It’s not Over.

Later he appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw him after he had risen. Then he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. —Mark 16:14-16

So the Lord Jesus, after speaking to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word by the accompanying signs.—Mark 16:19-20

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”—Acts 1:11

What a glorious celebration! Easter Sunday is such an amazing celebration! It’s not all about the candy and the eggs. Jesus conquered sin and death. He paid the debt we owe, so that we could experience salvation from eternal punishment.

…but, that was yesterday. Easter Sunday has come and gone. What now? Mow the yard, eat the candy, figure out something to make with the boiled Easter eggs, go back to work like normal? It seems a bit anticlimactic to just go back to everyday life when just yesterday we celebrated the most exciting event in history. The story isn’t over, though. We have a mission.

Jesus appeared to the disciples and He rebuked their unbelief. Are we sitting in a period of unbelief? All God’s promises come true. May we seek forgiveness for our complacency and doubts. Let’s not allow the excitement of Easter to dwindle. Keep it alive by sharing the news that He has risen. Jesus commanded us to share that message of salvation. One day, He’s returning to claim His own. Let’s not be found sitting in despair. Let’s be found celebrating salvation and sharing it for others to experience. Let’s take on the excitement of Mary Magdalene who “went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord!’” (John 20:18) There’s an exclamation at the end of her pronouncement. She was obviously, and rightly so, very excited! Because of Easter, we have life, glorious life!

Good Eye

Matthew 6:22-23 The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.

In Matthew 6 Jesus is teaching His famous Sermon on the Mount. He gives very practical advice on how to give, pray, fast, and how to deal with anxiety. It is all very easy to understand and apply. But found in the middle of this portion of text are these two obscurely worded verses.

The phrases “good eye” and “bad eye” were a common figure of speech used in 1st century culture. It communicated how a person saw the world. If a person saw the world as a good place and trusted God was on the move and in control, they were said to have a good eye. Likewise, if a person saw and only lived for their own desires or only acknowledged the negativity in the world they were considered to have a bad eye. It is similar to our modern day figure of speech that someone sees the world through a glass half empty or half full.

God’s desire is for us to have a good eye. He wants us to be looking for His goodness in the world and to consider ways to join Him in His plan to bring the Kingdom of God to earth.

The beginning of this teaching warns us not to collect treasures on earth where they can get broken, stolen or deteriorate, but rather give while on earth! The greek word that is used for the word good in the above passage is the same word we use for generous. If you believe that God is good and want to partner with Him then you would naturally be generous. Being kingdom minded means we use the things God has blessed us with to serve others. It will cost us. We should freely give time, resources, and forgiveness.

Let us pray for a good eye and set our focus on kingdom advancement.

Don’t Quit.

“If you want to heal your hearts wounds, start healing your thoughts.” – Alexandra Vasiliu

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I have had so many people say to me, “I just need to get away, yanno? Just get out of here for a bit. I just need a break!” This is the actual Truth of that statement: wherever you go, you take your mind with you.

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Say I finally get the break Im so craving. I’m finally on a beach, soaking up the sun, and the only noise I hear is that of the waves crashing against the sand. That’s the secret to all my stresses and worries just melting away, right? Wrong! The reason that’s not the answer is because 9 times out of 10, I’m going to be sitting on that beach still dwelling on everything I “left at home”. The idea of escaping our reality for a bit is honestly detrimental because if our reality is in need of escaping from, then we aren’t truly living the way God intended for us to be living.

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This is what Jesus said on the matter: ““Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis.” (Matthew 11:28 TPT) JESUS IS YOUR OASIS.

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Is it really that simple, though? Just turn it all off, hand it over to God and enjoy our lives? Absolutely. But as one minister said, “It’s our stinkin thinkin that limits us most.” It’s hard carrying a backpack full of life’s worries around and trying to run a marathon while we do it.

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So, as challenging as it is, think positive today. Meditate on God’s Goodness and Promises. Don’t magnify the negative and the bad, but magnify God and His Word to be greater.

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The best is yet to come, friends. Don’t quit.

Because He Lives.

Spring time, my favorite time of the year. A time of new beginnings & blossoms, sunshine, and remembrance. As the little girl I once was I loved Easter – more so than any other holiday. I loved the big dresses with bright colors I wore on that Sunday morning to church. I loved gathering with family, and loved seeing the signs “He is Risen” throughout the neighborhood. For myself, it was a time of celebration and remembrance. Remembering the one who brought us from death to life. Only Jesus can do such a thing as that.

“I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after death. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.” John 11:25-26

Before Easter was beautiful, it was once a dark time. It was once a tragedy. It was once heartbreak, cruelty, and difficulty – only until three days later. Many of us to this day experience dark, difficult, tragic moments and wonder when we will see the sunshine. When will we see easier times and hope. I feel Jesus wants to remind myself and others we already have our hope we are looking for. We have hope because He lives. We can face the fears we have because He lives. We can face the test results, anxiety, conversations, viruses, disorganization, busy schedules because He lives. Might I add that since He lives, so can you. Simply believe. Stop bearing your cross when He already took it up for you.

As we step forward into this Easter season, I hope you choose to truly live. I hope you are fixed in the reminder that He conquered death. Because He lives there is nothing you cannot do with His love, grace, and mercy. We find our life when we find the one who gives us life. What an honor it is to believe in his living power. With it, we get to truly live. Happy Easter. Always remember, He is risen.

Flawed.

Hey.

Stop staring in the mirror picking yourself apart.

Seriously. Stop it.

God did not make you to dislike yourself. Those self-deprecating thoughts are not from Him.

God made you in His image.

Soak that in. Really think on it.

The devil is a liar, and he would love nothing more than to rip your self-esteem apart ounce by ounce. He would love for you to be so down on yourself, so focused on your flaws, and so deprived of confidence that you can’t step out and step up for God.

Girl, you are not flawed. You are flaw-some. Every little thing that you think is wrong with yourself is actually right, and that’s the truth.

Flip the script. Take the things that you perceive to be holding you back and use them to propel yourself forward for God’s Kingdom.

You are made in His image, girl.

And don’t you ever forget it.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 5:10

Uncertainty

What is this feeling? This uneasy, shaky, paralyzing anxiousness resting with my soul. The struggle of my simple presence in the routine task of life. Why I am so uncertain? A pure lack of confidence, consumed with worry, and reinforcing a debilitating awareness of self-doubt. Not completely confident or sure of anything. Uncertainty, what is your deal? I need answers!

If you are remotely like me, the last 12-months has been filled with uncertainty. What will be the outcome of our nation impacted by a pandemic? How will our collective and individual futures be changed? What about the loss of life? What about employment opportunity, school, the short and long term effects on society as a whole? Uncertainty masks itself in a variety of forms. A chameleon by nature, adapting to each individual with the same detrimental result. How are we to deal with this bottomless lack of clarity? More specifically, as Christians who must functionally live in a world seemingly thriving on such a commodity, what are we to do? Let’s make this a touch more personal and take the first step of confessing uncertainty’s presence in my own life.

A couple of months ago I turned twenty-three years old. Instead of celebrating and enjoying the excitement for another year of life, I was consumed with a lack of clarity. What was I to do with my life now? What about my continuation of school? What about the beginning of a young career? What were my options now, post pandemic? I had a few ideas that “sounded” decent. Each would be “acceptable” and good career paths. However, missing from each was my own desire to pursue, to personally invest the passion necessary to achieve. What if I make the wrong choice? With that one thought, I began surrendering the solid ground of spiritual truth for unstable worldly thoughts and anxiety. What if I was not ready? What if I’m not good enough? What if I’m not smart or driven enough to excel? What if I become a failure? What if I’m already a failure? What will others say? Not knowing or having answers for the questions I was continuously asking myself left me feeling scared and defeated. I mean, surely, one must always have certainty and clarity for the choices made in life. Right? As I dealt with these personal experiences, I turned to God’s Word for answers.

The Bible says in John 15:19 “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” This verse quickly reminded me of the very real tension that exists between my spiritual walk in Christ functioning bodily in the everyday world. We, as Christians, are not of this world (1 Peter 2:11). Rather we have been called out of this world to a live a new life. God has transformed us, given us a new heart and new spirit. Therefore, was my seeking of continued comfort and certainty in the circumstances of the world misguided? Was that my problem? Was I really asking questions of myself and seeking counsel from the world? What was I to do? Take a deep breath….be still….

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 (NKJV)

I needed to guard my heart and shelter my mind in the truth of Christ and find sanctuary in His peace. We all will continue to experience a chaotic world that has more than its share of difficulties. God has a plan for each and every one of us. And, yes, sometimes it’s not what we might expect. All of us will face situations that are virtually incomprehensible. When faced with uncertainty, we have a choice. We can give in to the fear of the unknown or remain hopeful in God’s plan for our lives. We can cower in the world’s shadow or be an example of Christ’s light to all. Indeed, the complexities of this world are spinning quickly, but all is spinning under His watchful eye. With each passing moment, we all are another step further along on His plan and the journey He has laid out for our lives. This is right where we’re supposed to be.

In Romans 12:2 the Bible says “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Imagine how settling it would be if we let go of all our worries and cast our cares upon Him (Psalm 55:22). Instead of seeking answers for our life, we simply and resolutely seek Him (Matt. 6:33). Together, let’s take it all in. Let’s enjoy every moment this life has to offer. Instead of worrying when we don’t have the answers, let’s choose to focus on Christ‘s peace and His guidance. Let’s walk purposefully in the plan He has for us. In His strength we can fulfill His calling of peace, hope, and love!

I don’t want to.

I don’t want to end up in the belly of a whale.

I mean I’ve never been in one, but I would have to assume it would be an awfully dark place. And isn’t that exactly what it’s like when you’re not in God’s will – dark?

I get it – sometimes God asks us to do really scary things. I don’t know the exact reason Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh because I’m not him. But I do know this – the reason was attached to some form of fear.

And we see where that fear landed him.

So here’s my question – which “fear” sounds worse?

1. God’s will

2. Not God’s will

If you’re walking in God’s will that means He is walking with you. Our great protector. Our refuge. The ultimate superhero if you will. But if you’re not walking with God – if you say no – then you’ll find yourself in a deep, dark place that just downright stinks.

Y’all, just say yes.

Don’t wrestle.

Don’t beg.

Just thank God that He chose you in the first place.

“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” Jonah 1:2

I’m not Equipped.

In times of crisis you can bet your bottom dollar that out will come the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. Now that’s just the truth, y’all.

When you’re smack dab in the middle of a terrible situation it’s not easy to hold it together. In fact, as humans we are not really equipped to do that. We are equipped to call on God. To lean on God. To cry out to God.

And if we’ve truly been in a committed relationship with Him then hopefully the things coming out of our mouths during a crisis – or the things clickety clacking across our keyboards – are goodness and mercy and kindness.

The fruit of the Spirit is real. The fruit of the Spirit is how we show the world that Jesus is real.

I don’t want to be rotten fruit, but the fact of the matter is sometimes I stink. I mess up and get it wrong. But I’m trying. I’m trying really hard to lean on God during these rough situations – not on my flesh.

I hope you will, too.

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10

This Heart of Stone

I’ve told many people now that I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior when I was 12 years old, but I didn’t start acting like it until I was 28 and didn’t die in a bus accident. That sounds weird though, huh? Like…what DID I act like for those 16 years in between?

Well…I’m not going to give you all the details because that would just make the devil happy, but I will tell you that I spent the better part of those years grieving the Holy Spirit (and my parents…bless them). How do I know that I was grieving the Holy Spirit? Because. I. Was. Miserable.

In the 36th chapter of Ezekiel, God says to us, “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

Although my 12-year-old self did not fully understand what trading in a heart of stone for a heart of flesh meant in that moment, God did. God knew every teenage-angst-filled choice that was to occur. He knew every loney, lost, and selfish 20-something decision that I would make. He knew I was not going to, as He put it, “walk in [His] statutes” or “obey [His] rules.” (Maybe He meant “hard-headed” instead of “heart of stone.”)

He also knew that He would BE there with me while it was all going down–whether I wanted Him to be there or not! He regularly reminded me that I needed Him–even if I didn’t want to hear it. He often reminded me that my sin was painful, but His burden was light–even if I shrugged off His desire to carry my burden.

He was there to comfort His child in those rare moments that I did decide to turn to Him and ask, if only for a moment or two before turning back to old habits, old behaviors, old sins. Until one day–March 29, 2006 to be exact–I didn’t die in a bus crash. I was a high school soccer coach on my way with a bus full of excited young girls to the first round of the state playoffs that day, until we weren’t.

Our bus crashed killling 2 of my players and resulting in life-altering injuries to many more. I was 28 years old that day. I felt 12. I was scared beyond comprehension. I was in shock. I turned to God and cried out for His help..and He was there. He had always been there. He never left. I just didn’t make a habit of seeking Him. But that day–and every day since–I’ve not let myself forget that He IS THERE…with me.

He will never leave me or forsake me. Since that day, I’ve learned so much about this “heart of flesh” versus the “heart of stone.” This “heart of flesh” causes me to look to Him at the start of each new day and not to the things of this world. This “heart of flesh” calls me to love people right where they are…just for who they ARE…not who I may want them to be. This “heart of flesh” causes me to WANT to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him.

And this “heart of flesh” calls me to know Him and be loved by Him and rest in His undeserved grace and in His endless mercy. I am so thankful that His Holy Spirit came to reside in my soul at 12-years old and never left…not even for a second. And I’m thankful that God continues to chip away at that old stone heart and give me more of that heart of flesh He talks about in Ezekiel.

And YOU can rest in the truth that God has a plan to exchange that hard-headed “heart of stone” for a “heart of flesh” if that’s what you seek. All you have to do is know He’s there…and ask!

Get off the Boat

What to do in life, where to go, what to see, achieve, and experience. These are the thoughts I ponder that I can never answer.

Do I know what I want to do? Yes. How to get there? No.

Do I know where I want to go? Yes. How to get there? Nope.

Do I know what I want to see, achieve and experience? For the most part, yes! Yet again, I have no idea how to get there, so I ask myself, what is the solution?

To non-believers, the answer to the “how to get there’s” would be logical. Save money, work hard, be patient, and invest in yourself and others around you. But to those who follow God, the answer is, “Have Faith.”

For those of us who have been Christian for most of our memory, it’s easy to become comfortable in our spiritual routine of nighttime prayers and Bible studies.

But where is faith in that?

Faith isn’t present when comfort is, and comfort cannot co-exist with faith. Wait, what? What do you mean I can’t be comfortable in my bed and not have faith? I’m not talking about physical comfort. I’m talking about spiritual comfort.

Spiritual comfort and spiritual growth are complete opposites with each other. Faith is essential for spiritual growth. Growth cannot happen without pain, and, as we all know, pain is uncomfortable.

So what spiritual growth are you missing out on because of your comfort?

A great example of shifting from comfort to faith is when disciples were out at sea during a storm and saw Jesus walking on water.

The disciple Peter had a history of safe faith up to this point. In this passage, Peter not only examples what great faith looks like, but he also examples how we should change between our comfort to faith.

He went all in.

In Mathew 14:29, Jesus said, “Come,” so Peter got out of the boat experienced the miracle of walking on water.

To do this, he had to do two things. Peter had to trust Jesus to allow him to reach the destination that he was called to. Peter had to step out of the boat. Now, Peter made the transition between comfort and faith look easy, but in reality, he still struggled.

When Peter took his eyes off Jesus while on the water, he immediately sank into the sea.

Panic-stricken and fearful, Peter reached out his hand for Jesus to save him. At the end of his grasp, he found the hand of his Savior already reaching out to save him. (Spoiler, he will do the same for you, too!).

Reading this story from the security of my home, I’ve always wondered if I would be able to take those same steps, not only out of the boat but onto the water. How many of us could or would ever step out of the boat? Out of our comfortable routines in which we never improve our relationship with God?

The enemy wants us to fear stepping out of our spiritual comfort zones because repentance causes faith, faith causes change, change causes revival, and revival causes renewal.

Without that first step, new growth can never be reached.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I want to grow. I need to push myself out of my comfort zones. Sure it might cause some growing pains, but it is nothing compared to what Jesus endured for me.

I know my choice between comfort and faith. Now it’s time for you to choose.

“He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat…” -Mathew 14: 29a

Rays of Sunshine inc

Educator, Mother, & Jesus Lover

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