WORD!

I love this quote by Chris Vacher (Director of Worship at Orangeville Baptist Church near Toronto).

"The Bible is like the anvil, the Spirit is like the hammer, and we are like the metal being shaped over and over again."

Why do we think we can become anything on our own accord?  It is only by immersing ourselves in the WORD of God that we become better Leaders, Dads, Moms, Husbands, Wives,...you name it.  

As we strive to be more and more like Jesus-following His example, His ways, His heart...then let us be about His Truth and His Way...learning from THE WORD!

BY GRACE

Each of us is standing BY GRACE-
Not one of us is worthy of such a gift and yet it has been given to each of us...all we need to do is take the gift and understand that "we aren't all that".  We NEED a SAVIOR!  If you have received that gift than live it out and live it out loud so others can see and hear and come to know the One who offers such an amazing gift!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
Ephesians 2:8

God's Faithfulness~

Driving the boys to football today we saw "out of the grey" this brilliant rainbow.  In the midst of rain and clouds there was a glorious display of God's Faithfulness!  I never tire of seeing the beauty and majesty of the rainbow.  It was a wonderful reminder that no matter our circumstance-God is The God who remembers where we are and that He is for us!

CONSTANT~

Yesterday has passed me by, today is all I see
Who knows what tomorrow brings, it all remains unseen
In a world that is always spinning I long for something that remains the same
Be the Constant in the change-Jesus be my Firm Foundation
Be the Rock on which I stand all other ground is sinking sand

I wrote this song awhile back in the midst of feeling tossed about with the ferocious pace of this world we live in.  Our culture spins with such velocity that I can feel unsteady. 
I often need to be reminded that the ONLY thing/ONE who does NOT ever change is JESUS CHRIST!  He remains the SAME, yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).


This past week has been one of those leaning and learning moments, wondering the wisdom in what God is doing...isn't that crazy? I a mere human wondering at God's higher ways...Whoa!  What I take refuge in is that God already knows my thoughts and my questions and He alone knows the big picture of all He is doing and working in.  Someone I love, reminded me today to Trust and continue to do what God has called me to do for His glory because truthfully that is all that matters.  


I am basking in the fact that my Savior is STEADY, CONSISTENT, MIGHTY, FAITHFUL, UNDERSTANDING, GRACIOUS, ALL KNOWING, ALL SEEING, ALL POWERFUL AND CONSTANT!

Today

Today is a gift for tomorrow is not promised to us (James 4, Matthew 6...)
Live THIS day for the King-do not fret about tomorrow, be present in THIS moment!  Love your family, your friends THIS day...show someone the love and hope of Christ in the here and now...don't wait!

What I Learned

Ephesians 5:15-16 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

I had the opportunity to sit with my colleagues today and soak in some great TRUTH about leading and serving and remembering who I have been called to be IN CHRIST!  What a blessing to be in a room with co-workers that you love, rejoice with, cry with, disagree with (sometimes), serve with...we are truly family!

I was reminded that we were not called to be a Church that entertains or builds fans.  We have been called to be a Church that brings the LIFE CHANGING message of JESUS to those who have yet to know Him in a personal way.  We have been called to be an AUTHENTIC people who live out our lives in the good and the bad allowing Christ to SHINE in our weakness.  

A good reminder to walk with those who are seeking to be wise, those  who follow the Words of Life and encourage us to do the same.

Living Lessons

I have just entered the land of 40 and yet, I'm not sure I am all the wiser for it. There are times in my life where I feel like I'm 3 years old all over again, lessons I thought I had learned just circle back around and I see that I still have much learning to do.  
This past week I received an email that challenged me to re-think how we worship.  I really wrestled with the email and the intent behind it.  I stared asking questions to Thee God who created me to be ME, not another type of Worship Leader, Mom or Wife...asking Him what makes me uniquely ME?!? 
I wanted to take the best part of the advice from the email and see it for what it was-but honestly God showed me that He has been leading me and has given gifts all for His glory.  I realized by God's grace that I don't need to be anyone else, but I do need to be obedient to how He has wired me and take the responsibility He's given seriously, not manipulate the morning or situation...because ultimately HE is the ONE who stirs the soul and heart and worship by it's nature is NOT ABOUT ME at all-but about HIM!
Now, I'd like to say that this will be a lesson learned...but, well...if I'm honest-I'm pretty sure I'll land, once again, in the place of feeling like I'm 3 years old with MUCH to learn!