And Lead Us Not Into Temptation

I was praying with my three year old daughter last night (we recite the Lord's Prayer with the kids), and I came to the following line of the prayer:

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

This line contained new meaning for me.  In the past, I always recited this passively.  To me, it meant

"hey God, I'm just going about my life here, trying to follow you.  Please don't throw any curveballs my way and please keep Satan from messing things up."

Last night, I felt active when I prayed this line.  The meaning changed for me.  I thought,

"God, there is temptation all around me.  Please guide me and give me wisdom so that I am able to dodge and deal with those temptations."

I started asking God to move instead of asking him to stay back.

My focus changed last night in my prayer life.  The Lord's Prayer came alive for me in a new way.

Forgiveness and What I know About It

I do not intend this post to sound arrogant, so forgive me if you read it and it comes across that way. My intentions are merely to share my experience with forgiveness.

We all (at least that is the hope) know that God sent His son Jesus to die for us so that our sins will be forgiven. Generally speaking, amongst those who have faith in Christ, we accept this truth and live with it as a safety net. We don't always use it, feel like we need it, want it or understand the details of it. BUT! It is always there.

However, when we fall, and realize how important that safety net is, we learn to appreciate the net, taking in not only it's usefulness, but it's beauty and intricate detail as well. We are assured it works beyond our wildest imagination and then we are comforted and empowered to try again, maybe taking an even bigger risk.

I've had a few rough patches in my life, and a few not so rough patches, that left me hurt and broken. In many cases I was even unaware of the brokenness or hurt until I was confronted with a trigger that made me relive that particular event (not literally, I'm speaking about emotions and memories). It seems since I've known Christ as an adult and spent time intently seeking Him I discover wounds from my past all the time. When this first began happening I was confused as to my role in this journey. What was I to do about these feelings? How was I to heal? To move on? To rebuild? I thought following Christ meant that I was not defined by those events.

Well, I believe because I was seeking Him, I found people who were so full of passion, grace, mercy and a willingness to walk this path with me that I found my way in and through the path less traveled of forgiveness. I learned from these amazing individuals that forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. Offering forgiveness doesn't mean that you no longer hurt or have negative feelings about the offense or offender. Offering forgiveness is simply freeing yourself of the burden of the ordeal and allowing yourself to move through the process of healing. Without forgiveness I don't believe you are truly capable of healing, no matter how much time has past.

Forgiveness, I believe, in our society is seen as something we offer to benefit the offender and so we choose very regularly to not offer this gift up. After all, it is socially acceptable to deny the one who hurt us no matter how deeply or insignificant the pain is. But this my friends, is where we miss the mark. In doing this we torture ourselves. Forcing our heart, mind and soul to continue to relive the moment of pain. We freely add baggage with heavy chains to our souls.

It's like picking at a scab every time it forms. It never allows the cut to heal properly. It can get infected, never heal, get staph or many other bad things. However, if you acknowledge the hurt and pain, allow the bleeding to stop, clean it with soap and water, bandage it and wait it'll get a little bit better everyday.

Forgiveness isn't a solution to problems either. It's not something we can earn. It is not for sell. It is not a one-step process. It is not weakness. It is not a one-way ticket. Forgiveness is not a get out of jail free card. Forgiveness is not ignoring or denying that you are broken. Forgiveness isn't a misjudgement or misunderstanding.

Forgiveness is Free. It offers Freedom. It is Powerful. It is life altering. It is amazing and wonderful and terrifying all at the same time. Forgiveness is Difficult. Forgiveness often requires many attempts. Forgiveness is good. Forgiveness is allowing God to be in control.

There are so many times I've forgiven those that have hurt me and yet, I regularly am reminded to continue to forgive. For me, it's difficult to remember when those memories creep up and the emotions take over that I have already forgiven for that. So I must get on my knees and forgive again. Asking God to be in control, help me to let it go, heal my heart and soul back to wholeness and show me how this pain will benefit others around me.

God uses all things for good. Even those bad, nasty, ugly things we don't like to talk about or deal with. Forgiveness has to be the first step on the road to healing so that you can change lives through your misfortune. It's symbolic of the cross and how Christ died for us, because of us. He was wonderful and perfect as a human, just as we see all new babies. And some people with evil in their hearts came along and messed it all up. Then He was forced to walk a road so painful He couldn't even do it alone. He relied on God to get through the rough patch and the healing began even before the hurt was over. Forgiveness was requested and offered and then given. And our Saviour rose so that we all may receive this remarkable gift and then follow in His footsteps.

40 Days

40 Days is a really long time!

But then again, 40 Days isn't really that long at all...

We are abundantly blessed that our ministry is blooming right now. We are seeing some of the first fruits and beginning growth of our last 2 years of dedication on this journey. I think it is fit timing that we are experiencing this awesomeness during the 40 days of Lent. This is a time we spend focused on Him and what He has given us. There is a huge opportunity as our mission explodes for us to step into the flesh and try harder to make this all work, but this time of year we try SO hard to do the opposite. We desire to let Him step into our flesh and do His work with and through us.

So needless to say, even though me the person, now on day two without chocolate (that's my sacrifice to honor His sacrifice) and a to-do list of about 372,914 things I should be overwhelmed. But I find myself peaceful. My house is mostly tidy, (Big shout out to the FLY lady!) My chores are mostly kept up with. I'm on track with my health and fitness goals. I'm staying upbeat with my children, fulfilling my roles of Mommy, Teacher & Friend. I'm building new bridges, strengthening old ones and enjoying the ride! My stress is low most of the time and I'm spending lots of time reading!

I want to say life is spectacular right now. But then when I think about it and all the requirements and opportunities at my door I begin to panic. NO way on Earth can I do this!!! (That is a fact.) Sometimes the panic is paralyzing.

Let's hope I can remember, for the next 40 days (and beyond) that He is in charge. That seems like a really long time to learn this lesson, but then again, if I think about it I can spend each day worrying that 40 days is not nearly long enough for me to actually learn and change. Then where will I be?

Answered Prayers

Hello Readers!

Today I've come to tell you that our one of our prayers has been answered! We have been asking the Lord for workers for His harvest and partners in this mission field and after three years of daily prayer as a family our prayer has been answered.

The Lord has brought a wonderful family back into our lives that we knew years ago. Over the years He has given us both things to over come and rejoice and He has prepared us to unite and share the Greatness of our Saviour to the mission field we pledged ourselves to about 2 years ago.

We are SO pleased with this blessing and look so forward to growing together, challenging one another to Love and be more like Christ. To hold us accountable to our calling and partner with us as we grow the Kingdom in Richardson, Texas.

This is offering a revival to our house and on the cusp of Lent! I believe God will be moving in BIG ways over the coming days, weeks and months.

"churches?"

I think I need a new word for a group of Christians that gather. Lately, the use of the word "church" has been getting to me.

So many times, it feels like we use the word in ways that divide instead of unite "The Church," the Body of Christ.

For example, we have different types of churches - organic church, emergent church, Catholic Church, protestant church, etc.

Or we describe church as a specific place or group of people - "my church," the church on the corner of..., etc.

Isn't Church supposed to be uniting? We are one Body, with Christ as the head. We are His Church.

What are some other ways to describe the people of Christ in their unique environments? I'd like to try using them and be more selective in my use of "Church."

I know it's semantics, but I wonder if it will help me speak my heart more clearly to those around me.

Middle of the Night Phone Call

Most of us dread hearing the phone ring in the wee hours of the night. Not just because it is disturbing our beauty sleep but because there is usually difficult to hear news on the other end. Occasionally, you'll get the phone call because a child has arrived during the night (as was the case with our two younger children). Either way your nerves are set on edge.

Moments like these, when the one in need is feeling desperate and alone, and the one trying to help is feeling desperate and alone there is only one presence that can calm all nerves; removing all anxiety and allow order to be restored. Sometimes order is restored very quickly and other times order takes years to appear.

Tonight, I am thankful to have a wonderful neighbor, comfortable enough to call on me in her time of need. Lord I pray that her heart is well and that when she calls on me again that I have been thoroughly prepared by your Word to assist her and any others that you've brought for me to love.

What Celebraties Name their Babies

Does it matter?

Well, it matters to a lot of people. I love to hear about babies being born and the details of names and birth stats, the significance of it all and the awesomeness of the experience. Do I think it odd when a baby is given a name like Apple, Blue or Exton? Well, yeah, a little I guess. But I also think it odd when regular people name their babies things like Braxton or Bella. Not that I don't like those names, but for all names listed I wouldn't name my children that.

But let's think for a second. What does the hottest, most popular, fashion forward, muilt-millionaire couple name their baby?? Like one reporter said, "Come on! You'd be disappointed if they named her Lisa" haha!

I think the problem people really have about what, especially famous and rich entertainers name their babies is that those individuals are showing the world that the rules don't apply to them. They are special! They don't have to name their babies John, Mary, Jennifer, Elizabeth, Kaitlyn, Matthew or any other 'normal people' names because they are not normal people.

So the question is, what 'rules' are you conforming to that you don't have to? You are a Christian, special on those terms and there are LOTS of rules that you shouldn't be applying to your life. Unfortunately it's been my experience that Christianity has only opened the door on rules that you should be conforming to.

Really people??

"O, you love God? Well, then you can't dance like this, be friends with people like that, or talk like this or do things like that" (Yes, I'm purposefully fague, you fill in the details).

Instead of focusing on what we can't do legally as Christians, let's focus on what we can do. We CAN offer the path to Forgiveness, Grace, Peace, Unconditional Love, Eternal Life, Acceptance and the list can go on.

After all, "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love." Psalm 103:8

Let's celebrate that and allow it to be a gift of freedom, not chains of enslavement. The societal rules of this world don't apply to us.