You're Gonna Make It

Not knowing what to expect at any given time is very frightening for some. The unknown looms large and unwelcome. Just taking one trusting step after another is the hardest thing in the world. All the what if’s and maybe’s crowd our minds leaving no room for God’s sweet presence. Fear comes and takes over. Uncertainty follows close behind. Turmoil fills our soul. Questions begin to plague and we wonder if God can. The storm clouds roll in, black and dangerous. Lighting flashes and thunder rolls. Rain comes in sheets. The waves crash, threatening to sink our small vessel.

Completely overwhelmed and not knowing what else to do, we close our eyes and whisper, “Jesus!” In the midst of the noises around us, we hear a voice answer, calling our name. Stunned, we listen harder. Did we really hear that, or is it just our imagination? Again comes that still, small voice calling our name. We stop trying to steer thru the storm and listen again. The voice gets stronger, and this time, we recognize it. Jesus! Immediately, a ray of hope shines thru the clouds. He did come!! We call His name again, and, again, we hear His voice. The ray of hope gets bigger. Peace starts to venture in. Fear begins to recede. Maybe, just maybe, we can make it thru this unknown!

Sometimes He calms the storm, and other times He calms His child. Either way, His peace floods our soul. Questions receive answers. Joy returns. Looking around, we realize that the storm isn’t quite as bad as we thought. He reminds us of the time He told His disciples, “Let’s cross over to the other side.” (Mark 4:35) Reassurance takes up residence. He’s not going to leave us stranded. He won’t take us just part way. He said we’re going all the way to the other side! We CAN make it!!!

So, dear friends, no matter what comes your way today, know that you will come out the other side shining like gold, if you let God take you thru it. God is on your side and He still knows your address. You’re gonna make it- you’ve got what it takes to win. You’re gonna make it- just as long as you and Jesus stay friends.

Salut!

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

2 Corinthians 3:2 (MSG)You yourselves are all the endorsement we need. Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you.

People watch you every day, especially because you’re so different. You stand out. You do things differently. Your thought process is so completely different than the norm. You deal with situations differently. You react differently than what people expect. Because of this, sometimes people will do things or say things just to evoke a reaction, hoping it will be the way they would react, yet knowing in their heart it won’t be. 

Your reaction to their actions is so all important; much more important than we may realize. You’ve heard, I’m sure, the saying “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” It’s true in the spiritual world as well. 

Someone cuts you off in traffic, doesn’t get over when you’re trying to merge, sticks to your tail... What’s your reaction? Driving one time in very heavy rush hour traffic that was slowed because of a wreck, I followed the progress of a little red sports car. The driver was in a HURRY to get somewhere and cut off every person he could, and every time he’d change lanes, the lane he got in would stop. He was extremely frustrated and it showed in his driving. He made a lot of people mad and almost caused several more wrecks. As we finally passed the wreck, the sports car pulled off. Someone he knew- a loved one, maybe- was involved in the wreck. His world had completely fallen apart and he had to fight to get to where he needed to be. Not being able to explain this to the other drivers was aggravating when people wouldn’t let him go to where he needed. Peoples’ reactions to his aggressive driving put others in danger. Seeing him pull over and park at the scene of the wreck, though, caused my aggravation and frustration at him to immediately evaporate and be replaced with sorrow for the man. Could he have made it to his loved one quicker if I’d been a little more patient and let him in? If my reaction to his insane driving been different, could I have helped him better?

A poem to ponder.... It’s written from the perspective of a child, but I think the principle can be applied to others as well. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my 

first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each
other. 

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of 

your time and money to help people who had nothing,
and I learned that those who have something should
give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care 

of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and
wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.' 

Let’s put another spin on this poem- 

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you curse at that person in traffic because they cut you off. 

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you yell at your coworker when what had happened had nothing to do with them, but you didn’t take the time to figure out what really went on. 

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you lash out in anger at a child. 

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you laugh when someone got hurt. 

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you make fun of a person’s problem that they can’t do anything about.....

 It works both ways- we have a positive influence or a negative one. 

We go thru life instinctively reacting to the words, situations and actions of others. But if we could see people thru God’s eyes and see where the words and actions are coming from and why they’re really being said, our perspective would change. When our perspective changes, our reaction to what was said or done changes. When our reaction changes, the impact of our reaction changes. We would affect people differently. 

There you have it, dear friends- what is your reaction?

Salut!

Dancing in the Rain

Storms- we all have them in our lives. Sometimes it seems they go on forever- thunder roaring, lightning flashing, torrential rains.... Questions swirling, uncertainty surfacing, fear prevalent.... Sound familiar? Yet, Psalm 56:3 says (in Douglas's translation), “In my moments of fear, I will be content with the security You provide.” 

Being content is so much easier said than done. Who wants to be happy with an $8 an hour job? But, I don’t miss church and I am able to spend time with my family. If I took the job offer for $15 an hour, I wouldn’t be able to spend time with my family. I would have to pay someone else to watch my children. So, I sigh and thank God for what He’s blessed me with already and plod on. In doing so, I might as well give a skip and hop, too. I can’t complain and be thankful at the same time. 

Ungratefulness stems from a lack of contentment in God’s provision. If God can’t give me what I need, then how in the world do I cope?? God doesn’t always give me what I think I need. He gives me what He knows I need. 

In Jeremiah 17:5, God curses the man who trusts in himself. Self made people do not depend on God. They become ungrateful for what God has blessed them with, because they think everything they’ve achieved in life and have acquired has been done by their own hand. And so they strive for bigger and better, trying to outdo the people around them; they are not content with the things they have and all they have done. 

Verse seven of Jeremiah 17 gives us hope. God blesses the man who places his trust in Him. Working that $8 an hour job puts stress in my life to pay the bills. (I am becoming much more thankful for junk mail!!!) With the economy spiraling downwards out of control, the pressure is on just to keep my head above water by paying the basics, forget all the things on my wish list. 

So, do I grumble and gripe about not having enough money? Yes, for a bit, I do (if I’m honest!). But I can’t stay there long- I must get out of the molly grubs and put a hop in my step, for I remember the promises of God. He’ll never leave nor forsake me. If I seek His kingdom first, all will be added to me. He is my provider. Don’t worry about my bills- I’ll make my requests known to God, and His peace will guard my heart. And the dance starts to move from my heart to my feet...

We’ve all heard the scripture many times in Phillipians 4: 11 where Paul says he has learned to be content in whatever situation he finds himself. And we’re all familiar with what comes two verses later- “I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.” But have you tied the two verses together? Being content in my situation gives me the ability to do all things thru Christ who is my strength. 

That came as a startling revelation! A vital key to being able to do what God has called me to do is to be content in my every situation. Sure it’s easy to be content when things are going my way and the sun is beaming on my face. But when the storm clouds start to gather.... Well, that’s a different story. It shouldn’t be- if I can learn to be content, I will be have learned to dance in the rain, and the storm will be over before I know it.

So, dear friends, be content. Be thankful for the many blessings of God and dance like only He’s watching. Your storm will pass and you will make it thru to the other side for He’s promised to take you there- that means no drowning!!

Salut!

Introduction

At one of our Bible studies recently, we were asked what we would say if we were given 10 minutes to describe ourselves. My mind went blank. What in the world would I say?!? Normally, I have high self esteem; I don’t really care what others think of me (as long as it’s all good thoughts!), but I don’t like to brag on myself. I will give my opinion when asked (and sometimes even when not asked!) and inform you of my likes and dislikes, but to describe myself? Now that’s a tough one! And yet, that’s what I’m going to attempt to do. 

As many of you know, I’m from Canada, and, basically, that’s all you know. Let me fill you in on the rest of the nitty gritty details... Canada is basically the same as the States; country is country and people are people. It is a lot colder up there, but that’s about it. I was born on the east coast and moved out west to Calgary, Alberta when I was 3. I got the Holy Ghost at age 5 and  attended Bro. Johnny King’s church until I was 18 when my dad took our family on the road evangelizing. (More on that later.)

My dad did construction work. My mom taught at the Christian church school I graduated from at the age of 18. My sister was just my sister- in other words, we didn’t get along. She is 6 years younger than I... That explain anything? 

I enjoyed school; that is, I enjoyed lunch and breaks and anytime I could get away with talking to my friends or fooling around. I did well, even not paying attention. Of course, I didn’t do nearly as well as I could have had I applied myself, but I think that’s something we have to learn the hard way. 

I had friends growing up, but no real best friend. I found the girls were too petty, but, I wasn’t a guy, so it was a challenge. Much to my dismay, my house was not Grand Central Station. My poor parents are not really “people persons”, so I was stuck with getting hang out time whenever I could at school. It didn’t bother me too much; that’s just the way it was. Besides, I always had my sister to pick a fight with if my book wasn’t good enough...

I was- and still am when I have the time- a bookworm. My favorite place was the library. All those books became my friends. I have so many special memories of things that happened at the library and many books that have a place in my heart. 

One month after I graduated, my dad packed our family into a 21 ft travel trailer and we went on the road. Sounds glamorous, but, believe me, the sparkle quickly fades. It was not easy as an 18 year old girl with no personal space. I couldn’t turn around without bumping into someone. Then, we added 2 cats to the mix. God blessed us with a longer trailer- 36 ft, and we thought we’d made it to heaven. It even had a bedroom!!

Many of my favorite memories of being on the road center around the many conferences we were able to attend and the preachers and their families we were able to meet. I had many happy times sitting around a dinner table listening as the goodness of God was talked about. 

I made many friends on the road, some of which still remain close today. One of these friends became my husband and best friend. We just celebrated our 10th anniversary, and they have been the best 10 years of my life.... Interesting, crazy years I wouldn’t trade for the world.

After marrying the man of my dreams- yes, he’s definitely worth the wait!!- I attend Pastor Todd Nance’s church here in Kansas City. We have served as the youth leaders in our church but resigned that a year or so ago in order to serve the youth of the whole state as best we can. I play the piano in our church, and wish that God would somehow fix the short in the wiring that is somewhere between my brain and my hands so I could actually play what’s in my head. (Maybe it’s a good thing He hasn’t!!)

Other than serving as the district youth president’s wife and pastoral assistant’s wife, I am the mother of 5 amazing children. We fostered Hailey and Janessa for 2 years before signing the adoption papers. Then, we had our “selfish” baby, Kyzer. We wanted to see what the whole pregnancy, birth, first 8 month deal was all about. And, in one of his many insane moments, my husband said he’d like a large family. The good Lord heard this and remembered it. He has blessed us with twins- a boy, Zander, and a girl, Londyn,- that were born February 18. 

And my hobbies? Well, I do have one, believe it or not. I still love to read, but I also really enjoy working with my hands, and so I quill. Quilling or paper filigree is the art of rolling thin strips of paper into different shapes and using the shapes to form designs. (Got that as a direct quote off the internet.) I don’t get to spend the time on it I wish I could, but maybe someday. 

God has recently blessed us with the opportunity to start a work in Mission, KS called Pure Life. We meet at Panera Bread on Thursday evenings and have a very modern Bible study- use your laptop, eat a pasty and drink coffee!! Services are being held at the community center in Mission on Sunday afternoons. God has met us there every time, and has given us favor in the eyes of the people. 

I have a burden for the young people of this state and will do my best to let God use me to put His fingerprints on each of you. I pray that as you read this (and I promise to write often) that something I write inspires and encourages you.

Now you know my story. I’m sure I took longer than my 10 minutes, but at least you know my background and a few of my likes and dislikes. I know this is extremely condensed, but I will do my best to post when I get the chance. So, you will be hearing more from me, and maybe you’ll learn just what kind of person I am by reading my ramblings.

Salut!