As a mom, educator, Christian, and owner of a nonprofit that supports kiddos it’s kind of my MO, and I will never shy away from it.
Here’s the thing though, y’all – standing up for what’s right won’t always make you popular. I’m cool with that. I don’t need anyone’s approval but God’s.
It doesn’t matter whether you are at school, a sporting event, church, or your home, it’s up to you to create an environment that’s based on Christian values. An environment based on love.
Kids deserve nothing less.
Kids don’t deserve to see ugly, to hear ugly, or to be exposed to ugly. It’s our job to not be ugly. It’s hard – I get it. But that’s why self-control is a fruit of the spirit. Being a Christian IS NOT EASY.
We are the adults, and we are modeling the behavior that these youngins will perceive to be correct. How we act now is how they will act later. Let’s be better for future generations. It’s up to us.
So here’s my question: are we modeling appropriate behaviors based on Biblical truth, or are we letting our flesh take over causing us to spew ugliness from our mouths?
I have a husband, family, and a wonderful tribe of friends that hold me accountable. I hope you do, too.
Let’s do better.
Let’s be better.
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. Galatians 6:9
Do you ever ask yourself, “What is God’s purpose for my life?” I don’t know about you, but I often find myself thinking about this question as a fresh college graduate diving into the world as an adult headfirst. I question why God would want me to move 1,000 miles away from everything that I am familiar with. My husband is a new pastor and my role as his wife is to support him and serve the church. This sounds so simple and pure, but some may see it as “not enough” or even meaningless in today’s world.
But here’s the thing, our purpose as Christ followers is to be obedient and follow His calling. It is to keep our eyes on Him, even when we feel less than the next person who appears to be doing “big things” in this life. It is so easy to get caught up on the highlight reels we see on social media of some celebrity or influencer living your earthly dream.
God’s purpose for our lives may not always be clear, but focus on this verse:
“The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He” Deuteronomy 32:4.
The Lord has a purpose and plan for each and every one of us while we roam this earth, whether that means you are a world renown surgeon, or a stay at home mom. Whatever that temporary role may be, it is perfectly aligned with God’s perfect plan. The Lord remains sovereign no matter what our circumstances may be at any given time.
Here are a few points to consider when pondering your God-given purpose:
1. Validation can be found in Christ who died for our sins.
2. Set your mind on a heavenly inheritance that is to come.
3. Value and recognize the work God has done in your life.
I don’t know why I’m about to write this. Honestly, it just shows how weird my thought process is. I can already see my sisters shaking their heads and smiling.
Yet here I go.
I love chocolate covered peanuts from Buccees. They’re my fav. However, it never fails that inside of every single bag there is at least one weird tasting peanut. Y’all know what I’m talking about? You bite into it, and it’s just not right – almost sour. You know it’s coming, but it’s still a surprise.
But guess what – I’m not gonna stop buying those peanuts. Like I said they are my favorite. The way I see it is there’s a whole bag of delicious, mouthwatering chocolate covered peanuts – at least a hundred – and usually just one weird tasting one. I’m not gonna let the one outdo the 100.
I said all of that to say this – don’t let one sour Christian turn you away from God. Don’t let one rotten person make you lose your faith in all humankind.
Look around you – there’s goodness everywhere.
Cling to that good.
Choose to see the positive.
Choose hope.
And if you’ve never gone to Buccees you need to make that a priority.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. – Colossians 3:1-2
The Origin of Cancel Culture: The Woman caught in Adultery
Can we talk about cancel culture for a minute? One of the biggest buzz words that birthed out of 2020 originated from mobs on the internet deeming human beings as “void” all while behind their keyboards. Essentially, we just unsubscribe to their existence and ensure they lose all streams of income, relationships, and respect. Seems on par for the year we had, huh? Can we really talk about this, like, dissect it for a minute? Let’s start from the beginning.
If you are familiar with your bible you may have heard the verse that says, “there is nothing new under sun”, Ecclesiates 1:9. This is true. The enemy is not that smart, he uses the same old tricks and veneers them in different ways. One of the very first victims of cancel culture was the woman caught in adultery found in John 8:1-11 (if you have time, pause here and go read it, it’s only 11 verses).
It is stunning how similar this story plays out compared to recent victims we have read about over the past year. The accusers did not have Instagram 2000 years ago, but they sure didn’t have a problem getting a crowd revved up ready to cast their stones. Also, why wasn’t her accomplice tried with her? Interesting.
Here we have Pharisees, accompanied by a mob, dragging this woman to Jesus, wanting permission to stone her because of her sin. Jesus spoke and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Now that’s a clap back! Not only did he say that, but he also went on to write something unknown in the sand. Whatever he wrote hit hard, because after they processed what he said, and read what he wrote, they dropped their stones and walked away, one by one.
Do you ever imagine what Jesus wrote there? I do, and every time I read this story, I come up with something new. What if he wrote, “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” or “where sin abounds my grace abounds much more”. Today I like to think he wrote, “you don’t get to cancel people, only I have the power to do that.”
The truth is, cancel culture stems from a spirit of division and self-righteousness. If we really adhere to the laws of cancel culture every single one of us would be canceled.
But God! Because of God’s great love for us, while we were still sinners, He is rich in mercy and made us alive in Him and saved us by grace (this is where we stop and praise dance). We no longer are canceled; therefore, we do not cancel others. Jesus got canceled too, you know. On the cross, by a mob. We killed a perfect man, the Son of God, who did no wrong. Because of that day, we now live in Him forever. Because of that day, we extend the same grace he extended to us to others. You and I are the best candidates to be canceled, but God stepped in and the mob dropped their stones. Remember this, reflect on this. Let’s be the change in this new trend. Let’s show grace and drop our stones.
On February 28, 2021 I will turn 40 years old. More often than not, I find myself asking “Am I too old for this?” When I’m shopping for clothes, and even shoes, I may try on the “oh, so cute top or bottom” and then that’s when the question runs thru my head “Brandi, are you too old?” In much the same way a similar question daunts me when God asks me to do something for Him. “Are you done with me?” or “Am I good enough?”
I think of my age and all the things I’ve been able to do for the Lord in my life. I’m not old, but my body definitely makes me aware that I’m not young anymore. I’ve sat under some wonderful preachers and teachers. My husband and I were over the youth at our church for 16+ years. We’ve attended Youth Worker’s Conference, been to Youth Camp, taken students to Youth Conference, taught so many Bible studies on Wednesday nights, attended Leadership Classes and I’m sure there’s something I’m missing somewhere, but you get my point. God has used me.
I’ve been blessed to be part of God’s ministry, but just over 2 years ago we resigned being over the youth. It was time to do this. I will mention during that year my one and only child graduated high school, and I also gave up singing with our worship team. I came to a halt in every part of my life, except my public job. I came to a place in my life where I felt barren.
“But Sarai was barren, she had no child.” Genesis 11:30
I think of Sarai when she was barren. She wanted a child to take care of and tend to. A child could carry Abraham’s name on. She wanted something that made her feel needed and necessary. I know when you read the story in the Bible it seems like there was a lot of drama going on in this story, but she had a desire and felt like circumstances were all wrong for it to come to pass for her.
As a Christian we sometimes run across barren times in our lives and we want to feel needed and necessary. Instead, we feel empty and the circumstances around us make us feel like our time is up. I know sometimes when God gives me a small task of being a witness to someone or teaching at a different place, after I’m done with the work He gave me, I tell myself “ok, that’s done”. As if that’s all for me, I’m just going to go fall in a black hole in the Earth because God is done, and He has no more for me to do for Him.
Just like God had plans for Sarai I realize there’s so much work to be done and when God says something is going to happen, even if we are walking in a barren place in life, it’s going to happen. In Genesis 21:2 it reads “For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.” So even though my age or whatever circumstance I may be facing may not fit into the way I think things should be, I have to trust that God has a time and place for things to happen and there is always going to be things for me to do to further His ministry.
Not long after God gave me this opportunity with Rays of Sunshine and then gave me the word barren, one of our Sunday School lessons at church allowed me to run across another scripture. In Isaiah 54:1-3 it reads: “Sing, O barren, you who have not borne! Break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman,” says the Lord. Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings. Do not spare; Lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. “For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited.
There’s more for us to do so open your doors up for God to use you again. I know this to be true because not long after I gave up everything in ministry, I moved into teaching the Adult Sunday School class at church and I’ve also found new “endeavors” (as some have labeled them) with my public job, that I’m interested in stepping into soon. I’m spreading my table more and adding more chairs for the work God has for me. Even when you walk through the barren seasons in life, God’s not done with you!
What keeps us from loving God and loving others the way we should?
Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT)
“Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
I love how Jesus’ words in this scripture simply say “you must”. We do not have a choice.
That’s deep.
But what does it truly mean? I’m talking about loving the Lord with ALL of your heart, soul, and mind. It means every part of you is for him. This is not something to take lightly. We do this by giving up the life we want and seeking the one He wants for us. We have to allow our heart to truly beat for Him. Our mind also belongs to Him – not this world. We must sacrifice our personal wants, desires, and ways of this world the way He sacrificed his own life for us.
– It’s guarding your heart with His armor and strength.
– It’s allowing Him to work through you.
– It’s not allowing your mind to be filled with the worry, hurt, sins of this world but His truth only.
– It’s not trying to figure it all out on our own. But finding peace with where He has us. (Matthew 5:9)
Finally, if you’re going to love yourself, you have to see it through the Father’s eyes. If we’re going to love the person that cut us off in morning traffic, beat us to the front of the line, or let us down when we were counting on them, we’re going to have to see them through the Father’s eyes. Patient and forgiving. He is sufficient for what we need to live out his commands.
It’s what we choose to do with that past that matters.
Will we continue to waller around in that mud, or are we gonna step on out of that mess and let God hose us off?
It’s our choice.
Jesus died for us. He took all of our dirty and hung it on the cross. Don’t let His death go in vain.
Be cleansed.
Be washed.
Be made whole.
🎶 Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you washed in the blood? In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless, are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?🎶
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” John 1:9
There have been times in my life when I have felt small, had a sense of loneliness, and even questioned my own worth.
I would turn to look at what other women were accomplishing in their lives, the work they were doing for the Kingdom, and would compare the opportunities they were getting to my own.
This habit that I formed became nothing more than a trap. Measuring my value through my accomplishments made me feel forgotten.
As I read Isaiah 49:16, “Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me,” I am filled with hope. The Lord spoke to Israel in a time when they felt forgotten and ignored during their exile in Babylon (Isaiah 40:27).
The Lord reminds them in this verse that He had never withdrawn Himself from them. He was always with them and never left them. They weren’t forgotten and they weren’t neglected.
The Lord speaks these same things to us today. We are never alone. Even in the times we are off searching for our significance, He is with us. We have a Father who says He “will go with you, [He] will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
As I reflect back on Psalms 7-8, I see the moments where David, too, searched for his significance. He questioned his place, but he also reminded himself of his loving Creator.
We are all designed uniquely for a specific purpose by our Heavenly Father. We reveal the existence of God every day and point others to His love. When we begin to search for significance or compare our purpose in life to those around us, we must remember who we are in Jesus Christ. We are His treasured possession (Deuteronomy 14:2).
Isn’t that such an amazing truth? You were created for a specific purpose; and God uniquely designed you to reveal His glory and show others His love. You matter to Him! The God of love created you and said He will never leave you!
“So run the race that is set before you and keep your eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2). The race is hard, it can be full of comparison, searching for significance, questioning our value, and so many other obstacles that try to knock us off course.
We would never be able to endure the race on our own. We simply are not strong enough to carry all of this weight. But the race is already won by Jesus Christ. He already endured the pain so we wouldn’t have to.
Give thanks this morning to the Lord that He created YOU for a specific purpose, that we get to walk each and every day and share His love with others, that He will never leave you nor forsake you, and that you never have to run this race alone.
Mean mommas oftentimes create mini-me versions of themselves. I don’t know how else to say it.
Empowering other women is a huge topic lately – as it should be. However, if we are truly here to empower other women then we need to model that behavior for our daughters – in public and in privacy.
It starts at home, y’all.
In retrospect, what’s done in the privacy of your own home – isn’t really private. After all, Alexa is listening to our every word.
This is actually where the rubber meets the road. It’s where the real us can really be us.
And who do we really want to be when no one else is watching but our daughter?
I want to be a strong, Jesus-loving, Bible-toting, verse-slanging, Holy Ghost filled woman that exudes love and grace in everything she says and does. That’s a tough feat – I know. But if we are gonna have goals shouldn’t that be the one to have?
▪️Strong mommas hold their tongues.
▪️Strong mommas often keep their opinion to themselves – because that’s what it is – an opinion.
▪️Strong mommas pay the compliment.
▪️Strong mommas don’t have any room for jealousy because they are filled with Jesus.
▪️Strong mommas lift other women up.
▪️Strong mommas don’t spew ugly.
▪️Strong mommas point their babies toward Jesus.
I want to raise a young lady that fights for justice and loves like Jesus. A girl that’s strong and sweet. A girl that’s brave and benevolent.
So when the door is shut and the blinds are closed and it’s just my little family – I’ll be trying my best to do just that. Lifting others up and leading my little family to Jesus. It’s my greatest calling. It’s my greatest goal.
“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30
The following song has been playing in my mind on repeat for well over a week.
🎶Oh! Christ be magnified
From the altar of my life
Christ be magnified in me🎶
I’ve always had pretty janky eyesight. So when I had the opportunity to look through a magnifying glass in third grade science my mind was seriously blown. That teeny tiny seed we were examining was all of a sudden huge. I could see every single detail. In fact, I could focus on it so well that I did not want to give the magnifying glass back to my partner. Sorry Derek.
In a world that would love to skew our vision, what things are we intentionally focusing on? What things are we making “big”?
Is Christ the biggest focus in our life?
Are we truly honing in on Him in every step We take and decision that we make?
The thing about magnifying something is that the proximity from that object to yourself doesn’t change, just your perspective does.
How far away are we keeping Christ?
At an arm’s length?
Or as close to us as possible?
One last question: If the world put a magnifying glass on our words, actions, thoughts, and even our faith, what would be glaring back at them?
“O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Psalms 34:3
Rays of Sunshine inc 