The Warrior Bride

Heaven's Rain

2008-08-20T23:03:00.002-05:00

Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth." Hosea 6:3

Rain. As I sit and watch the raindrops fall and listen to the lightness and calmness of their descent, I’m captured by the Creator of the Universe. In the same way that earth’s surface is the rain’s destination; we, as human beings, are the only ones who can receive, feel and experience the fresh pure rain of our Lord. Our heart’s soil is the very surface on which Heaven’s rain is longing to seep into. It is destined and purposed to cleanse, remove unclean particles, to soak up dryness and create life, bring about lushness, quench the soul’s thirst, and to rejuvenate the wilting heart.

Our hearts, our inner sanctuaries, need to be consistently washed and renewed by the Lord’s cleansing rain. For it says, in Hebrews 10:22-23, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” To do so, we need to remove our umbrellas of apprehension, throw off our rain coats, kick off those rain boots and allow the Holy Spirit to drench us with the rain of His purifying presence. Let’s lift our faces to Heaven’s floodgates and allow our Savior to soak us. To let every drop that hits our heart’s soil bear the fruit of righteousness. As Isaiah 45:8 states, "You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the Lord, have created it.” After we’ve allowed His rain to wash out our inner sanctuaries, the reward will be the rainbow of His righteousness radiating through us, we will then be a beautiful reflection of the One we love and serve. Every decision made, every thought taken captive and every word carefully spoken will be crisp colors that will sparkle and attract the world to something they are thirsting after, and that is the freedom we will have found with being able to dance in Heaven’s rain! You and I will be able to testify, that even though cleansing can be painful, the outcome far exceeds the throb of the moment.

When we force ourselves to step out from the shadows and allow the rain to fall directly onto our heart’s top soil that is when we will be able to bear the fruit of righteousness, that is where spiritual growth will occur and that is the place when our lives can have a ripple effect on those around us. Just as the rain drop hits a bed of water, or a small puddle and causes many ripples to transpire, the same with our lives.

The rolling heavy clouds shift in the overcast blanket above, our bare feet hit the pavement; we have come to the place of decision of either going forward or turning back to go for cover. Which will it be? Will we leave the comfort of our dark sheltered dwelling? Or will we run and abandon ourselves to the steady cleansing rain, His purifying rain that can not only instill in us a joy unfathomable, a hope irresistible but also a love that is so deep that we are not able to reach its end. Rest assured, it is worth it.

Update on Stephanie

2008-07-10T16:41:00.002-05:00

Hello Dear Friends,

I'm so sorry for not posting in a long time. My life has been extremely busy! :) I've been directing a documentary on the life and ministry of Nick Vujicic, titled, "Measure of a Man." Also, I've been directing some webisodes for Nick's ministry, Life Without Limbs. I've been in California working for LWL since June 23rd and will be flying back home on the 18th! Life is going great! God has been so faithful and has been teaching me so many things.

My plans for this fall, as of right now, are to write a devotional book for girls, lead a girl's Bible-Study, work on a couple of house projects and go on several mission trips. I'm really hoping to go to Ethiopia, in December, to help out with an orphanage.

God has been giving me so much joy! He has been stirring in my heart specific things He is asking me to do for His Kingdom. He is teaching me that when I allow myself to be sweetly broken before Him, that is the place, the heart position where He can be the lifter of my head.

I will definitely be posting more once I get home from Cali! Blessings on all of you!

Love,
Stephanie

Creator Of The Universe

2008-05-21T19:42:00.004-05:00

I, The Creator Of The Universe, am with you and for you. What more could you need? When you feel some lack, it is because you are not connecting with Me at a deep level. I offer abundant Life; your part is to trust Me, refusing to worry about anything.

It is not so much adverse events that make you anxious as it is your thoughts about those events. Your mind engages in trying to take control of a situation, to bring about the result you desire. Your thoughts close in on the problem like ravenous wolves. Determined to make things go your way, you forget that I am in charge of your life. The only remedy is to switch your focus from the problem to My Presence. Stop all your striving, and watch to see what I will do. I AM THE LORD!

Romans 8:31-32 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Song, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Micah 7:7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

*Devotional e-mail was sent to my Dad and he passed it on to me.

Dancing in His Rain

2008-05-02T07:15:00.001-05:00

Lately, I’ve just felt so overwhelmed by the love of the Lord. I feel like the Father is allowing His spring and winter rains to just pour over me. “Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.” Hosea 6:3, 10:12 I’m letting it soak me and allowing nothing else to pull me away from this amazing moment, this special season in life. I want to be at the place where every drop of His presence absorbs and completely saturates every heartstring, every fiber of my being, my very soul. I want to dance in His rain! I want this incredible love to drive me to yearn for my heart to beat in rhythm with His. My heart’s cry is for the Lord’s desires to be my desires, His thoughts to be my thoughts and His words to be my words. I want to be a daughter who is attentive to my Heavenly Father’s consistent whispers; the intimate secrets that He is so prepared to unfold before my very eyes. “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7 Father, I truly stand amazed by how wide and long and high and deep Your love is! Jesus, you take my breath away!

How He Loves

By: John Mark Mcmillen

He is jealous for me,

Loves like a hurricane,

I am a tree,

Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.

When all of a sudden,

I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,

And I realize just how beautiful You are,

And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,

Oh how He loves us,

How He loves us so

Yeah, He loves us,

Oh how He loves us,

Oh how He loves.

Yeah, He loves us,

Oh how He loves us,

Oh how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize,

Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,

If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.

So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,

And the heart turns violently inside of my chest,

I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,

When I think about, the way…

Fragrance of Christ

2008-01-02T19:25:00.000-06:00

"For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."2 Corinthians 2:15

Sisters, I hope each of you had a very Merry Christmas and if you had or were at a New Year’s Eve party…I hope you didn’t stay up tooooo late! J LOL! JK! I actually stayed up till 3am! Yep, I know…I’m a night owl!

Well, I was thinking to myself, you know, it’s about time for another blog post! So, I decided to write some thoughts I had about we, as Christians, being the fragrance of Christ. David wrote in the Psalms 141:2, “May my prayer be set before You like incense.” We each have an aroma that we carry with us, wherever we go. But, for us to have the ability to permeate the atmosphere around us, we have to take the time to sit at our Heavenly Father’s feet. We are called to be still, He beckons us to take the opportunity to be quiet and hear what His heart is longing to impart to ours. Communication not only involves words, but it also incorporates listening ears. In a sense, we need to be at the place to allow the Father to open up the spiritual windows of our hearts. Zach Neese, worship pastor from Gateway Church, states, “Prayer, like incense, is designed for fire. It only rises if it burns, and when it burns, it changes the atmosphere. A life lived in open and passionate communication with God does the same thing-it burns and changes the atmosphere of the world it lives in.” Wow! So true!

A friend of mine and I were talking and she mentioned this beautiful analogy about us, representing candles. There has to be a flame for the wax to melt…only then is it pliable and moldable. We are that candle. Our flesh has to surrender when we allow the light and love of Jesus Christ consume our beings. With the power of Christ, we can overcome the painful tests of dying to self by choosing to allow the Lord to conform us to Himself. We are also clay that rests in the Master’s hands. Isaiah 64:8 says, “Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” We are oaks of righteousness, displays of His glory. In Isaiah 61:3 it states, “They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” We are all testimonies of God’s faithfulness, displays of His majesty, trophies of His glory at work in our lives! We are also called the fragrance of Christ! Let’s make prayer a priority in our lives, that way we can bring a different atmosphere to a lost and dying world. Communion with the Father, all throughout the day, will even strengthen the breathtaking fragrance of our lives; it will allow us to radiate the love and joy of Jesus to every soul that is saturated by its sweet presence. Be that holy fragrance to everyone around you!

Pour My Love On You

By: Phillips, Craig and Dean

I don't know how to say exactly how I feel

And I can't begin to tell you what your love has meant

I'm lost for words

Is there a way to show the passion in my heart

Can I express how truly great I think you are

You're my dearest friend
Lord this is my desire to pour my love on you

Like oil upon your feet

Like wine for you to drink

Life water from my heart

I pour my love on you

With praises like the perfume

I lavish mine on you

Till every drop is gone

I pour my love on you

Blessings,

Stephanie

How Many Kings

2007-12-07T10:40:00.000-06:00

How Many Kings

Written By: Down Here Band

Follow the star to a place unexpected

Would you believe after all we’ve projected

A child in a manger

Lowly and small, the weakest of all

Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mothers shawl

Just a child Is this who we’ve waited for?

Cause how many kings, stepped down from their thrones?

How many lords have abandoned their homes?

How many greats have become the least for me?

How many Gods have poured out their hearts

To romance a world that has torn all apart?

How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Bringing our gifts for the newborn savior

All that we have whether costly or meek

Because we believe

Gold for his honor and frankincense for his pleasure

And myrrh for the cross he’ll suffer

Do you believe, is this who we’ve waited for?

(It’s who we’ve waited for)

How many kings, stepped down from their thrones?

How many lords have abandoned their homes?

How many greats have become the least for me?

How many Gods have poured out their hearts

To romance a world that has torn all apart?

How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Only one did that for me All for me All for you All for me All for you

To listen to the song go to: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=23104425

Christmas is approaching...

2007-12-04T11:46:00.000-06:00

Christmas is approaching. The weather is getting cold and crisp, boxes of decorations are being taken down from the attic, red and white candles are lit, Christmas trees are being bought, twinkle lights are glowing from neighboring houses, Silent Night and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer tunes can be heard on the radio and in shopping malls, Christmas parties, Christmas cards, eggnog and peppermint lattes are being served in local coffee shops, holiday sweaters are being worn, toys are being bought and words such as, “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holiday’s” are on people’s lips as you pass by. It’s an exciting season. A busy season for most. But to some a difficult season.

During this special season many experience heart ache. To some, it may be the loss of a loved one not present in the midst of this joyous celebration. For some, it could be the loss of a mother, father, brother, sister, child, uncle, aunt, or grandparent. Christmas memories are remembered as family traditions begin to unfold and holiday recipes are taken from the family's heirloom cookbook.

In Isaiah 61, it states, The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

Sisters, let’s keep our spiritual eyes open and our ears tuned towards the Lord’s voice. Let’s be sensitive and obedient to comfort those who are grieving. To those who are hurting. To those who are in need during this Christmas season. Let’s make it our mission to be an answer to a child’s Christmas wish and heartfelt prayer. Let’s live lives that give and pour into others not just specifically during this holiday season but all year long. Lives that impact people’s worlds and embrace hearts for the glory of Lord.

Blessings during this Christmas Season,

Stephanie

Tears

2007-11-19T14:35:00.001-06:00

The tears fall, they're so easy to wipe off onto my sleeve, but how do I erase the stain from my heart? Author Unknown

Nick Vujicic (www.lifewithoutlimbs.org) quotes, "Tears are a language the Father understands." You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8 Salty bitter water droplets that flow from an individual's heavy eyes paint a canvas of agony, pain, hurt, repentance, grief, loneliness, rejection and anger.

Tears are usually the after effect of a circumstance that has caused a tsunami of tidal waves to beat against you with the sole intent to drown you into the depths of disbelief and fear. Save me, O God; For the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary with my crying; my throat is dried: Mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. Psalm 69:1-3

There are even moments when the storms of life may be a season of testing when the Father is trying to make you all the more pure and equipped for the greater mission He is unfolding before you. There have been times in my life when I’ve cried myself to sleep, when I’ve been on my knees wailing my heart’s questions to the Lord…searching for answers…wanting the truth…needing the burden lifted from my shoulders. The Father understands our tears even though a word may never be uttered from our lips. He hears the whispers and even the screams of our hearts. The waves and undercurrents can knock and toss us like helpless paralyzed infants in need of someone greater and that someone is Christ. All it takes for us to be rescued is a cry to the One who is able to save us from drowning in our own sea of tears. His hand is ready to pull us from the clutches of fear’s depths. He is there waiting. He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. The Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. Psalm 18:16, 17, 18b, 19

Are you going to call out to Him? He is right there with you. He is standing above you, looking down at you. He is longing for you to call out to Him. Will you? Will you allow Him to wipe away your tears and replace those tears with His smiles? With His joy? Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:1-4

God moves in a mysterious way. His wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm. William Cowper

Blessings, Stephanie

Bella

2007-11-03T00:08:00.000-05:00

Today, my family and I went to go see the movie, Bella. As I sat in the dark theater with the film rolling before my searching eyes, my heart sang as a powerful message unfolded on the screen. This movie will dramatically impact your life. Its gripping story, lovable characters and heartwarming uniqueness brings a breath of fresh air to the film industry that has so viciously bombarded our minds with messages that mock the teachings of our Lord. This film is so amazingily packaged with the meaning of true friendship, loyalty, love, life, respect, family, hope and the love of life. Please go support this movie! The church needs to have open arms to those who are broken and weary. To those hurting. To those who are spiritually blind. To those in need of a miracle of hope. We have the truth. We know the one who heals bleeding hearts and restores shattered worlds. Let's let our light shine! Let's allow ourselves to be God's instruments to those in need. An answer to someone's prayer. Young men and women, this is the time to be bold! To not be ashamed of what we have been given!

Isaiah 61:1-4 states,

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

Here is a review I found online, written by Rebecca Grace (Guest Columnist from OneNewsNow.com) that gives specific details about this particular film:

From Metanoia Films comes Bella, the story of José, a washed up pro athlete, who reaches out to Nina, a young waitress whose world is crashing down around her. The two spend a day together in New York, and it changes both of their lives forever as José shows Nina the importance of family, life and love while trying to come to grips with a haunting past of his own. It’s a story of healing as both grapple with life-changing decisions in the midst of the unexpected, while an innocent life hangs in the balance. It’s a film that defies the norms of Hollywood and is a profound illustration about the impact one life can have on another. Bella has a Latino flare to it and delivers a realistic depiction of the close-knit Hispanic culture. The traditional family is portrayed in a very positive way as is the topic of adoption. The film is emotionally engaging and contains no sex or nudity. The timeline of the film can be confusing at times, so it’s important for viewers to see it through to the end, where it wraps up in an amazingly touching way. It’s important to note that Bella does deal with an unwanted pregnancy and the issues that surround that – such as abortion. It is rated PG-13 for thematic elements and brief disturbing images. There is a small amount of blood shown in a scene that depicts a tragedy. There are elements of smoking and drinking in the film, along with one reference to drug use. The film contains two crude terms and one instance in which a profanity is implied. Due to the theme of the film, AFA does not think it is suitable for young children. But for those mature enough to handle the unexpected trials of life, Bella is an impressionistic film with a subtle but powerful message that will make your heart smile. Bella is set to release in October in select theaters nationwide. More information is available at http://www.bellathemovie.com./ Or read more about God’s providence in the making of Bella when actor Eduardo Verástegui shares of his life-changing visit to an abortion clinic and other stories that show how God is using Bella to impact the hearts of its viewers.

Please go and support this film!

Blessings,
Stephanie

Update on Stephanie :)

2007-10-30T19:44:00.000-05:00

Alrighty, I got my cast off yesterday!!!!!! It was so exciting, scary and fun at the same time! The saw was pretty ummm....interesting! The sweet nurse kind of made me a little nervous, she was telling me that someone had taught her a new way of taking off a cast and then was saying how she hated using that particular saw. I was so worried she'd cut my leg up! I've heard stories!

Well, the reason I'm so sad is because I'm imprisoned to a boot brace for 4 weeks. AND I have to go to therapy every week! I thought my whole broken foot experience would be over today but it's not... PLEASE BE PRAYING FOR ME!!!!! I am dying to RUN, PLAY VOLLEYBALL, WALK and DANCE!!!!!! ANYTHING WITH BOTH FEET!!!!

God is definitely teaching me patience during this whole experience! LOL! Really teaching me to trust Him! He definitely wants me completely dependent on Him alone! This past month, well almost two months of not walking on two feet has been a rollar coaster! The Lord is so faithful! He truly is carrying me! *Your Sister in Christ, Steph

I Choose To Stand

2007-09-21T14:47:00.000-05:00

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. Psalm 18:33

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5

Just recently, I heard about a young man by the name of Nick Vujicic, he is 24 and lives in Australia. Because of my broken foot, I've been laid up and just a few days ago a friend of mine dropped by to visit me and in our conversation she mentioned a young man with an amazing ministry and ground shaking faith! I went to youtube and searched. A video came up of him ministering to a congregation. Nick has no arms and no legs, but inside him burns a heart that is on fire for the Lord Jesus Christ. He spoke forth with genuine passion and with unashamed boldness. As my eyes fell upon this life changing video I was left sitting on the couch in awe. I couldn't say anything. My deep thoughts were drowning out any opportunity for words to escape my lips. Nick's parents had no warnings, nothing to prepare them for what lay ahead of them. The day when Nick was born, nurses wept and hid him from his mom, their entire church mourned, minds were being swarmed with questions, doubts and fears. Nick has gone through times of depression, even to the point of being suicidal at the age of eight. He's gone through the cruelties of kids behaviors and the critical looks of complete strangers. This mighty giant of a man has endured through many tough deserts of fear, has crossed through many empty valleys of loneliness and has climbed triumphantly over steep mountains with the drive of seeing his Lord glorified!

Nick states, "I have complete peace knowing that God won't let anything happen to us in our life unless He has a good purpose for it all. I completely gave my life to Christ at the age of fifteen after reading John 9. Jesus said that the reason the man was born blind was "so that the works of God may be revealed through Him." I truly believed that God would heal me so I could be a great testimony of His Awesome Power. Later on, I was given the wisdom to understand that if we pray for something, if it's God's will, it'll happen in His time. If it's not God's will for it to happen, then I know that He has something better. I now see that Glory revealed as He is using me just the way I am and in ways others can't be used." Praise the Lord! Nick travels and speaks worldwide with the sole purpose of spreading the Gospel to all people! For more information about Nick go to: http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/

Nick's story has inspired me to live my life to impact others for the Kingdom! To live with an eternal perspective. To be driven by eternity! As this quote states,“Only one life - ’twil soon be past! Only what’s done for Christ will last!” May we all join hands in unity to spread the Good News to all people. Planting seeds that will soon result in a massive harvest. Let's take the torch and pass it's fire, let's catch hold of the baton that the Lord longs for us to pass on to others! We can start a chain reaction...it all starts with us being obedient to call of the Lord! Friends, heed His voice. Let it begin right here, right now. Let's choose to stand with arms high and heart abandoned!

The Stand

By: Hillsongs United

You stood before creation

Forever within Your hand

You spoke all life into motion

My soul now to stand

You stood before my failure

And carried the cross for my shame

My sin weighed upon Your shoulders

My soul now to stand

So what can I say

And what could I do

But offer this heart O God

Completely to You

So I’ll walk upon salvation

Your Spirit alive in me

This life to declare Your promise

My soul now to stand

So I’ll stand

With arms high and heart abandoned

In awe of the One who gave it all

I’ll stand

My soul Lord to You surrendered

All I am is Yours

Call of Courage made it into the San Antonio Christian Film Festival

2007-09-20T12:52:00.000-05:00

I have some exciting news! I'm apart of an organization called, The Dallas Christian Filmmakers (DCFM)! I'm actually one of the officers! Anyway, we made a film this past Summer in Ardmore, Oklahoma and it made it into the San Antonio Christian Film Festival!!!! And I actually got to have three lines in our movie! There are apx. 150-200 short films that are sent to SACFF but only 30 make it to the Semi's! Well, ours did! We are so excited! God is so good! We are all so thrilled about the Film Festival! I'll keep ya'll updated...

For more info about our movie: http://www.dallaschristianfilmmakers.org/

*Steph

Laid Low...But Spirit Is Up

2007-09-19T14:45:00.000-05:00

I broke my foot! Well, I was in the emergency room last Wednesday night. I got some x-rays done and the doctor came to me and told me that I had a broken foot. So, I'm now on crutches for 4-6 weeks. The most embarrassing part is how it happened. I was running in high heels! Yep! Wrong idea! I'll never do that again!!!!

Everyone has been so wonderful. A sweet friend of mine dropped by the house and brought me flowers and a bucket of Unconditional Chocolate ice-cream made by Dove. And a friend of my mom's brought me a small portable cd player to put beside my temporary bed (the couch). I feel so loved! It truly does feel so nice to rest. If you really know me I'm an energetic, go getter, ball of fire, trying to be everywhere all at once....kind of girl. It is also going to be very hard for me because I sometimes have a hard time staying put. So, in a way this is going to be a test.

Today, is my fifth day in a cast, so there's not much I can do. But even though I'm laid low, I have to say that my spirit sure is up! :) God is so faithful! So.....I have exciting news! I've started writing a book! Yes! Me! I know it's random but God is birthing something in my spirit! I have this overwhelming passion to see my Sisters in Christ preparing themselves for their True Bridegroom! Anyway, I'll keep you updated on my new project...

I'm listening to Aaron Shust's new cd called Whispered and Shouted. My favorite song right now is called, Create Again. Here are the lyrics,

Create Again
By: Aaron Shust

Separated from night
You spoke and then there was light
They point to You
Divided water from land
Bowing to Your command
They point to You

The sun that’s blazing at noon
And every phase of the moon
They point to You.
A baby’s cry and the way
A sunset closes the day
They point to You.

For You’re the only One worth praising
More radiant than earth and sky
And everyday that I survey Your creation
I see why I see why

God of everything I see,
Come create again in me
You were yesterday
You will always be
So take each breath that I breathe
And be the life that I bleed
Create again in me

The storm that’s raging at sea
The little child on her knees
They point to You
Your grace that’s poured out on me
The sacrifice on a tree
They point to You

Your Word vaults across the sky
From sunrise to sunset
Melting the ice, scorching the desert
Warm our hearts to faith
Create again in me

Some photos from the Rebelution Conference in Dallas

2007-07-25T19:53:00.000-05:00

The Rebelution Conference was amazing! I had the opportunity to be the Registration Captain for the Dallas Conference! God's presence, favor and constant supply of His supernatural strength made each of us smile and so grateful! We serve an awesome God! Mr. Harris, Brett and Alex did an outstanding job in all of their sessions! Their passion, love, dedication and genuine faithfulness to the Lord truly radiates! Joel's heart of worship shines as he lift's his eyes and his voice to his Maker. They are men who are real about their faith! If you haven't gone to any of the Rebelution Conferences then I highly recommend each of you to get on board next year! It's time for our generation to start falling desperately in love with our Lord and living lives of faith, obedience and risk...especially when it comes to doing hard things for God.

The Heart of The Warrior's Bride

2007-07-23T18:43:00.000-05:00

The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him—my father’s God, and I will exalt him! The Lord is my warrior; Yahweh is his name! Exodus 15:2-3 (Personalized)

I was curled up in a small corner of the couch snacking on chicken strips and ranch. I was watching one of my all-time favorite movies, The Last Samurai. I sat alone in a quiet room; everything seemed to be holding it's breath as the ending scenes flashed before my eyes. The thick harsh drum beats resounded off the walls and bounced in every direction. I began to cry, tears were streaming down my face...my heart was aching. I wanted Katsumoto to live! He was Samurai! He was a brave warrior! A man known for his honor! His life had left a major impact on the heart of Nathan Algren, an American soldier sent to Japan to train an infantry of Japanese soldiers to fight against the Samurai. Nathan had no idea that he would soon become one of them. At the very end, the Emperor asks Nathan to tell him how Katsumoto died and Nathan in turn replies, "No, your Majesty, I will tell you how he lived." I began to weep...I broke. My mom walked into our living room and sat down beside me and asked me why I was crying. The tears started flowing again as I tried to explain... I guess you could say the movie impacted me in a way that it hadn't before. What was it about a warrior's brave death? What made a life of loyalty and honor so touching?

Well, as I ponder, I am reminded of the Lord's gruesome death. He was an innocent lamb led to the slaughter. He was mocked. Abused. Tortured. Rejected. Friends, he did it for us. We were in His thoughts. Tom Malone states, "When Christ died on the cross of Calvary, He died with you and me in mind." We were on His heart. We were the reason. Our one true Warrior laid down His life for His Bride. It was all for us. He was the greatest example of a life of honor. We all are going to leave some type of legacy or impact on our world whether we like it or not… every word, every look, every motive…our lives are songs, their melodies. What is your life singing loudly to those around you?

The Lord left a legacy of love. Katsumoto left a legacy of honor. What about us? What will we do with what we have received from the Lord? Leo Buscaglia states, “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” Let’s follow our Warrior’s footprints…let’s choose to live and leave a legacy of love. Let’s live purposeful lives. Lives that bring honor and glory to our Maker!

~Stephanie

God's dreamers are always unpractical, but in the end...their dreams come true. -Amy Carmichael

2007-07-20T08:32:00.000-05:00

Recently, I started reading this amazing book by Eric and Leslie Ludy titled, When God Writes Your Life Story. It is soooooo good! I highly recommend reading it! Here are a few quotes taken from the book that left me in awe!

What happened to our little-kid passion for achieving the impossible? When did we stop shooting for impossible goals and start aiming for realistic targets instead? As little kids, we dream of a bigger-than-life existence. But eventually we grow up. We lose our "oomph" to keep aiming high. We settle for everyday mediocrity. We stop trying to be heroic and finally accept being average.

When our little kid passion for the impossible dies, everything worth living for slowly suffocates as well. We give up our hopes of finding a sense of victorious fulfillment and purpose in each day; of making a dynamic difference in this world; of discovering a love that lasts a lifetime; or of enjoying enduring friendships. And most of us give up hope of ever being on intimate terms with God. We scoff at the idea of experiencing a passionate love affair with the King of the Universe that transforms our existence.

But what is a movie without a conflict? Where's the drama without a mountain of impossibility to climb? The very thing that makes for an exciting story is the same thing that makes for a wonderful and amazing life: overcoming the impossible. For life to be fully lived, it must wrestle the impossible and win. For life to be fully lived, the God of the Impossible must be fully trusted with the writing of the script.

Wow! Isn't that wonderful?!!! I definitely want the Lord writing my life story! He is truly the expert! Let's let Him be the author of our lives! Let's submit our lives to Him!

Breathe On Me Breath Of God

2007-07-18T13:28:00.000-05:00

This morning, I was listening to this song that Sandy Patti sings called, Breathe On Me. I was so moved by the words. I long and desire for the Lord's breath just to blow over me like violent winds during a thunderstorm. I want God just to overwhelm me with His presence and breath. I want to hear from Him! I want be so close to Him that my heart beats in rhythm with His.

Breathe On Me
By Sandy Patti

Breathe on me breath of God
Bring my life close to your spirit
Beat in me heart of God
My soul's in prayer to be near it
Focus my eyes
To only see what's you
And breathe on me
Breathe on me breath of God

Breathe on my breathe of God
I am a vessel to be filled
Comfort me peace of God
Lord, I am restless for your will
Silence my fears
So that I may hear from you
And breathe on me
Breathe on me breath of God

Surround me in your glory
Make your presence known
Set the path of grace before me
Let your breath become my own

Breathe on breath of God
Cover my sin with your mercy
Speak to me word of God
Give me a light for my journey
Show me your way
And draw me close to you
And breathe on me
Breathe on me
Breathe on me breath of God

"And so I am joyful all the day...."

2007-07-14T10:12:00.001-05:00

"It is very pleasant to live here in our beautiful world. My eyes cannot see the beautiful things, but my mind can see them all, and so I am joyful all the day."
~So said blind and deaf Helen Keller

Fix your eyes on Jesus.

Wow! When my mom read that quote during one of our morning devotions together, I was left speechless. How could this women be so joyful?! What was there to be so joyful about when one couldn't see or hear? I can't imagine not ever being able to see the majestic snow covered mountain tops, or see all the sunrises and sunsets that our Creator paints for each of us to enjoy, or see a cool and refreshing waterfall or see the crisp fall leaves of red, orange and yellow. I can't imagine not ever being able to hear someone say, "I love you," or hear the birds when the sun breaks forth from the sleeping expanse, or hear the crunching of snow beneath my feet, I can't imagine not hearing the beautiful melodies of music. I was amazed! And I was upset to see how easily I could become selfish with the cares and distractions of my everyday life. We are all so blessed! And Helen Keller said she was so blessed...because her hope and joy was not found in her present circumstances or in her condition. She made it a point to find things that she was thankful for. Wow! Let's continue to strive to place our hope in the Lord! For it's only in Him that we will ever truly experience a joy that will transform the very corners of our lives forever!

Hear From Heaven

2007-07-11T21:39:00.000-05:00

I just started reading this wonderful book! It is so good! Here is what the back of the book states,

"If you desire to be used by the Lord, you need to grow sensitive to His voice.
God looks for those who surrender to Him, who will not be ashamed of Him, who will speak what they have heard. God's presence follows His believers. Sitting at the office, typing at the computer, resting on a mattress, or driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic-He is there.

But in the pace of hectic lives, how can we hear his voice? In an increasingly divergent global culture, thousands of distractions surround us every day. To be in tune with God, we need to remove the hindrances, put on "spiritual hearing aids" and get intimate with Him.

Dale Carver believes people can hear from God today. He insists that the "thumb-twiddling" Christian life must stop-so a life of obedience, fulfillment, and reward can begin.

Hear From Heaven and Change Your World is a handbook on how to hear God in the midst of daily life. It will open new doors of opportunity in your relationship with Christ."

It is definitely a must read!!! :)

Blessings,
Steph

Update From Stephanie

2007-07-09T10:17:00.000-05:00

Hello All! :) Sorry it's been so long since I last posted! A lot has happened!

First of all, I was in a film recently, it is actually for the San Antonio Christian Film Festival. The movie I was in is called, Call of Courage. Here is the description:
"The Call of Courage is a gripping story of two young men fighting in the Civil War. Eddie Lee is a twelve-year old drummer boy who is befriended by James McClay – an officer in the Union army. As the days pass, they become as close as brothers. As the army begins its march to Wilson’s Creek, both Eddie and James are faced with decisions that will require all the courage they can muster. As things get tougher, the Battle of Wilson’s Creek erupts – throwing the two into the most intense moments of their lives."
I was actually the mother of the little drummer boy! It was so neat being around so many cameras, seeing all the sound equipment stuff and hanging out with such wonderful godly friends! It was such a blessing to be apart of this amazing project!

2. I'm in a play, Little Women! Our last performance is tonight and this will be our fifth performance! It was a long haul...we met three times a week and each practice was two hours long! I think we started somewhere around May 8...overall I had so much fun! I played the older Jo narrating my whole entire life story! I got to share about the March family and what each member of my family meant to me, my adventures with Laurie, how Beth's death affected me and my friendship and then marriage of Friedrich. It has been such a wonderful experience!

3. Lately, I've been walking through a desert you could say. I've been living in a rut. Spiritually dehydrated. I confess to you that I have been worrying about other things and have not been giving the Lord my desires, dreams and passions. Last night, I was at a worship/prayer gathering and the Lord truly met me where I was. A friend of mine gave a word to the group of people that were there and he shared with us that God has been really working on his heart and he told us that while he was reading the Psalms, yesterday morning, God spoke to heart and told him that he needed to stop trying to attain his dreams and desires in his own strength...but to truly stop and start running after the one who can truly give him the desires of his heart. To seek the Lord FIRST above anything or anyone! Those words went straight to my heart and I began to cry and just worship the Lord! It felt amazing! It has been so long since I have truly worshiped the Lord in that way. Utter abandonment! I'm so hungry for God! I want so much to be a tree rooted and grounded in Christ that when storms and times of testing come...I will use those situations to allow my roots to grow deep. Jesus is so amazing! God is pulling me out of my rut! I am so grateful!

Blessings,
Stephanie

I will be better about my posting!!! :)

Preparing for the Wedding Feast...

2007-06-25T16:31:00.000-05:00

Let us rejoice and be glad

and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear."
Then the angel said to me, "Write:
'Blessed are those who
are invited to the
wedding supper of the Lamb!' "
And he added, "These are the true words of God."
Revelation 10:7-9

How can we be making ourselves ready for that special day?! What are some things we can do to live out our lives with an eternal perspective?

Reflection of Christ

2007-06-12T10:26:00.000-05:00

I want my life to be an fragrant offering to the Lord. I want my life to be a reflection of His love and joy. I want my life to impact lives for the Kingdom. I want my life to be a song of praise to my Lord. I want my life to be a tapestry of many beautiful colors representing every fond memory, trial, smile, tear and miracle! I want every day to be a snapshot that completes a much grander life photo! I want my life to be a life that above all...pleases Him!

Yesterday night, I met a friend for dinner, and she and I talked about the deserts that the Lord has been leading and carrying us through...God is so faithful! A.W. Tozer says, "For God to use someone greatly He must first wound them deeply." When I look at David's life, I am amazed at how many giants were put in his path. He had to face a bear, lion, Goliath and even his own King tried to kill him on several occasions. When David was given the promise that he would one day be King...he actually went back to the field. God will use those fields, valleys or deserts in life to get us ready for the mission that He is laying out before us! In just the right timing, God can move any child of His from his or her field to a throne!

Here is one of my favorite songs:

Alabaster Jar
By Zach Neese/Walker Beach

This alabaster jar
is all I have of worth
I break it at Your feet, Lord
It's less than You deserve
You're far more beautiful
More precious than the oil
The sum of my desires
and the fullness of my joy!

Like You spilled Your blood,
I spill my heart as an offering
to my King

Here I am, take me
As an offering
Here I am, giving every heartbeat
For Your glory take me

The time that I have left
is all I have of worth
I lay it at Your feet, Lord
It's less than You deserve
And though I've little strength
And though my days are few,
You gave Your life for me
So, I will live my life for You

Worthy, Worthy
You are worthy
Worthy is the Lord

Psalm 25

2007-06-11T07:19:00.000-05:00

I read this beautiful Psalm, this morning, during my quiet time! God is truly teaching me to be completely dependent on Him for all my needs! He is asking me to trust Him! To put my hope in Him! He is beckoning me to take His hand so He can take me through new fields and over new mountaintops! What has God been teaching you lately?

Psalm 25

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse. Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD. Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant. For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD ? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you. Redeem Israel, O God, from all their troubles!

You have to go through the Fridays and Saturdays of life before you get to the Sunday...

2007-05-18T11:43:00.000-05:00

Wow! This morning I listened to an incredible message by Jimmy Evans titled, The Two Faces of Faith. Here are some of my notes taken from the sermon... :)

Personally, I have been living through some Fridays and Saturdays of life and ready to get to the Sunday! Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we all are going to have to go through trials and times of testing. James 1:2-4 states, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Our calling involves pain. One of our missions is to put on the face of a fool before we can put on a face of champion. Think about Jesus. He was mocked, persecuted, spit on, laughed at and was crucified between two fools....Jesus became the ultimate fool. Likewise, we are called by God to do the same. We are called by the Father to join hands with our forefather’s of faith and become fools for Christ. I am amazed when I think of the unshakable unwavering faith of Noah, Abraham, David, Joseph, Mary, Daniel, Peter...the list goes on. They were all willing to be reviled, persecuted, mistreated and mocked because they were determined to believe in the promises of God. They were going to stand on His word!

We are called to fix our gaze before us! We are beckoned to look in front of us...to keep looking for the finish line. I know from personal experience, that the pain only increases when we get closer to the finish line. I also love the quote that states, “It’s darkest before the dawn.”

Guys and Girls, we have to constantly look to Jesus. Don’t allow the Fridays and Saturdays of life to swallow you up. Yes, Saturdays are death days...grave days....but keep remembering that Sunday is on its way! We are going to reach our promised land! Don’t give up! Endure! Run vigorously! Keep walking by faith! Let’s become fools for Christ so that we can become champions for Christ!

Blessings,

Stephanie

If you have any prayer requests about a "pit experience" that your going through right now...I would love to pray for you! Please be praying for me that I would remember that there is a Sunday just around the corner of every tough circumstance! God is so faithful!

Mighty Worshippers of Jesus

2007-04-27T01:28:00.000-05:00

Tonight, my dad and I watched some of, Hillsong United's, worship DVD! It is so powerful! They have become one of my favorite worship bands! Oh, I want so much to see my generation taking a stand in being mighty worshippers of God! I want to see young people radically sold out for Jesus! I'm tired of seeing people living in defeat...tired of seeing people going through the same cycles over and over again.... I want the world to be able to look at us and see Christ! I want them to see lives consecrated to Him! I want us to take the torch and run this race of life victoriously! I want to see my generation spurring on and encouraging the next generation to take a stand for their Savior!

What are your thoughts?

A Touching Airport Story

2007-04-24T15:38:00.000-05:00

For those of you who don’t know Beth Moore, she is an outstanding Bible teacher, writer of Bible Studies, and a married mother of 2 daughters.

April 20, 2005

At the airport in Knoxville

Waiting to board the plane: I had the Bible on my lap and was very intent upon what I was doing. I’d had a marvelous morning with the Lord.

I say that because I want to tell you it is a scary thing to have the Spirit of God really working in you.

You could end up doing some things you never would have done otherwise. Life in the Spirit can be dangerous for a thousands reasons, not the least of which is your ego.

I tried to keep from staring, but he was such a strange sight. Humped over in a wheelchair, he was skin and bones, dressed in clothes that obviously fit when he was at least twenty pounds heavier. His knees protruded from his trousers and his shoulders looked like the coat hanger was still in his shirt. His hands looked like tangled masses of veins and bones. The strangest part of him was his hair and nails. Stringy gray hair hung well over his shoulders and down part of his back. His fingernails were long. Clean, but strangely out of place on an old man.

I looked down at my Bible as fast as I could, discomfort burning my face. As I tried to imagine what his story might have been, I found myself wondering if I’d just had a Howard Hughes sighting.

Then, I remembered that he was dead. So this man in the airport, …an impersonator maybe?

Was a camera on us somewhere?

There I sat trying to concentrate on the Word to keep from being concerned about a thin slice of humanity served on a wheelchair only a few seats from me. All the while my heart was growing more and more overwhelmed with a feeling for him. Let’s admit it. Curiosity is a heap more comfortable than true concern, and suddenly I was awash with aching emotion for this bizarre-looking old man.

I had walked with God long enough to see the handwriting on the wall. I’ve learned that when I begin to feel what God feels, something so contrary to my natural feelings, something dramatic is bound to happen. And it may be embarrassing. I immediately
began to resist because I could feel God working on my spirit and I started arguing with God in my mind.

“Oh no, God please no.” I looked up at the ceiling as if I could stare straight through it into heaven and said, “Don’t make me witness to this man. Not right here and now. Please. I’ll do anything. Put me on the same plane, but don’t make me get up here and witness to this man in front of this gawking audience. Please, Lord!”…

There I sat in the blue vinyl chair begging His Highness, “Please don’t make me witness to this man. Not now. I’ll do it on the plane.”

Then I heard it…”I don’t want you to witness to him. I want you to brush his hair.”

The words were so clear, my heart leapt into my throat, and my thoughts spun like a top. Do I witness to the man or brush his hair? No brainer. I looked straight back up at the ceiling and said, “God, as I live and breathe, I want you to know I am ready to witness to this man. I’m on this Lord. I’m your girl! You’ve never seen a woman witness to a man faster in your life. What difference does it make if his hair is a mess if he is not redeemed? I am on him. I am going to witness to this man.”

Again as clearly as I’ve ever heard an audible word, God seemed to write this statement across the wall of my mind. “That is not what I said, Beth. I don’t want you to witness to him. I want you to go brush his hair.”

I looked up at God and quipped, “I don’t have a hairbrush. It’s in my suitcase on the plane. How am I supposed to brush his hair without a hairbrush?”…

God was so insistent that I almost involuntarily began to walk toward him as these thoughts came to me from God’s Word: “I will thoroughly furnish you unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:17) I stumbled over to the wheelchair thinking I could use one myself. Even as I retell this story, my pulse quickens and I feel those same butterflies.

I knelt down in front of the man and asked as demurely as possible, “Sir, may I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?”

He looked back at me and said, “What did you say?”

“May I have the pleasure of brushing your hair?” To which he responded in volume ten, “Little lady, if you expect me to hear you, you’re going to have to talk louder than that.” At this point, I took a deep breath and blurted out, “SIR, MAY I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF BRUSHING YOUR HAIR?”

At which point every eye in the place darted right at me. I was the only thing in the room looking more peculiar than old Mr. Longlocks. Face crimson and forehead breaking out in a sweat, I watched him look up at me with absolute shock on his face and say, “If you really want to.”

Are you kidding? Of course I didn’t want to. But God didn’t seem interested in my personal preference right about then. He pressed on my heart until I could utter the words, “Yes, sir, I would be pleased. But I have one little problem. I don’t have hairbrush.”

“I have one in my bag, “ he responded. I went around to the back of that wheelchair and got on my hands and knees and unzipped the stranger’s old carry-on, hardly believing what I was doing. I stood up and started brushing the old man’s hair. It was perfectly clean, but it was tangled and matted. I don’t do many things well, but I must admit I’ve had notable experience untangling knotted hair mothering two little girls.

Like I’d done with either Amanda or Melissa in such a condition, I began brushing at the very bottom of the strands, remembering to take my time not to pull. A miraculous thing happened to me as I started brushing that old man’s hair. Everybody else in the room disappeared. There was no one alive for those moments except that old man and me.

I brushed and I brushed and I brushed until every tangle was out of that hair.

I know this sounds so strange, but I’ve never felt that kind of love for another soul in my entire life. I believe with all my heart, that I – for that few minutes – felt a portion of the very love of God. That He had overtaken my heart for a little while like someone renting a room and making Himself at home for a short while. The emotions were so strong and so pure that I knew they had to be God’s.

His hair was finally as soft as an infant’s. I slipped the brush back in the bag, went around the chair to face him. I got back down on my knees, put my hands on his knees, and said, “Sir, do you know my Jesus?”

He said, “Yes, I do.” Well, that figures, I thought. He explained, “I’ve known Him since I married my bride. She wouldn’t marry me until I got to know the Savior.” He said, “You see, the problem is, I haven’t seen my bride in months. I’ve had open-heart surgery and she’s been too ill to come see me. I was sitting here thinking to myself, what a mess I must be for my bride.”

Only God knows how often He allows us to be part of a divine moment when we’re completely unaware of the significance. This, on the other hand, was one of those rare encounters when I knew God had intervened in details only He could have known. It was a God moment and I’ll never forget it. Our time came to board and we were not on the same plane. I was deeply ashamed of how I’d acted earlier and would have been so proud to have accompanied him on that aircraft.

I still had a few minutes and as I gathered my things to board, the airline hostess returned from the corridor, tears streaming down her cheeks. She said, “That old man’s sitting on the plane, sobbing. Why did you do that? What made you do that?”

I said, “Do you know Jesus? He can be the bossiest thing!” And we got to share. I learned something about God that day. He knows if you’re exhausted because you’re hungry, you’re serving in the wrong place or it is time to move on, but you feel too responsible to budge. He knows if you’re hurting or feeling rejected. He knows if you’re sick or drowning under a wave of temptation. Or He knows if you just need your hair brushed. He sees you as an individual. Tell Him your need!

I got on my own flight, sobs choking my throat, wondering how many opportunities just like that one I had missed along the way…all because I didn’t want people to think I was strange. God didn’t send me to that old man, He sent that old man to me.

John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

By: Beth Moore

“Life shouldn’t be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather, to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly shouting…”Wow! What a ride! Thanks You Lord!” - Author unknown

The Stand

2007-04-20T20:06:00.000-05:00

The Stand

By: Hillsong United

You stood before creation
Eternity within Your hand
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand

You stood before my failure
Carried the Cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I'll walk upon salvation
Your Spirit alive in me
This life to declare Your promise
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I’ll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all

So I’ll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours

Show me Your heart
Show me Your way
Show me Your glory

Throw away the classy heels and fuzzy slippers and PUT ON your hiking boots...

2007-04-19T00:08:00.000-05:00

Tonight, I got to watch the first video session to, Believing God, by Beth Moore. My friend and I started a Mother/Daughter Prayer and Bible-Study group last year, and we just decided to start working through this particular Bible-Study! I am so excited! As I sat and watched, I couldn't help but be in awe of the awesome truths that seemed to explode inside of me. The theme of this course is learning what it means to truly believe in God and living lives full of radical faith in the wonderful promises that are given to us in His Word! I came to a greater realization that my journey in taking ownership of my "promised land" (my calling) is going to be messy work. The enemy is defiantly standing on what belongs to me (through Christ)... and he certainly doesn't want to see me working on the land that is rightfully mine. Beth Moore was encouraging the Body of Christ to throw away our classy heels and fuzzy slippers and just make a decision to put on our hiking boots! The Body of Christ needs to wake-up and stop allowing itself to be paralyzed by unbelief. I need to stop whining and wishing and start believing and receiving! I now have a greater sense of hope knowing that my Almighty Father has a calling for my life! He loves me and He loves you and desires us to live lives where our theology merges with our reality. He longs to see us living authentic, genuine lives that will impact lives for the Kingdom! In Romans, it talks about God's children being more than conquerors through Christ! Titus 2:11-14 states, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." John Bevere states in his book, A Heart Ablaze, "The grace of God is God's empowering presence which gives us the ability to do what truth demands of us." We have the power to live set apart lives for the Lord...let's choose to walk in victory! Let's choose to believe in God no matter what situation you may find yourself in! He is faithful! Have faith my friend!

In His Service,
Stephanie

P.S. Guys, sorry about the shoe analogy! :)

Family Vacation

2007-04-10T18:07:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to let ya'll know that my family and I are going to be out of town. We are traveling to Corpus Christi to go spend some quality time with friends on the beach and in the water! :)

Your Sister in Christ,

Stephanie

Meet my family... :)

2007-04-06T16:07:00.000-05:00

From Top Left to Right: My Dad (?) and Me (18), My Mom (Never), Alan (17), Michelle (14), Philip (18), Sarah (16), Samuel (14)... I love my family! :)

We actually adopted Philip, Sarah, and Samuel from Russia three years ago! God has been so amazing and faithful! It cost $32,000 dollars to adopt them and every penny of it was given to us! None of it came from our pocket! When God starts something...He finishes that something! I love the quote that says, "When God orders something, He pays!"

Beauty From Ashes

2007-04-03T10:25:00.000-05:00

"Provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."-Isaiah 61:3

She was young and ordinary - a poor Jewish girl. But dwelling in the innermost parts of her being there burned a heart that reverently feared God, sacrificially obeyed Him, and willingly let go. She was entrusted with a sacred secret: a promise from Yahweh. It was a promise that she treasured and tucked away most dearly. She would carry the One who tells the oceans how far they can go, the One who’s words can catch a falling star, the One who would conquer death to give us victory, the One who holds us when we’re broken. Mary would carry THE One. She would bear this child for nine months and then experience hard labor, feed Him, change His diapers, teach Him to read, comfort Him when He was hurt, tuck Him in bed at night (maybe with a few bedtime stories), but, in the end, she would let Him go.

As I ponder this amazing story, I am overwhelmed. How could anything beautiful come out of letting her Son go? Mary had to watch her promise, her Son, be tortured, battered, bruised, and then crucified on a cross.

We, as Christians, experience trials and we ask, “Why?” But our finite minds cannot grasp the big picture. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul states, “We only know in part...” We don’t know the finished artwork yet! Mary saw what (in the natural) looked like a complete failure, when in reality, it was a battle won! What Satan meant for evil, God meant for good!

There have been numerous times when I’ve had to undergo a “sackcloth and ashes” experience. But ultimately, Christ was the Lifter of my head! He has been the one who has dried my tears when I have cried out to Him! He truly has taken my sackcloth and ashes and has given me His robe of beauty and joy!I know many have (or even at present) are going through difficult times. But please understand me when I say that it is possible to have peace in the midst of a storm.

Think of it this way: Even in a great tempest with violent winds and torrents of rain, a bird is able to sleep peacefully and remain on a swaying branch because its claws were designed to lock themselves for stability, regardless of the circumstances. In the same way, in our personal storms, we as Christian girls have to cling to Jesus! We need to run desperately after Him!

Young men and women, I encourage you that even in the most treacherous hurricane there is calmness found in the eye (the center) of the storm. Why was Jesus able to sleep soundly during the storm? Because inside He was at peace with the Father! He trusted and knew that His Abba Father was faithful and would see Him through! The same with us, even when the situation looks like it is all but ashes, God by His grace, can make something that looks so bleak and ugly so very beautiful – in His perfect timing!

Romans 8:28 – “For God works all things together for good, to them that love God and who are called according to His purpose.”

As I close, I want to encourage you with the lyrics to this powerful song called Still, by Reuben Morgan from Hillsongs Australia. Ponder these words as you exchange your ashes for His beauty: Hide me now under Your wings / Cover me within Your mighty hand // When the oceans rise and thunders roar / I will soar with You above the storm / Father, You are King over the flood / I will be still and know You are God // Find rest my soul in Christ alone / Know His power in quietness and trust

I'm at another tournament... :)

2007-03-30T22:56:00.000-05:00

Hello Folks! I'm so sorry that I haven't posted a well-written post in a while.:) My schedule has been crazy!

I'll be back on Sunday, so I'll be sure to start writing a post...

Steph

P.S. I know the picture is pretty random, but I love coffee drinks!

Congrats Alan and Samantha!

2007-03-26T20:26:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to do a special post dedicating it to my precious brother and his wonderful debate partner! They have been doing so well! But, the thing that blesses me the most... is that they give the Lord all the glory! They have been shining bright lights! Their humility is beautiful! I love you Alan and Samantha! Your love for the Lord is amazing!

Life's Seasons

2007-03-21T08:39:00.000-05:00

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

The beauty in the way God designed the four seasons is that, though each one is distinct, they all work together to bring life and growth. Spring is a period of freshness and new life. Summer sees growth and productivity. Autumn is a time for harvesting the rewards of past labors. Winter is the season of dormancy and closure. Each season has its own unique beauty and makes a significant contribution to life.

Just as God planned seasons in nature, He planned seasons in life as well. Life has its springtime, when we begin new things and look excitedly toward the future. Summer comes and we work diligently in the heat of the day at all that God has assigned to us. With autumn comes the fruition of things begun at an earlier time in our lives. Winter brings an end to a particular period in our lives. Sometimes winter brings hardship, but we remain hopeful, for another spring is just around the corner!

In God's perfect design for our lives, He has planned for times of fruitfulness and activity. He will also build in times of quiet and rest. There will be times when He asks us to remain faithful doing the same work day after day. But there will also be periods of excitement and new beginnings. By God's grace, we will enjoy seasons of harvesting the fruit of our faithfulness. By God's grace we will also overcome the cold winters of heartache and grief, for without winter there would be no spring. Just as it is with the seasons of nature, these seasons in our lives work together to bring about God's perfect will for each one of us.

Devotion taken from, Experiencing God, by Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby

Are You A Dreamer?

2007-03-12T11:10:00.000-05:00

The stone floor was hard and cold against his head, and it relentlessly whispered to him of no possible chance of undisturbed sleep. A thick film of waste and scum seemed to crawl in every direction. The stench was unbearable. The young man ran his hands through his lice infested hair as he stared up through the opening in the ceiling. The sparkling stars radiated their light as if they were billions of fire flies. The unlimited stormy blue expanse blanketed across the horizon. All of it proclaimed the finger work of the greatest Artist, A Creator that created so many something’s out of nothing. He suddenly sat up and heaved a confusing sigh, in front of him lay a puddle of rain water; he got to his knees and peered into it. His reflection seemed to yell its doubtful questions. Thoughts began to paint themselves on the canvas of his weary mind. Do you still believe that God will carry out your dreams? Look at you! You're in a prison! You were sold by your very own brothers? Your flesh and blood! Dreamer, what makes you think that they will come true? It’s impossible! Your situation is hopeless!

God's promises are like the stars: the darker the night, the brighter they shine.
–Author Unknown

In Joseph’s circumstance, everything around him only seemed to scream that his dreams were impossibilities. What I find to be so amazing is that the Bible never mentions that he became bitter or angry with God. I’m sure he was confused at times...maybe even wondered what he could have done to have all these storms rocking his ship of faith. In the book, Come Away My Beloved, it states, “My Child, I direct every motion of your life, as the ocean bears a ship. Your will and intelligence may be at the helm, but divine providence and sovereignty are stronger forces. You can trust Me, knowing that any pressure I bring to bear upon your life is initiated by My love, and I will not do even this except as you are willing and desire. Many a ship has sailed from port to port with no interference from Me, because Strong Will has been at the wheel. Multitudes of pleasure cruises go merrily on their ways, untouched by the power of My hand. But you have put your life into My keeping, and because you are depending on Me for guidance and direction. I shall give it!” Joseph’s heart was a heart willing to go through anything that would prepare him for the call. May our hearts have that same cry! A soul willing and yielding to the Lord’s direction and guidance...

God has given me a dream, a promise... I am learning daily what it means to have faith that doesn’t quit believing just because of what the clock is telling me. If your dream isn’t fulfilled at a certain time or season that doesn’t mean that it is over. Think of all the incredible men and women in the Bible, ordinary men and women like you and me, who had to walk their lives by faith! We are called to do the same! Hebrews 10:36 states, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised!” Habakkuk 2:2-3, 4c Then the Lord replied, “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it, it will certainly come and will not delay....the righteous live by faith.”

Brothers and Sisters, we are called to persevere, to believe, and to patiently wait for the promises that he has planted in our hearts, for the dreams that he has caused to blossom in each of our minds. I have to keep telling myself that God’s promises are true and that His plans can’t be thwarted. Job 42:2 “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.” Praise the Lord! He is faithful, and even though we have to go through life’s storms we can still make it through because we have held tightly to our Savior! Bless you!

Here's a song that I hope encourages you,

My Savior My God
Aaron Shust
I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed, what God has planned
I only know at His right hand
Stands one who is my Savior

I take Him at His word and deed
Christ died to save me; this I read
And in my heart I find a need
Of Him to be my savior

That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior

My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior’s always there for me
My God: He was, my God; He is
My God is always gonna be

Yes, living, dying, let me bring
My strength, my solace from this spring;
That He who lives to be my King
Once died to be my Savior

That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior

The Need For Greater Faith

2007-03-06T18:59:00.000-06:00

I hope this devotion from the book, Come Away My Beloved, blesses you...

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

O child, do not expect the trials to be lighter than in the past. Why should you think the tests would be less severe? I test all things, and there are areas of your life that as yet I have not touched. Do not look for respite. The days ahead may call for greater endurance and more robust faith than you ever needed before. Welcome this, for you must surely know how precious are the lessons learned through such experiences. Even if you are unable to fully anticipate them with joy, you can certainly gain an appropriate appreciation of them in retrospect.

Apply your heart to learn wisdom. This goal transcends every other aim, and any other good that comes out of a pressure period is an added blessing in excess.

Seek Me above all else.

Your Beloved,
Jesus

Wow! I love this devotion! Right now, I'm going through a pressure season. It's difficult and painful at times. But, it gives me great joy to remember that it is through these valley experiences that I will grow more intimately in love with Lord! I know that when I can't take another step...Jesus promises that HE will carry me! What about ya'll? What lessons have you learned when you've gone through a difficult season?

More Than Watchmen Wait For The Morning...

2007-02-21T07:29:00.000-06:00

During my quiet time this morning, I read this Psalm...

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. Psalm 130

Isn't that beautiful? I love the part that says, "My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchman wait for the morning." I want that passion! I love David's heart for the Lord, he just couldn't get enough of His Creator! I want that zeal! What are your thoughts?

Happy Valentine's!

2007-02-14T14:29:00.000-06:00

I have a praise to share...and I'm so excited about it! My Grandma and Grandpa are getting married! PRAISE THE LORD! They have been divorced for 12 years due to difficult circumstances. My Grandpa use to be heavy alcoholic and chain smoker when they were married, but since he had his stroke several years ago...he has been delivered from both his addictions! God is so very faithful! My Grandpa's one desire has been to marry my Grandma again! He recently proposed with the actual wedding ring about a year ago and she turned him down. But, God had been softening and working on my Grandma's heart for the past couple of months and just, last Sunday, she called him up crying and proposed to him! :) My Mom, Aunt, Sister and I were in the room when this took place. She started sobbing as she shared what the Lord had been revealing to her. My Grandpa was flabbergasted! His response was, "What!" He then started laughing and crying at the same time! It was so precious! This is truly a testimony of God's faithfulness! How sweet that it happened so close to Valentine's Day! God truly works all things together for good for those who love Him! I encourage you to trust Him in every situation!

I'll be sure to let you know when they set a date for their Wedding! But, I'm pretty sure my Grandma wants it to happen on their TRUE Wedding day that took place many years ago! I'm so thrilled!

~Stephanie

Keep Your Candle Burning

2007-02-06T20:18:00.000-06:00

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."
~Matthew 5:13-16

How can we be salt and light this week? In what ways can we share Jesus' love to those around us who are lost?

God's Revelation Is His Invitation

2007-02-01T12:17:00.000-06:00

Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals HIs secret to His servants the prophets. Amos 3:7

Christians spend much time talking about "seeking God's will," as though it were hidden and difficult to find. God does not hide His will. His will is not difficult to discover. We do not have to plead with God to reveal His will to us. He is more eager to reveal His will than we are willing to recieve it. We sometimes ask God to do things He has already done!

The people in Amos' day became disoriented to God and to His desires. God had revealed His will; the problem was that they had not recognized it or obeyed it. Amos declared that God does nothing in the affairs of humanity without seeking one of His servants to whom He will reveal His activity. Tragically, there are times when no one is walking closely enough with Him to be receptive to His word. (Isa. 59:16; 63:5; Ezek. 22:30-31).

Jesus walked so intimately with His Father that He was always aware of what the Father was doing around Him (John 5:19-20). Jesus said that if our eyes are pure, they will see God and recognize His activity (Matt. 6:22). If we are not seeing God's activity, the problem is not a lack of revelation. The problem is that our sin prevents us from noticing it.

When God is working in your friend's life or when His convicting your coworker, He may reveal His activity to you. His revelation is His invitation for you to join Him in His redemptive work. Be ALERT to God's activity around you. He will reveal His activity to His servants. If your spiritual eyes are pure, you will be overwhelmed by all that you see God doing around you!

Devotion from the book, Experiencing God, written by Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby

Praise You In This Storm

2007-01-31T08:30:00.000-06:00

I was sure by now

That You would have reached down

And wiped our tears away

Stepped in and saved the day

But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear Your whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am

Every tear I've cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

I remember when

I stumbled in the wind

You heard my cry

You raised me up again

My strength is almost gone

How can I carry on

If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear You whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord

The Maker of Heaven and Earth

By Casting Crowns

Driven By Eternity

2007-01-25T19:42:00.000-06:00

Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity. ~ Sean O'Casey

We are but vapors in the wind. We are all flowers quickly fading. We are only pilgrims passing through earth’s time into another realm. Time here is zero compared to all of eternity. What is our goal? What is our mission?

So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10

Most of you have probably seen the movie, Beauty and the Beast, which depicts a story of a handsome prince who becomes a ferocious beast because of a lack of love despite outward appearances. The beast’s time clock is an enchanted rose, for which he has to pay great heed. His mission is to fall in love before the last petal falls. If he fails, the curse will never be broken.

Now, think of our lives as a beautiful elegant rose. Job 14:2 We blossom like a flower and then wither. Like a passing shadow, we quickly disappear. Each soft petal that wilts and falls to the ground is every year that slips through our fingers. And our assignment, unlike the beast, is to seek to please the Lord in everything we do, say, and think. 2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. We are challenged in the scriptures to embrace an eternal mindset. What we do on this earth will be revealed in full at the judgment seat. We have to make every moment count. We have to live our lives in perspective of time without end. Even my finite mind cannot seek to wrap itself around such a mind-blowing concept.

We, as Christians, can either leave an impact on someone that will either drive them to the cross or from the cross. Whether it is the result of an arrogant attitude or from an act of unconditional love for someone, we have the capacity to leave a lasting impression. Whatever the case may be, we have the power to bring life or death to any situation. Deuteronomy 30:19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.

Thus, I encourage you to allow yourself to be driven by eternity, to look at your life through rose colored glasses, to remember that your life is but a flower quickly fading. I urge you, dear ones, to consent to being propelled by the love and fear of the Lord. Our journey is a straight and narrow path. Love protecting you from the pit of legalism and fear protecting you from the pit of lawlessness. Make it your mission to run with endurance, to pace yourself with patience, and to complete your race with perseverance. Make it your goal to run and not give up!

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:36

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Believing God for His Best

2007-01-17T14:07:00.000-06:00

This morning, after I had my devotion time, I picked up a book titled, Believing God for His Best: How to Marry Contenment and Singleness. As I sipped my chocolate caramel chai enchantment tea, :) the words inscribed on each page seemed to tug at my heart! These were not just any words typed on paper, these words were anointed and empowered by Jesus to change the focus of and impact one's life. It caused me to ask myself, "Is marriage an idol in my life? Does Christ have first place in my heart? Do I find my security and identity in Him alone? Am I willing to trust Him completely? Am I ready to embrace these years?"

If we are ready and able to say that God can have total control in our lives, then why do we aggresively hold back this area? Why can't we just give the Lord the pen to write each of our love stories? He knows our desires, thoughts, dreams, goals, likes, dislikes, etc. Thus, He is more than capable of bringing someone into our lives to carry out the mission that He has placed in our hearts. "The two will be one flesh." There will be an agreement in each other's life callings.

I love thinking of our run towards Christ as one side of a triangle. Your future spouse as the other. When you go after Jesus (the top point of the triangle) wholeheartedly, suddenly you'll look over to your other side and see that special someone running after Jesus too! It's amazing! I encourage you, keep running hard! Don't let the temptations and distractions pull you off course! Stay focused! "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33

Sweetly Broken

2006-12-26T22:58:00.000-06:00

Are we bold enough to speak up for what we believe to be true? What we believe to be right? What we believe to be holy? Do we have it in us to live unashamedly in all that we do, say, and think? Can we say "no" to the things that can so easily suck us into conforming like the world? What makes us set apart from unbelievers? I challenge you to ask yourself this: Are you prepared to embrace the cross and participate in Christ's sufferings? Are we?

In one of Peter's letter to the church he penned these words, "Dear Friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad-for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people's affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! For the time has come for judgement, and it must begin with God's household. And if judgement begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God's Good News?" 1 Peter 4:12-17

Recently, I was in a situation that I wish I could have reversed. I'm ashamed. My heart weeps. I watched a movie and I wasn't bold enough to speak up. I was worried what others would think of me. And, to be totally honest, the movie could have been worse. But, the question that rings through my mind is this, "If Jesus had been physically siting right next to me...could he have watched it?" My answer is "no."

Some may think I'm legalistic. But when I read the verse, "Be holy for I am holy," legalism doesn't come to mind. A picture that is painted on the canvas of my mind is a life sweetly broken overflowing from a heart that desires to die to flesh and cling to Christ. But how do I live my life without coming across as "holier than thou?" Where's the balance? Well, that's a question that you need to commit to prayer. Ask the Lord, "Father, does this please you? Could you listen to this? Could you watch this? Would you say this? Now, of course we will make mistakes. We do mess up at times. But, we have a choice.

I'm ready to suffer for the cause of becoming more and more like Christ. If I'm not being persecuted for being a follower of Him then something is seriously wrong. God is calling his people up to the next level, to experience Him at a deeper degree, to soar with Him to greater heights and to dive with Him into unfathomable depths. Are we ready to be sweetly broken? Are we willing to live a life of obedience tot he voice of the Lord? I'm touched as I am reminded of the scene in, The Passion of the Christ, when Jesus submissively embraces His cross.

John Bevere, in his sermon, "Trembling at His Word," he parallels obedience to a BROKEN horse preparing to go to battle. The horse will walk straight into a battlefield through all the gunfire with just the nudge of his master. The master doesn't have to talk his horse into going: "Horse, we have to go into battle it save your grass, to save your fields, and to save your food." No! The horse just goes! Let it be the same with us! May we allow ourselves to be sweetly broken before the Lord! Are you ready to count the cost? To take up your cross and follow Him? Are you ready?

Having a Quiet Heart

2006-12-16T11:24:00.000-06:00

There was the frantic clanking of pots and pans, the harsh sound of broom bristles against dirt floors and the sweet aroma of hot vegetable stew. The roughness of dirt residing on skin and beads of sweat collecting on one’s brow was visibly apparent. Jesus was here to visit! There was so much to do, in so little time!

In all the chaos of the preparations, there was but one heart that yearned to catch every word that slipped from the Master’s tongue. Determinedly, she fixed her eyes on His gentle face. His countenance was soft, but yet strong. Were these eyes truly able to see inside the windows of her soul? His heart, was it able to know every motive behind every action? His hands, were they the same hands that knit and formed her in her mother’s womb? His voice, was it the same voice that spoke worlds into existence and spun stars into the expanse? How could her mind wrap itself around such a revelation of undeniable truth and unfathomable depth? She was left in awe...

Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

As we can see from this passage, Mary was captivated by her Savior. She was enraptured by His love for her and she yearned to prove her affection in a tangible way. In scripture, it states, “He who has been forgiven much, loves much.” Mary, in an earlier chapter, came to Christ with her alabaster jar. She anointed his feet with her tears of repentance and wiped them with her hair. Since she had been forgiven by her Savior for so many things, she was then able in turn to love more than others who were not forgiven as much.

It has been assumed, by many others, that Mary’s alabaster jar was her dowry. A dowry being something she would give her husband if she were ever to be married. In addition, Jewish women, back in those days, never let their hair down in public. Only on their wedding nights did they show themselves in that manner. Truly, Mary unashamedly exposed herself in the presence of her Lord. She desired Him to understand the genuineness of her adoration. In Mary’s eyes, Christ was the only thing on earth that mattered most to her.

Psalms 73:25-26
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My heart and flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forevermore.

Psalms 27:4
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

Psalms 16:11
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Now, on the other hand, Martha was not all wrong in her service to the Lord. Often, life calls us to be busy with responsibilities and to carry out specific duties, whether it is school or work. But scripture clearly states that Martha was, “distracted”. How many distractions are set up as pit falls this time of year, with it almost being Christmas? Repeatedly, we fill up our calendars with a considerable amount of “good things” but end up distracting ourselves from what really matters most to the Father, which is a heart ultimately after Him.

Guys and Girls, together, let’s learn to keep a quiet heart before the Lord, honoring Him and worshiping Him with reverence and joy in everything we do! What can we do in our own personal lives this Christmas season to pour our love on Jesus?

Alabaster Jar
~Zach Neese
This alabaster jar, is all I have of worth
I break it at you feet Lord, it’s less than you deserve
You’re far more beautiful, more precious than the oil
The sum of my desires, and the fullness of my joy
Like you spilled your blood, I spill my heart
As an offering to my King

Here I am, take me
As an offering
Here I am, giving
Every heartbeat
For your glory
Take me

This time that I have left, is all I have of worth
I lay it at your feet Lord, it’s less than you deserve
And though I’ve little strength, and though my days are few
You gave your life for me, so I will live my life for you
Like you spilled your blood, I spill my heart,
As an offering to my King

Worthy, worthy, you are worthy
Worthy is the Lord

Pour My Love on You
~Phillips, Craig And Dean
I don’t know how to say exactly how I feel
And I can’t begin to tell You what your love has meant
I’m lost for words
Is there a way to show the passion in my heart
Can I express how truly great I think You are
My dearest Friend
Lord this is my desire
To pour my love on You

Chorus:
Like oil upon Your feet
Like wine for You to drink
Like water from my heart
I pour my love on You
If praise is like perfume
I’ll lavish mine on You
Till every drop is gone
I’ll pour my love on You

Written by: Stephanie Carrillo and Melanie Smith

A Perfect Pearl

2006-12-15T21:14:00.000-06:00

Hey Guys! I read this wonderful devotion this morning and was so very touched by it! I hope it blesses you too!"

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7

"Knowing God and having Him reside within you is a treasure of infinite value to that of a perfect pearl. The collector would readily sell everything he had in order to possess this one matchless pearl. Your relationship with God places an immeasurable value on your life. The treasures of God's wisdom and knowledge are available to you through Christ. His love now fills you. His incomprehensible peace surrounds your heart and mind. When Jesus dwells in your life, everything available to Christ dwells within you.

Paul was comparing our lives with the clay pots commonly used in his day. The contents of earthen vessels, not the containers themselves, were of great value. The jars would become chipped and broken and would deteriorate over time, but nobody thought of the jar-they were interested in its contents. Paul noted that our great possession is that which God has placed within us. When people focus on us they see a frail, imperfect, and deteriorating vessel. Nothing that comes from our flesh is worthy of praise. Our bodies are aging and losing strength. Only as we allow God to fill us and renew our inner self will people see a treasure of immeasurable worth.

Don't focus on outward appearances and physical strength, for these deteriorate. Rather, allow the Holy Spirit to convince you of the infinite treasure that is within you because of God's presence."

--Devotion taken from, Experiencing God, written by Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby

Embracing Your Field of Singleness

2006-12-15T21:11:00.000-06:00

I would like you to be free from concern. For an unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.
1 Corinthians 7:32a, 34

Personally, I am going through a season of struggle. During this time, I had a dream. A dream that in reality opened my eyes to what I had been denying myself of doing.

In my dream, I saw myself standing in front of a young man who was asking me to dance. Our surroundings seemed unfamiliar. The only thing that separated me from grasping his hand was that I was tightly holding onto a basket filled with many different unusual items, things that I can’t seem to remember. Consequently, I was not at the place to allow him to lead me. I had to make a decision. Let go of my basket...or hold onto it. Ultimately, I made the choice to let go and cling to my dance partner.

After I awoke, I wasn’t completely sure of its meaning. It was during one of my quiet times with the Lord that He revealed its meaning to me. I was flipping through the Psalms trying to find one to read when my eyes fell on this sentence: “Their hands were set free from the basket.” This is what I read that morning...I was so amazed at the significance of my dream!

The Lord says,
“I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket. In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Marimba. Hear, O my people, and I will warn you-if you would but listen to me, O Israel! You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not bow down to an alien god. I am the Lord your God who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.”

I was bewildered! The Lord was telling me that He wanted to dance with me. But my problem was that I had an idol in my life--a basket I was tightly holding onto. It was at that moment that I chose to let go of my “foreign god” that I was able to allow the Lord to lead me and take me places where I never dreamed of going.

Thus, I’m now in the process of releasing myself from the tight grip of my basket and making the choice to cling solely to Christ. For me, marriage was my idol. Now I’m coming to realize the blessing of embracing my singleness. I’m learning what it means to marry contentment. Now I know that He has me in this “field” (season of my life) for a reason.

When I think of the “fields” God has each of us in, I think of David. Where did David go after he was anointed King of Israel by Samuel the Prophet? He went back into his field. He chose to remain where God wanted him until the time was right to receive the promise God had whispered to Him.

Girls, the same with us, our focus should not be on the promise of marriage, but ultimately on embracing the field, the mission, the call God has for each of us at present. We are being issued to go out and make a difference! We truly need to learn to find true satisfaction and fulfillment in Christ alone. Girls that is when God will be able to move us from a field to a throne, all in His perfect timing...

Dancing with Jesus

2006-12-15T20:48:00.000-06:00

The lights slowly dim as the orchestra begins to compose its soft, peaceful melodies. The young couple stands facing each other. The man extends his welcoming hand, the woman graciously takes hold of it. Step by step, he leads. She follows. He leads. She follows.

In life it is the same way. Each of our relationships with Christ can be compared to a dance. The man leads, and the woman in response, follows. We, as the Bride of Christ, must in the same way surrender our impulse to take charge. Each of us must learn to submit, surrender, and die to the urge to control.

An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. 1 Corinthians 7:34b

For several weeks I have felt very distracted; so distracted that my aim and desires have been turned to other things instead of being solely placed on Christ alone. I have wanted to take charge of the situation.

I have to admit, that lately I have felt like I have been walking through a valley, partly because circumstances have not turned out the way I would have guessed. My mind is constantly wondering. My heart continuously asks questions. My soul yearning to know why I have to walk through this particular “valley of the shadow.” But I am realizing that it is during this time, more now than ever, that I have felt His rod and staff comforting me (Psalm 23). Even when I still see that there is only one set of footprints in the sand, I know that it is because He is still carrying me.

My dance with Jesus is taking place in a valley. He is teaching me what it means to truly trust Him--what it means to have hope.

Sons and Daughters of the True High King, He beckons you. Will you draw near? Will you take His hand and choose to let go of everything that is keeping you from true abandonment? Are you willing to sever every enslaving bond that is dragging you away from Him? Are you prepared to fight for intimate fellowship with your Maker? Are you ready to surrender every area of your life to His leading?

Close your eyes... and prepare yourself for a dance that will carry you across barren wastelands, through valleys, and over grueling mountaintops. This dance requires a trust that never lets goes, a faith that chooses to believe, and a heart that continually surrenders.

Dear Child, seize His hand. Follow the rhythm of His steps. Allow His voice to blur out all the other enticing distractions that constantly seem to scream out your name. Allow His face to cloud anything that may try to lure you. Fix your eyes on His.

A song that has blessed me immensely during this hard time has been Marc Schulz’s song, He Will Carry Me.

I call, You hear me
I've lost it all
And it's more then I can bear
I feel so empty

You're strong, I'm weary
I'm holding on
But I feel like giving in
But still You're with me

And even though I'm walking
Through the valley of the shadow
I will hold tight to the hand of Him

Who's love will comfort me
And when my hope is gone
And I've been wounded in the battle
He is all the strength that I will ever need
He will carry me

I know I'm broken
But You alone
Can mend this heart of mine
Your always with me

And even though I feel so lonely
Like I have never been before
You never said it would be easy
But You said You'd see me through the storm

Guys and girls, dance with Jesus. Give into utter abandonment. A place of complete surrender. A journey with Christ by your side. And know that He will get you through.

What about you? Where are you dancing with Jesus right now? Is the Lord leading you through a barren wasteland, a valley, or up a mountainside? Are you choosing to allow your circumstances to make you more like Christ? What life lessons is Jesus teaching you at present?