Truth

    I think almost nothing good about myself. It's true. When you tell me something good about myself, I will most likely smile, thank you, and my brain will immediately contradict what you just said. This has been going on for a couple of years now and has become very deep rooted. But I never noticed it. 

    This summer it hit me that these are all of the negative things I think about myself are lies of Satan intended to keep me from being who God wants me to be. I didn't realize how bad it was until my husband said that he needed to be better about finding all the wonderful things about me and telling them to me. Immediately, I told myself, "There's nothing wonderful about you!" I couldn't believe how deep those lies had gotten.

    Satan is the father of lies. He will use any tactic he can to interfere with God's plans for our lives. For some, he might puff them up with arrogance while others he drives into the ground with self-doubt. 

    On the other hand, God is the source of all truth. He's the only One that I should allow to run roots into my heart and mind. Only then will I get an accurate picture of who I am.

    God created me fearfully and wonderfully. I am exactly who He designed me to be. (Psalms 139:13-14)

    God is working on me, and He will keep working on me until I am completed. (Philippians 1:6)

    I have direct access to God and can approach Him with boldness where He will always give me grace. (Hebrews 4:16)

    The Lord is my helper, so I can be confident and not fear. (Hebrews 13:6)

    The Lord is always with me. (Joshua 1:9)

    God's power is made perfect in my weakness, therefore I shouldn't be ashamed of them, but rather allow God to show His power through them. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

    God will renew my strength and bear me up when I feel weary. (Isaiah 40:31)

    I am blessed when I trust in the Lord and place my confidence in Him. (Jeremiah 17:7)

    I should not compare myself with others. (2 Corinthians 10:12)

    God places great value on me and knows everything about me. (Luke 12:7)

    Jesus bought me with His life. (1 Corinthians 6:20)

    God put a plan in place for my life. (Ephesians 2:10)

    My inner self is of great worth to God and is where true beauty lies. (1 Peter 3:3-4)

    God's faithfulness is new every morning - no matter how badly I mess up. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

    Because of God's great love for me, He saved me by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:4-9)

    Unfortunately, it's not as easy as flipping a switch. I know these things, but I need to really believe them, lean into God, allow Him to transform my thoughts and heal me. Lies can be so damaging, but truth overcomes lies.  

 Photo by Magda Ehlers: https://www.pexels.com/photo/cutouts-of-letters-4116661/

Christmas in July Giveaway

 

Hello Readers!

As summer heats up, what better way to cool off than to think of Christmas in July! To celebrate, I have partnered with Celebrate Lit Publicity to do a special giveaway just for you!

I want you to have a chance to win 40+ books or a $500 Amazon card to buy a ton of books yourself in Celebrate Lit's Christmas in July Giveaway.

Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/1e46d/2022-christmas-in-july

The event and giveaway is going on now through July 23.

Ministry Dangers

    

    June is typically a busy month for me. For the past eight years, I've directed the Vacation Bible School at my church. June is the culmination of months of preparation. This year it was time for me to step down, and I've been doing a lot of contemplation about some of the dangers involved in ministry. Specifically, I've been thinking about two opposite problems: fear and pride.

    When I was first asked to direct VBS, my reaction was one of fear. I often call it my 'burning bush moment' because I responded very similarly to Moses. I knew God wanted to me to serve in this capacity, but I had every excuse in the book for why I was the wrong person for the job. I wasn't qualified. I had no idea how to do it. Someone else could do it better than me. There wasn't an excuse that I didn't use. Eventually, God gave me my sister to co-direct with me, much like He allowed Moses to take Aaron along with him.

    It didn't take long for me to realize a few things. First, God doesn't throw us into the deep end and stand back to see if we will sink or swim. Instead He is next to us the whole time, keeping us afloat. Second, because He is the one keeping us afloat, He gets the glory for it. Third, God uses these opportunities to grow us in ways that we would be missing out if we let fear reign. When I think of all the benefits I would have lost if I hadn't followed God's leading, I'm so thankful that He didn't let me get away with using my fear as an excuse to say no.

    As I realized how much I loved serving in this capacity, I recognized another danger in ministry - pride. I got comfortable in my role and fear no longer played a part, but pride could definitely become a problem. It would be easy to start to think that any successes were due to my leadership instead of God. I prayed often that the Lord would help me remain humble through the years, and that I would be willing to step back when it was time. I began to joke that God would have to pry my fingers out of VBS because I loved it so much. Joel, my husband, joked that I would be 80, and he'd have to tell me that I couldn't do VBS anymore because I broke my hip. My kids began thinking that this would be an inherited position and that someday they would also direct VBS. So it was a very real possibility that pride could hinder the ministry.

    A couple years ago, our church started another church, and Joel and I felt that God was calling us to serve there. It was pretty apparent that it was time for me to step down. I didn't feel the pain that I expected. Instead it felt right. God answered my prayers and allowed it to be an easy decision and a clear choice. 

    I've always said that if you begin to feel like you are absolutely essential to a ministry, you'd better check your motives, because no one is indispensable in the work of the Lord. God doesn't need our service. He allows us to serve for His honor and glory. When He's ready for us to move on, we need to be ready to move. VBS did not suffer one little bit without me, and that's exactly how it should be. In fact, some would argue that it was better without me, because after eight years, I might be set in my ways and be resistant to change. 

    Where are you right now? Is there a ministry that you know God is calling you to do, but you're afraid? Maybe like me, you don't feel qualified? Give your fears to God and see what amazing things He has in store for you. You won't regret it!

    Maybe you've been in ministry for a long time. Do you feel like the ministry where you're serving will fail if you leave? Or maybe you think they can't do without you? Confess your pride, and step out in faith that God will lead you and use you in other ways. If the ministry does fold, have faith that was God's intention as well. It's hard, but we are most effective when we submit to God's plans. (And if you're still struggling with this, take a moment and read 1 Corinthians 1:27. It really helps with perspective.)

    Don't let either fear or pride keep you from being where God wants you to be. Serve Him with gladness regardless of where He puts you.

Photo by cottonbro: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-wrapped-in-tape-3951632/

Summer Kickoff Giveaway

 

Hello Readers!

Every June Celebrate Lit celebrates summer by doing a huge giveaway just for readers. I have partnered up with them for this amazing giveaway so I can have the opportunity to show my appreciation for you!

I want you to have a chance to win 40+ books or a $500 Amazon card to buy a ton of books yourself in Celebrate Lit's Summer Kick Off Giveaway.

Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/1d71d/2022-summer-kick-off-multi-author

The event and giveaway is going on now through June 18.

Time Flies

 

As soon as a new baby is born, the mother hears "It goes by so quickly! Cherish every moment." But it doesn't seem to go quickly in the middle of the sleepless nights, diaper changes, tantrums, and potty training. Those days can seem to stretch infinitely in front of you (especially potty training!)

My mom always had something different to tell me. She said that the early days go slowly, but once they go to school time fast-forwards. The pace of life picks up with sports, extracurricular activities, homework, and friends. Suddenly the calendar is full and your dashing off all over trying to keep pace.

And then....

18 years have passed.

When we brought Kyla home from the hospital, Joel voiced fears that we were going to mess up as parents. Well, not fear - certainty. We were new parents, fallible humans with sins and mistakes that effect those around us daily. How could we possibly be trusted to raise this little baby?

The key is we didn't raise her alone. First and foremost we have God by our sides and the Spirit's prompting. Second we had experienced parents around us to help us. Third we had the support of our church. With so many helpers by our side we were able to raise our baby into a lovely young woman.

Not that we didn't make mistakes. We absolutely did! As she hit high school we realized we had unintentionally instilled a strong perfectionism trait in her and we had to pull back so that she could feel like it was okay to fail at times and learn from mistakes as well as successes. 

To tell the truth, God blessed us with a daughter who's personality is so beautiful that we often get credit as parents for something that He gifted her with. She has such a strong feeling of compassion for others that she definitely didn't learn from me. She was always drawn to the outcasts at school which made her an outcast by association at times. As I watched her in a Christian school get ostracized for loving the unlovable, I became indignant. Here was a girl who was loving as Jesus loved and was pushed aside in a Christian school! It wasn't right! But it didn't bother her. She kept doing what she knew was right.

As she crossed the stage for graduation, I was so proud of my beautiful girl for her poise and confidence without arrogance. That's not an easy line to walk,  but she walks it well. When she was cast as Mary Poppins in the school musical, she was humbled by the opportunity, worked hard to get the role right, uplifted others, and generally was "practically perfect in every way". In fact, she was nominated for a musical theater award for her performance and all the other nominees signed her head shot saying how humble, sweet, and "practically perfect" she was.

I thought I'd be an emotional wreck at my daughter's graduation, but instead I was just incredibly proud and happy for her! She is so special,  and I am so glad that God showed mercy and grace in my parenting mistakes to grow her into the young lady she is today. 

Mamas - I know you hear it all the time, but time does fly. Before you know it the toys and mess will be gone. It doesn't seem like it now, but it will one day. I won't tell you to cherish every moment because that's not possible. Life is busy and messy, but enjoy the journey. Each stage of life is precious - even potty training.

They say time flies when you're having fun. My Kyla makes life fun with her sunny personality and love for others. It's no surprise that these 18 years flew by with her.

Kyla, I could not be more proud of you! You exhibit God's love and grace in your dealings with others. Time and again others have told me that God has something special for you, and it always gave me chills. I can't wait to see where God takes you next! I love you, sweet girl! Congratulations! 

A Garden of Books Giveaway

 

Hello Readers!

What's better than a garden of flowers? How about a garden of books!

I have partnered up with Celebrate Lit Publicity to do an amazing giveaway just for you for the opportunity to shower one winner with books!

I want you to have a chance to win 40+ books or a $500 Amazon card to buy a ton of books yourself in Celebrate Lit's A Garden of Books Giveaway.

Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/1c61c/2022-a-garden-of-books

The event and giveaway is going on now through May 14

The Hope of Easter

   The day before Easter, my family attended two memorial services. One was for a man at our church who was younger than me and left behind a wife and two young children. The second was for a man who I had served with at another church for several years. At first glance, it seemed strange to have these services on the day before the biggest celebration of the year for Christians. Yet the more I thought about it, the more perfect it seemed, because the resurrection is the reason for our hope even in death.

    Before I continue, I was to clarify the definition of hope. The world's definition of hope is wishful uncertainty. But the Christian Biblical definition of hope is a certain and joyful expectation. It is something that we know will happen, and we look forward to with anticipation.

    The resurrection is the reason for our hope for multiple reasons. First we know that death is not the end. "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14) 'Fallen asleep' is the Biblical euphemism for death. We still grieve, we still mourn, but our grief is different from the world's, because we have hope. We know that when Jesus returns, those who have passed on before will come with Him. Death is not the end, and it is not an eternal separation.

    Secondly, we know where they are right now. "Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8) Death is a separation of the spirit from the body. When believers are taken from their body, they are immediately in the presence of the Lord. How awesome! Both of these men are in the presence of God! We miss them, absolutely, but we have peace knowing that they are home.

    Finally, we know that Jesus's resurrection defeated death once and for all. "“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) Without Christ's resurrection, we are to be pitied, as Paul says, because everything we believe is worthless. If Jesus was just a man who died and is still in the tomb, then Christianity is nothing. But He didn't! He's alive! His resurrection defeated death and gives us victory, because we now have eternal life with Him.

    Feeling the pain of death so close to Easter helped me to appreciate the hope we have because of His resurrection. This is temporary. Joy and life are ours forever. 

“Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Photo by Aaron Burden: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-daisy-flower-bloom-2449543/