, we found it harder to find consistent community, to be honest. (Plus, we haven’t lived in Idaho that long, either.) So now, our main community is our kids and grandkids and it has been an incredible gift. We love it! But as far as friendships, we now have much of our community online. It’s crazy, but our closest friends live all over the country and even the world. It was hard at first for us, but through this word of friendship, He has shown me what a rich group of friends that He has given to us: friends that we carry each other’s burdens, laugh with, play hard with, love their kids and challenge each other in the things of God. Plus, we even get to be in the same room with them several times a year, and we make it a priority to do that because of what it does for our soul. I am so blessed by such rich relationships, and I’ve found that they don’t need to live down the street, as well as, embrace what God has given to me now.

Favor has also been a word that the Lord has spoken to me in many ways lately. He has given me favor these days…in my workplace, in my ministry, as a woman and even as a mom. I have prayed for it for a long time, and tried to position myself for it in the past. But, only God gives us favor and sometimes we don’t even notice it. Or maybe we notice it late. But, he has shown me many times and in many settings where this is true lately. And then he said to just walk in it. And so, I am learning to do that. Because it hasn’t always been true for me. I don’t take it lightly, and I acknowledge that it only comes from him. But I must be honest, it really feels good.

Freedom is such a powerful word. I want to walk in freedom in really, every area of my life. I mean, I have experienced a ton of freedom in this season of my life, but I want more. I want to be free in my relationships, not to carry stuff that is not mine to carry, and then not continue to worry about it. I want to be free to let things go, and let God take care of stuff, not me. I am learning to walk in freedom as a woman in leadership, as someone who doesn’t always need to think the same way as my co-workers, but to know that it is still the right way to think because I am just being who God made me to be. Even the current leadership team that I am on, (which is all men and myself), has really had an enormous impact on me in that way. Their belief in me and appreciation of my voice is freeing me to lead like never before, that’s for sure.

Friendship, favor and freedom is real, tangible and I am being made aware of how God is working these things in my life. How about you? Are you in a season of friendship with God? Do you sense his favor, or have you even thought about it? How is your freedom meter? Are you becoming more free or less free these days?

I bless you with deep, life-changing friendship with God and friends.
His unmerited and powerful favor on your life,
And the freedom to enjoy the life he intended for you.

The “M” word

Since the 21^st of March, I have been on a journey that is not unfamiliar to me, but not welcomed. That day, I had my usual six month check up with my dermatologist. And, that day, he found a spot on my chest, very near my collarbone, that he didn’t like. So, the soonest I could get another appointment to get it tested was 20 days later. I really didn’t think it was anything to worry about, although it looked different than any other kind of bad spot I’ve had. If you know me at all, you know I’m a pretty chill person. And so, I didn’t worry about it. I couldn’t really do anything about it anyway, so I waited. And prayed.

So, on April 10 it was sent to the lab, and last Friday my doctor called me to give me the results. Now, I knew it probably wasn’t a good sign that HE called. But, I thought when I heard his voice on the other end of the phone, “Maybe he’s just being nice and doing the calling himself.” Well, that wasn’t the case. He told me that the spot was melanoma. The “M” word. A word that I was determined to not ever hear for myself. And, again, if you know me even a little bit, you have heard me preach about wearing sunscreen. (And you hated hearing it from me every time you went out in the sun.) Plus, I witnessed my mom deal with the “M” word too many times. So, I was actually really surprised to hear my doctor say it on the other end of the phone. “Oh, crap” came out of my mouth. (I mean, I could’ve said worse.) He was patient with me, while the news sunk in. And he even wanted to remove it that day, but it was Friday afternoon, so I had to wait. Again.

The good news is, it was not very deep. And we were both incredibly grateful that he found it early.

At 8:15 yesterday morning, my doctor cut and pulled and yanked at my chest and got that foreign spot out of my body. Now, I pray, with a host of so many of my friends, teammates and family, that the pathology will come back proving that he got it all.

These are all the facts, but I haven’t really shared with you the emotion that emerged within me. From the day it was biopsied to today, so many feelings…

I felt scared. Lonely. Angry. Confused. Depressed. Disappointed. Nervous. And, at the same time I felt peaceful. Loved. Cared for. Hopeful.

On Monday, I just happened to read Psalm 44 and the Lord really spoke to me through it.

O God, we have heard it with our own ears—
our ancestors have told us
of all you did in their day,
in days long ago:
² You drove out the pagan nations by your power
and gave all the land to our ancestors.
You crushed their enemies
and set our ancestors free.
³ They did not conquer the land with their swords;
it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory.
It was your right hand and strong arm
    and the blinding light from your face that helped them,
    for you loved them.

⁴ You are my King and my God.
You command victories for Israel.^[b]
5 Only by your power can we push back our enemies;
    only in your name can we trample our foes.
⁶ I do not trust in my bow;
    I do not count on my sword to save me.
⁷ You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies;
you disgrace those who hate us.
⁸ O God, we give glory to you all day long
and constantly praise your name.    NLT  (Italics are mine.)

 Only by YOUR power can we push back our enemies (like sickness and disease).
Only in YOUR name can we trample our foes (like the “M” word).
I do not trust in my bow (or the doctor’s skilled hands);
I do not count on my sword (or his scalpel) to save me.
YOU are the one who gives me victory over my enemy (cancer.)
And so, I give you glory all day long and constantly praise your name.

This is what I stand on today. He defeats my enemy, which just happens to be a deadly, stupid spot on my skin.

What is the enemy that you are fighting today? By His power and His name, may He give us both the victory we are asking for.

 

 

 

 

 

amazing grace

 

Last week was the fourth anniversary of my mom’s passing. And when I think about her journey from this life into the next, I recognize how long and painful it was for her. She entered hospice (due to a long struggle with COPD) where this disease finally took her nearly two years later. She slowly went from a wild and crazy lady, full of life, laughter and fun, to being weak, exhausted and frail. Although she struggled with her physical body, her mind (and her tongue) stayed sharp. Like always.

But, with her mind so clear, it was hard for her to just lie there, day after day, in her hospital bed, in her bedroom, and think, not being able to go anywhere except in her mind. She thought about good memories throughout her 86 years, but she also thought about the painful ones. The pain she endured, and, the pain she caused.

The ironic beautiful thing about this, is that she met with Jesus there. In her hospital bed, in her bedroom, in her safe place. She confessed. She processed the pain from my dad and others that hurt her. And He listened and forgave her for everything she ever did. And let me tell you, she was no saint. I bear witness of that. But, she met with a God that was full of grace and love and forgiveness. She met with a God that would take her just as she was. And He did. Just in time.

My husband and I got to be by her bedside when she died. It was really a beautiful thing. I am so grateful to have been there with her. She was so afraid to die. She wasn’t afraid of eternal life, and she was excited to see her parents and my brother. No, she was afraid to miss anything here on earth. She loved life and living so much, that she was afraid to miss out on a celebration, or a party, a new country to travel to or meeting a new friend. But, on February 1, she gave up the long fight to stay alive. She entered Jesus’ arms of love gently, carefully, intentionally.

You see, He didn’t have to take her. She did some pretty awful things. Sometimes her words could cut like a knife. But His grace really is amazing. And it’s way bigger than her sin.

This Jeremy Riddle song has really meant a lot to me, when I think of my mom and the grace Jesus showed her.

“This is amazing grace.
This is unfailing love.
That you would take my place.
That you would bear my cross.
You would lay down your life, that I would be set free.
Jesus, I sing for, all that you’ve done for me.”

I know He did it for her. I know He took her to heaven to be with him, because He loves her like crazy and because that’s just who He is and why He came. But, when I sing that last line of the song, I also thank Him for doing that for me too. He gave me a gift, by forgiving my mom and taking her to paradise, because nothing means more to me than that.

Someday we will celebrate in heaven together. But today, what would have been my mom’s 90^th birthday, I will celebrate her here.

Because I’m pretty sure there’s a party for her in heaven today. And she probably planned it!

How has this amazing grace touched your life lately? How have you been shown this kind of love? I’d love to hear.

Don’t miss it

 

Typically, as a new year approaches, I like to spend some time with God in anticipation of the new year. My husband and I will make some plans for the year, put our travels on the calendar and talk about our priorities and passions. We pray together to get God’s heart for what He has for us in the year ahead, also asking for things on our heart for the same.

I also like to ask him if he wants to say anything to me ahead of time about the new year ahead. Maybe a word or phrase to live by, to be reminded of. If not, that’s ok too. But I just want to hear his voice, and maybe be alerted to or step into something he might have for me.

 

So, I did that this past week. I’ve been pretty sick, so I’ve been sitting around more than normal, but positioned to hear from the Lord in that place for sure. As I took a bath to relax and feel a little better, I started asking the Lord if he had something to say to me about 2018. I didn’t hear a word. I didn’t even hear a directive phrase. But, a prayer came out instead.

 

Because what also informed my time in the tub, (you know you have random places where God meets you too) was the news of a friend of mine’s death on Christmas day. I didn’t stay in touch with him after high school much, except we both went to San Diego State, so we crossed paths there a few times. But I do know that Rick loved Jesus. I saw on FB that he was married and had a son. And it’s just not ok with me that he is already gone. Life is too short. Way too short. He left this earth too soon. So, when I asked the Lord to speak to me, this prayer came out.

 

“Lord, don’t let me miss a thing that you have for me.”

 

I don’t want to miss something that God is up to.

I don’t want to miss an opportunity, a moment, a prayer, an encounter, a friend, a relationship, a leader, a chance to go somewhere, a chance to share you with someone, an opportunity to heal or be healed, a truth, a word, a connection, your voice, a divine appointment, an answered prayer, an event, a celebration or even some fun.

 

I don’t want to let fear keep me from anything that God has for me, or what he has for me to give to or do for someone else.

 

I want all that God has for me in 2018. And, I’m realistic enough and been around long enough to know that it’s not all easy or fun. And I’ve also been around long enough and taken enough risks to know that it’s totally worth it. For me and hopefully for someone else.

But, I just don’t want to miss a thing. And with it being January 1, 2018, and this is on my mind and heart, and knowing that Jesus will answer my prayers, I’m pretty sure I won’t miss a thing. (Unless I’m stubborn, or lazy or not paying attention, which has definitely happened.)

 

How about you?

My encouragement to you is don’t miss anything that God has for you this year. Step into whatever he says, does or invites you into. He is trustworthy, and actually, in control of what happens in the end. But, as one author puts it, “We just don’t know how fast the grains of sand are dropping through the hour glass.” But I do know, it sure seems like they are dropping fast.

 

So, let’s not miss a thing. This new year or any year.

890 Jantail Court

This past week we sold our house in Redding. It was kind of an emotional week for me.

 

I have learned to grieve through the years. I don’t enjoy it, it’s not my favorite thing to do, but I know it’s necessary. And maybe it seems weird to grieve the loss of an object, but it wasn’t just that. I mean, I loved our house. It was a perfect size for our family and a great neighborhood with awesome neighbors. We even got to write scripture verses as a family on the framing of our house while it was being built. It was definitely built in love. I also loved my kitchen where I had the room to create some new dish (which happened often! Thank goodness my kids were always game!) I learned to garden there and love it. (Even in the Redding heat with red clay soil!) Plus, my pride and joy was the maple tree in the front yard that all of our neighbors loved! Living in a cul-de-sac was amazing for our boys who loved to make ramps and skateboard in the street the with all their buddies.

No, it was grieving ­– actually more the loss of a season of our lives. It was about the zillions of memories that it held. You see, our home was known as a house of peace. A retreat of sorts. It was a retreat for my husband and kids, (that I strived to create), a safe place from the outside craziness of all of our lives. So that when they walked in the door, and closed it behind them, they could be themselves and relax. No judgment. No outside expectations. Just be. And I really felt that this was important as a pastors’ family.

 

890 Jantail Court was a place for our family of five to laugh, cry, create, dream alone and together.

It was a place where many ministries were born as emerging leaders gathered in our living room. They deconstructed the church and then recreated it. They were also allowed to dream big and they did. And then they actually acted on it.

There were many meals and talks over the counter in our kitchen. So many conversations where we celebrated together and some conversations that were difficult. That’s real life.

So many fun memories at our dinner table with our kids every night. They made us laugh so hard, and it was a place where we processed our days. Probably a little too much sarcasm but we tried to keep it in love.

I loved our kids coming in at night into our bedroom where they would run down the hall and fly into our bed, (quite literally) where we talked about the day: the boys’ girlfriend problems or our daughter’s issues with the mean girls. High school was amazing and hard. For all of us.

Some of my favorite memories are of the countless Christmas parties for our staff and leadership where we took all of our furniture out of the living room and then lined it with long tables where we ate and celebrated what God had done that year at Risen King and in our lives. (Except one year I had so many guests that I had to put a table outside on our patio. It was a little cold. But, I did have a heater out there. Just didn’t ever do that again!)

 

So, now, we hand off 890 Jantail Court to a new family. One that we know and love. And they are honoring those memories, the legacy that we are leaving of peace, equipping and loving on young leaders, and raising kids in a house of grace. I am so grateful for the life we had there. Now, it’s time for our friends to take it and go beyond where we went. Pretty sure they will.

And, so we are released to truly land in our new house, already making some special memories in a new season of our lives at 17128 Solomon Drive.

 

 

yes or no?

 

Jeremiah 1:4-10

⁴ The Lord gave me this message:

⁵ “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.
Before you were born I set you apart
and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

⁶ “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”

⁷ The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. ⁸ And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” ⁹ Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said,

“Look, I have put my words in your mouth!
¹⁰ Today I appoint you to stand up
against nations and kingdoms.
Some you must uproot and tear down,
    destroy and overthrow.
Others you must build up
    and plant.”

 

I just read this passage this morning and I love it. Our purpose and assurances are all summed up, right here. This is God’s call on my life. On your life. And all you have to do, is say yes or no to it. Simple as that. And if you say yes, this is what you are saying yes to.

• Go where He sends you.
• Say what He tells you to say.
• Don’t be afraid.
• Remember that He is with you. Everywhere you go. All the time.
• Remember that He will give you the words to say. Every time you open your mouth when He tells you to.
• Reassure yourself that He is protecting you. Without exception.

 

Pretty simple. Yet, huge.

 

We are appointed to do kingdom work. And if we say yes, then things will happen. Really happen. Things will be uprooted, torn down, destroyed and overthrown. Because He told you to and you said yes, and did it. And it’s only through His power, nothing of our own. And because of His direction and anointing.

Some things will be built up and planted, things will be in existence because you said yes. That’s a pretty big deal. And because He gives us everything we need, we don’t need to be afraid of anyone or anything. I know it may seem impossible, or at least not that easy. And maybe you think it’s for someone else, and not you. You might think you are too young, or too old, or not gifted enough or don’t know enough. That’s a lie. And it says here in this passage, we will have everything we need for this.

 

The thing is, if you say yes, lives will be different. And I’m guessing your life is different because someone said yes.

 

So, please say yes. Today. Don’t waste any time. There’s a lot to be done. And not a lot of time to do it.