WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS...GIVE ME JESUS!

So my dates with Jesus has gone south...permanently. I completely and utterly failed this goal.

Did it fail because I was utterly and horribly busy planning a house, going to school, learning new things, adjusting to life as it threw curve ball after curve ball? Possibly.

Did it fail because I had a flare from my autoimmune disease that left me down for the count for a few weeks? Maybe.

Did it fail because I chose to focus my efforts on my husband and his new health and wellness plan, or on my daughter's upcoming wedding, or my other daughter's move home? Feasibly.

But making excuses really isn't the answer in this situation. It's a priority thing. If I had truly made this a priority then it would have happened the way I'd envisioned...maybe...

Thankfully God didn't give up on me! He continued to prod and tug gently at my heart and whispered sweet words of grace and mercy. And that tugging and prodding brought me back to where I began with my well-intentioned goal for the year. Rather than trying to creatively meet with Jesus - I have been giving him the first part of my day. After several weeks of intentional pursuit of my Savior - God has affirmed my commitment with this precious hand-made birthday gift from my sweet friend which currently graces our front room and will be a beautiful addition to our farmhouse!

Another reminder came from Sara's current Bible study she's participating in long distance with her older sister, my eldest daughter Bethany. What a blessing to see my girls studying the Word together! What in inspiration for me to dig deeper. We've been reading the chapters of their book while driving (we do that A LOT around here.) The most recent chapter had a verse that struck me to the core. 

"Lord remind me how brief my time on earth will be.

Remind me that my days are numbered - how fleeting my life is."

Psalm 39:4

That's when it struck me - when I reach the other side, when I am heaven bound, I will no longer live with the free will that I have here on this earth - I will be in His presence and KNOW all those things I've questioned. I will be in His presence and know that I cannot help but praise Him for all His goodness. But right now...RIGHT NOW I am in a place where I can effectively serve Him and shine His light for the world to see. 

I tried hard to make those Dates with Jesus. I tried hard to spend time with the Lord. But that's when I realized I had the wrong approach. Spending time with my best friend should never be HARD. 

Another profound revelation came through Psalm 40:17 where the psalmist prays this - "Let the Lord keep me in His thoughts." God actually can keep me in His thoughts? How did I never think of it this way? Where have I missed the mark? Why has it taken 20+ years in Christ to understand this? But there it is plain as day...

"Let the Lord keep me in His thoughts."

And so I digress...dates with Jesus are out the door. Intentional and eagerly awaited morning time with my Savior are IN! When all else fails...GIVE ME JESUS! 

Lessons from a Centurion (Date #3)

Tools are a beautiful thing when it comes to putting things together. But not all tools are made of graphite or steel or have the Phillips or flathead, or batteries or are yellow and black (but those are glorious things!) For me I find my greatest and most inspiring tools in life have been books. I am not your typical reader though. I have enjoyed my share of fictional works and truly enjoy the classics, but I find myself drawn to those books that challenge you to focus on the Savior. Whether it’s a marriage book, a leadership book, a book on purity or prayer or spiritual disciplines, I devour books that are written with a great love for the Lord and draw you in to those moments of spiritual bliss and revelation. Here are a few that have fed my soul deeply and transformed my life over the years.

Each of these had depth and transformed me in how I viewed my Savior, myself and those around me. They are fantastic tools. But there are some that I just keep going back to. I am sad that I cannot locate my all time favorite – Andrew Murray’s Absolute Surrender, and my other A.W. Tozer books because ANY Tozer is fantastic, but these are precious gems as well…

However, the ones I want to focus on today are these…

Each one is a different "version" - the top one is an inductive study Bible in the ESV, the little one is my NIV, the brown one is my NLT (this is my current go-to Bible that I've been reading through) and my Ryrie study Bible is NASB. Each has it's place in my heart for studying God's Word. The newest addition I introduced in the last post is simply called "The Books of the Bible." I do not own a chronological Bible so this is my first experience with something along those lines. Spending the next 40 days reading through it is exciting to me. Since I'm 2 days into it, I only have 38 days left. Today's reading is from Luke and focused on the ministry of Jesus. Here's the one of the passages I read and what it meant to me...

"When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, [he had just been preaching the sermon on the mount, in Luke it's abbreviated, but for a fuller picture of the sermon you can read in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5-7.] he entered Capernaum. There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, 'This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.' So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: 'Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it.' When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, 'I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.' Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well." 

So here I was on my date with Jesus and instead of finding Christ, I found a centurion! 

Let's look at this man for a moment. 

He's a centurion - a Roman army officer.

He values his servants and those who work under him.

He is highly esteemed by the Jews in the area, is respected by them and helped them build their synagogue.

He has good friends. 

He is humble..."Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you."

He is a man of great faith..."But say the word and my servant will be healed."

He knows Jesus is a great man with heavenly authority. 

This man's testimony was used to glorify God among the Jews. Jesus followers were the Jewish people, but the impact of His ministry while he walked this earth was far reaching. So great, that even the Roman Centurion recognized it and humbly requested Christ to show him favor. 

I love Jesus reaction to this man's faith - "he was amazed at him." How cool is that to know that man can amaze God. That's the kind of faith I long for, I desire, I want to overflow with. Faith that amazes my Savior! 

52 DATES WITH JESUS - Reading His Love Letter

Cultivating a relationship can be tough. And it is really hard when you just don't have time. I think one of the greatest struggles in our society is how easily we can fill our time with frivolousness. I challenge you (as I am challenging myself) just time yourself for a couple days, write down everything you do and how long you do it. From the time you rise until your head hits the pillow, what is occupying your time. You and I are probably going to be dreadfully surprised at what we find.

In pursuing these Dates with Jesus and determining in my heart that I desire to know Him more intimately I have been convicted that I long for this same connection with my spouse. I think it stems from the stress I've been experiencing at work. My time has been divided between the work and school and there has been little time left for my man. This isn't healthy and it is showing. I have so many excuses - from lack of time to I honestly don't feel well - my health took a nose dive when all the stress hit. I am so blessed by the ways that Lord places things on my heart and then gently weighs in on me until I respond.

I apologize now if this seems an eclectic collection of thoughts or if this just seems to ramble. I think I just need to unload my mind of all the craziness that is bouncing around in it.

SO back to cultivating a relationship. I want to know Jesus more intimately right? Well, what better way than to read about Him. To dig deep and ponder the precious words penned into the Bible? On Sunday I found this amazing tool that, in just two days, has begun to open up a deeper knowledge of the Lord and His ministry.

It presents the New Testament in more of a comprehensive, chronological order that has blown me away. In just 40 days I will have the entire New Testament read! :)
It's like reading a love letter only it is a few hundred pages long...

Along with all of this I am trying to catch up with school, I've quit my job and am starting a new one in a week and I have been brainstorming some creative dates. So far here's what I've come up with...

Photography Nature Walks - just breathing in and admiring His Creation!
Coffee Date (or tea as the case may be) - with my journal and my Bible.
Dinner for two - setting up an intimate dinner at my house sometime just the "two" of us. :)
Early to Rise - getting up with the sun and taking in the sunrise with Him.
Midnight Prayer - getting up in the middle of the night for some conversation.
Pillow Talk - just laying in bed and chatting away (I do this to Daryl a lot poor guy...)

What are some ideas you may have?

Late Night Date with the Holy One (DATE #2)

Date #2 was a late night date with the Holy One.

I was restless, I couldn't sleep, couldn't think, couldn't quit tossing and turning and figured it would be best to just get up and go meet with my friend. I love late night chats. They can be silly, fun, intimate, sweet...but this one had me thoroughly blown away by His goodness, grace and mercy. 

I found myself truly inspired and profoundly convicted. As I reviewed sermon notes, read through scripture, and then began journaling I soon determined I was being led in a certain direction. A topic for our late night date conversation. It was OBEDIENCE.

There were a multitude of references throughout the week, the weekend, the sermon, my quiet times, and even random scriptures passages and now my date. It inevitably led to a cryptic conversation that always came back to the idea of obedience and my personal lack thereof. 

The conversation started out with the realization in scripture that to achieve success one must be obedient. It's all over the Bible, but I seemed to lack practical understanding so I asked, "How do I find this?" I soon determined that I needed to ruminate on the passages of scripture I have been studying in order provide access to my thoughts and actions DAILY, sometimes even moment by moment and in doing so I would open my heart and mind to His direction. As I read Psalm 37:23-24 I realized that He actually loves directing my steps. He even delights in EVERY detail of my life!!! How cool is that??? 

Reading further in Psalms I was reminded that I can make plans, but His purpose will prevail. In some respects a person might find that statement to be defeating - but it's not! It's actually freeing. In my mind I kept thinking, "You mean no matter how bad I mess things up, He will accomplish what He desires through me?" In essence yes - it's promised that "He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it." Granted we must choose His path, His ways, and obey His commands. I mean, I can't just accept Him and go on my merry way and keep feeding the sin in my life and anticipate He will be glorified. Just doesn't happen. That's why it's so important for me to spend time meditating on His Words, allowing them to penetrate into the deepest recesses of my heart and mind and transform them, thereby creating a vessel that is ready to be used. 

As our conversation progressed I found that if I love Him, keeping His commands is not burdensome, it can be a joyful experience and in the end Obedience = Blessing...
And that reminded me of  Pastor's statement that "WE KNOW SO MUCH MORE OF THE BIBLE THAN WE'VE BEGUN TO LIVE YET." 

This statement is so true of my walk with the Lord. I may have a lot of head knowledge but I need to work on developing that heart knowledge, I need to work on my obedience. 

And as I turned to Scripture to figure out where to start I was directed to 1 John 5:21 "Dear Children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your heart."

WOW! I am so deeply convicted that I immediately began searching for those things that take God's place in my heart and working on removing them. 

And there my friends is an excellent date for you. One where deep things are discussed and you walk away convicted yet encouraged. It's a beautiful thing! 

FIRST DATE FAIL

This would have been the first date night...WOULD being the operative word here.
I feel like such a failure.
My situation at work was bleak today and I let it get me down instead of rising above it. I even streamed praise and worship music for almost two full hours while I, feeling annoyed and stressed, pecked away at my keyboard recreating a report I'd lost due to the demise of my work laptop. I left in a huff practically stomping out and possibly slamming the door - the wind may have helped a little in that regard. I threw my bags in my car and started the long drive home.

I was fed up.
The stress of this place is starting to take it's toll on my health, or it may have been the fact I had not eaten anything all day and didn't take the time to get away and grab lunch. Whose fault was that anyway?

The negative thoughts droned on, I thought calling Daryl and Bailey while they were on the road home would help, but instead I simply burst into tears as soon as they answered the phone.

REALLY?!?! What is wrong with me?!

I stewed on it the majority of the drive home. Thoughts of quitting my job didn't even bring relief, just more and more indignation. Would this ever end?

Then it hit me. I planned a date...tonight...and my heart was not in the right place. Rather than go into this with the wrong attitude, I decided to reschedule my date and began thinking about where I wanted to start with this. After my temper tantrum filled day, I decided that a good start would be creating the proper focus for my dates.

SO, I have decided to use a journal - one where I can record my thoughts, revelations and even my conversations with Jesus. And I have decided that I would start with...ADORATION.

I really cannot believe how difficult this is. I thought I adored God. But in reality - I think I adore myself more. Sounds conceited? But it's true. I spend more time primping and checking myself in the mirror, taking selfies, etc. I am self-centered and this needs to change and it needs to change now.

For my first date I am going to spend the time sharing with God what it is that I adore, admire, worship about Him. All this is going in my journal because I want to be able to reflect back on this first date and see how I dug deep within the recesses of my soul.

I am looking forward to my first date now, with hopeful anticipation that I will pull out some honest, pure and praiseworthy adoration!

WELCOME BACK! NEW YEAR's CHALLENGE!

WOW! It's been a very LLLOOONNNGG time!
I am SO sorry I've stayed away so long! Time got away from me and I have been battling a few things of my own - but I am ready for 2015 and I am ready to begin new things - including picking up old-new things like this blog!

I am going to make this one short and sweet and add another post (already) to go along with this one! YAY!

First let me start by saying you truly are precious friends to me. I love that you share in my world, with my challenges, and know my heart. You truly are special to me, every last one of you! It's my prayer that you would consider a 2015 challenge with me. Basically it's 52 dates...yep dates. But here's the catch - they are dates with Jesus. Hanging out with the One and Only. The Great I Am. The wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Mighty God...well you get the picture! Sounds strange? Maybe. But really, how much time do we spend building relationships? Shouldn't we consider doing the same with our savior? Seeking Him has to be intentional Seriously, married or single we ALL need Jesus. SO schedule a date with the King of kings. Be creative! Have fun! Be thoughtful. This does not replace your devotional time however, it can enhance it! I hope and pray it will bring even greater depth to your relationship with the giver of grace, love, peace and joy!

I intend to post once a week about my experiences and maybe give some thoughts and ideas to get you started. Feel free to share in the comments below or join our Facebook group Sanctify Sisterhood - just private message and we'll get you going!

Until then! Blessings and may your 52 dates with the Great I Am be AMAZING! :)

PUTTING YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS?

There are so many things going through my mind lately. It's difficult to be the one who created a ministry and then have to use and build upon the practical applications you have tried to encourage your team and your teens to apply to their own lives. In some ways I would liken my own children to Pastor's kids. They are watched very closely, they are expected to perform at a totally different level/standard than any other kid and when they make a mistake it has greater repercussions than other young people their age.

How does a parent be supportive of their child, allow them to grow up and learn to make their own decisions yet not give them "enough rope to hang themselves"?

I wish I could say that as a mom of four daughters I have answers for you all - but I don't. And the more I walk this road, the more I realize it's REALLY DIFFICULT.

I just wanted to put this out there for you girls so you can see just how tough it really is for your parents and maybe you could cut them some slack. Those of you who have parents that are actually involved in your lives - learn to appreciate this! It's not uncommon for parents to be so consumed with their jobs and themselves that they are not involved in their children's lives at all. So, of you come from a home where your mom and dad actually take time to talk to you and you think they're prying - THINK AGAIN and give them a little credit for taking time to be involved in your lives.

I guess the reason I have titled this "PUTTING YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS" is just the thought that so many of the young women I've worked with have committed to purity and desire to live a lifestyle that exemplifies purity but the first guy that comes along that they fall head over heels for everything is out the window. Don't jump in with both feet. Take some time...pray about things...forging ahead throwing caution to the wind is dangerous. If your parents are concerned and not to sure about the relationship, LISTEN TO THEM. They aren't doing this to make you miserable. They aren't saying things to undermine your love story. They are sincerely desiring to help guide you and direct you. All those things you thought about and talked about at the purity conferences or journaled during your quiet times...REREAD THEM! Take time to go over everything then "put your money where your mouth is" and stay within the parameters you set for yourself. God placed those on your heart for a reason and He wants what's best for you. He doesn't want you miserable. He wants you to be focused on Him.

My friend Kristie had this on her status: I think often when we are waiting prayerfully and desperately for an answer from the Lord, especially if the wait is long, it's easy to get more focused on the hope of the answer rather than the Answerer. HE is the prize. HE is always the prize.


The PRIZE...is it worth waiting for? worth working towards? DON'T SETTLE...Don't block those who truly love you out of your life just because they're not saying what you want to hear. They have your best interest at heart as well and God has placed them in your life for a reason!

Next time your mom or dad take a moment to share their concerns with you - don't shut them down, don't throw a tantrum, don't close them out. Take a deep breath and listen. Listen closely, openly and pray about it. Then formulate your response and talk it over with them.

He is the prize! He's ALWAYS the prize! For our focus to be on Him and not the moment will enable us to put our money where our mouth is and actually fulfill those commitments we have made to Him.