My Kind of Crazy

Not that my life is a life of chaos, but I have to admit if you compared my brain to my husband's brain, my mind would look a bit chaotic. It would have swirls, mountains, valleys, dizzying colors and a whole lot of drama. That's just inside the brain. Thankfully, I still have a filter, (well, half a filter) so that the world is not tormented with my crazy.

Yesterday, I had a wonderful 2+ hour coffee with a friend at the breakfast joint. Literally, it is called the Two Hippies-Breakfast Joint. Great place if you are even in Phoenix. Anyway,It was such a wonderful time of encouragement, prayer, edification and a plain ol great girl time. As we talked and shared what's going on in our lives, I found it so amusing that we are quite similar and have very similar husbands. What a joy it was to talk about the men we love and all their strengths and how much they mean to us. I think I even made a comment at how refreshing it was because there are many times when one might listen to women who have nothing good to say about their husbands. So, on and on we went about our wonderful men.

The greatest insight and thankful point I had from that visit was how grateful I am to my husband and to God for bringing me together with a man who is so wise, has such clarity, so able to love and forgive and above all (and this is the main one) he has the amazing gift and ability to see through my chaos. My chaos, that I sometimes can not see through myself. He looks straight past my ups and downs and just sees me and loves me just as I am.

He sees through the fact that the house is not clean this week and sees that we live in a house of love, prayer, faith and hope. He sees through the pile of laundry in the hallway (ok, two piles) that couldn't fit in the laundry basket and sees that I am tending to bible study, transporting kids, visiting with friends and doing the things that really matter. He sees the beauty of my heart through the chaos of my day, my mind, my ups and downs, my bad hair day, my no shower day. He just sees me and loves me.

Thank you Lord for the wise, clear minded, godly man that you have given to me to lead this family in faith towards You.

A Good Day To Be Found

There is a saying at my High School Alma Mater. . ."It's a good day to be a Bronco". Today I found myself saying "It's a good day to be found". Was I lost? No, not really, but let me walk with you my morning.

Since moving to the Phoenix area, I have found myself taking up hiking. I have the official camelback backpack to hold my water. All the hikers out here have one, it's essential. I now have my official hiking boots, low rise, as to blend in to the mass of native Arizonians.

Today took me to Camelback Mountain. I have hiked it several times and each time I make it about 2/3 of the way to the saddle. Basically by the time I make it to the saddle, I'm tired and I'm ready to turn around and I tend to be short on time. But, today I made it to the saddle with ease and had plenty of time to leisurely make it to the top, so I persevered. Each step begging the question. . . "Why, what are you trying to prove" And each step replying "I will conquer Camelback, I will persevere and not turn back."

Even though the last 1/3 of Camel back is more like rock climbing up a straight wall, I made it with a little encouragement from fellow hikers and the passing Mountain Ranger.

I made it. I stood on top of Camelback where the air was blowing and I could have full view of the city and the surrounding mountains. What a view. I stood there admiring the birds below and some above, floating and others simply hovering on the wind. It was a great sight and well worth the climb up.

(All I have to say about this picture is that I was so dazed and confused)

It was the climb down that I was not looking forward to. Going down, I definitely felt like the old lady sliding down the mountain on her behind, I could feel my legs quivering with each and every step. Then I heard the Radio call from the Rangers above me. . ."I have a rescue in progress, a rescue in progress". I though to my self, who could be in trouble. I even said a quick prayer in my mind for that person and for the quickness of the rangers. I found myself not wanting to move in case they needed to rush down past me. I wanted to keep clear.

Slightly after the radio call and the quick thinking on my part. I heard the ranger call down to me and say "Hey, you are off the trail. the trail is up here. You need to climb back up here and get on the trail." I was shocked. Were they talking to me? Yes, they were. I was the rescue. I was the lost hiker in need of rescuing and I didn't even know it. How long would I have continued on my way down that mountain before I would have realized that I was lost? Thank goodness for Ranger, for the Shepherd's that have an eye and a heart to seek and save the lost.

So, how many people are out there just like me. How many people are out there on the wrong path and don't even know it? How will they know how lost they are if we don't radio in to our Father in heaven and then throw them the line, the gospel, the saving truth?

What a joy we have been given, what a calling we have been entrusted with, to go and make disciples of all nations. How will they know if we don't tell them, How will they know that they need Jesus, if we don't shine His light on them. How will they experience mercy if we don't share it. How will they know?

Youth Impact

I just returned home from an awesome time of worship leading for a youth group. It was a group that had just spent the several hours before serving and doing ministry work. Was I as encouraging to them as they are to me, I don't know. Sometimes I wonder if our youth know how impactful they are, how the works of their hands, the fruit of their hearts really reach and inspire others to think outside of themselves. I wonder, I just wonder.

I guess as I get older, I realize how little I know and how much I have to learn. Growing up as a child (and young adult for that matter) who had very low self-esteem and tended to be pretty self destructive, I find myself so amazed and encouraged by young people who are active in their church and are reaching out to someone besides themselves.

I see them learning what I learned a lot later in life. Oh, to imagine what my life would have been like if I would have learned what I know now at a younger age. Regardless, I praise God for journey, for the grace, for the mercy cause I received a whole lot of it.

Thank you God!

Micah 6:8 he has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Emergency Brake

It was early Sunday morning, I was a little rushed and I had to pick my daughter up from a late night sleepover and get her to church where she would join her choir to sing in the early service.

I made the drive to her new friends house, following each and every turn that the sweet voice of the GPS told me. What perfect guidance and then the announcement "You are arriving at your destination." There I was, right in front of the house, eager to see my daughter after a busy few days, eager to get to church and worship and sing.

I went up to the front door where three sleepy faces happily greeted me. I stepped inside for just a moment to say hello and get the quick rundown of the night. I was engaged, happy to hear how everything went and always up for a good chat with fellow adults.

After a quick chat we were off to church. As we walked out of the house, my daughter asked me why the car was across the street. I confidently explained to her that it was not our car, but another car that looked exactly like ours and that my car was right. . . . "oops". . . not right here, but across the street and rolled over the curb.

My daughter informed me that she saw it rolling backwards, she just thought that her dad was in the car backing it up. Then I remembered that I had not put on the emergency break. The ever so slight downward slant took my little Corolla on a ride across and down the street. My trusty GPS forgot to tell me to engage the emergency break. It lead me to where I needed to go, but left me on my own to figure out the rest (one would think that I could handle this one my own, but apparently not).

As we stood there, laughing at the latest mishap that I found myself in, I was reminded that I too need to engage. I need to engage in the Emergency Brake of Life. When I go out into this world unprepared, I slip, sometimes ever so slowly, but a little at a time.

I need to remember that even when I follow the path to get there, I need to remain grounded. It is so easy to slip without the emergency break on. Sometimes the slant is slow, sometimes it's fast, sometimes we don't even notice until we are down hill and stuck up and over a curb.

Ground yourself in the word. Ground yourself in the truth. Blessed is the man who delights himself in the word, he will not stumble or fall.

Lost and Found in the Desert

It's been a while. It's been a whirlwind. It's been a process. . . . some of it good, some of it tough, but all of it under the perfect control of this Mighty Savior, our Lord, my Father and my dear Friend.

I have gone from one extreme to another physically (moved from Chicago to Phoenix) and emotionally (connected to unconnected with friends and my faith walk).

I didn't realize how difficult the transition would be. I thought that I would have to be there for my children as they went to new school and met new people, but to my surprise they were fine, excited and ready to go. My husband was settling into work and I was the one that found myself lost in the middle of the desert.

I love these words from the Desert Song.

"This is my prayer in the desert when all that within me feels dry.

This is my prayer in my hunger and thirst. My God is the God who provides."

I love that when all is still and I cry out to the Lord, "I'm all alone" that He swoops in and holds me and leads me to the perfect words of life for that moment, for that day. I love that He calls me friend and that I am His and He is mine. I love that He provides and gives purpose to everything I do, even in the desert. He supplies and quenches all the desires that I have. . . desires to serve and to sing, to worship, to comfort, to befriend and to be befriended. He is awesome and He is my friend.

The book that I dusted off today is by Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest", if you have it, dust it off too and look at September 26. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you. John 14:27. Oswald Chamber comments: "When our Lord speaks peace, He makes peace". . . . "Reflected peace is the proof that you are right with God because you are at liberty to turn your mind to Him". . . "We get disturbed because we have not been considering Him. When one confers with Christ the perplexity goes, because He has no perplexity. . . "

How comforting for me to know that when I focus on Him my vision changes. It's when I look at the world and life's situations with my own eyes that I become disturbed. But, with Christ-like eyes the world looks more like a gift and an opportunity to touch and change lives for the glory of God. Yes, the world looks like a wonderful mission field just waiting to know and experience the wonderful grace of God.

"Let not your heart be troubled"

Serve him in all that you do, wherever you are, in the desert, in the valley, on the mountaintop and on the plains. Just serve Him, love him and trust him. He is Good!

Manhattan Mission Project

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? Romans 10:14-15

These are the words that blew through the air today as we gathered in the field at the Round Barn Farm for the Installation of the new Mission Pastor for Manhattan, IL, Dan Hudson. The service was held outdoors. . . no walls, no buildings, just people who had prayed for two years, people who were welcoming him, people who were releasing him, people who had seen a glimpse of God's vision and trusted.

Today I was honored to be a part of the worship to send him into a new mission field. It was thrilling, moving, scary, and full of hope. Planting a new church and starting from literally nothing is a calling that few take, but is so incredibly necessary. So as excited as I was for Dan's new ministry, I was even more moved at the reminder that we are all called into this ministry everyday. We all carry this ministry with us wherever we go. We carry with us the power of the Holy Spirit and that is a power that changes lives for eternity. What an honor, what a privilege, what a call.

There is no need to ask the question "What on earth am I here for? What is my purpose?" It is clear . . . . to be sent. We are sent here to declare His glory wherever we are and in all that we do. There is no greater calling.

So teachers. . . declare his glory; CEO's. . .declare His glory;

Fire Fighters. . .declare His glory; Secretaries. . .declare His glory; Janitors. . . declare His glory; Pastors. . . declare His glory; Coaches. . . declare His glory;

Stay at Home Mom's & Dad's. . . declare His glory;

Musicians. . . declare His glory; Investors. . . declare His glory; landscapers. . .declare His glory; Students. . . declare His glory;

Flight Attendants. . .declare His glory;

Garbage collectors. . .declare His glory;

EVERYONE. . . Declare His Glory!

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8

Rain Jumping

My Mission today was to get the house clean for the weekend, that way I could have a relaxing few days not worrying about dust bunnies. I was doing great and then all of the sudden I heard the first few drops of rain. Instantly, my summer couch potato (my daughter) popped up and said "Mom, lets go jump on the trampoline in the rain." My initial thought was to say "No, I need to keep working" or "That's not very safe". But, instead. . . . . . .

I said "OK, let's go."

Immediately we ran outside and jumped. We jumped, laughed, slid around and had a great time. It was enough excitement to gain the attention of a visitor in the neighbors yard to tell us how much fun it looked like we were having. I think he secretly wanted to slip around on the trampoline too. I believe trampolines have a way of pulling the kid out of us. How can you be serious when your flying through the air, how can you think about all the things on the "to-do" list when the laughter and smiles of your daughter melt that all away?

The rain continued to grow stronger and then the lighting came, which was our cue to head inside. But, it was the best 7 minutes of my day and I'm so glad I didn't let it pass by. As my kids get older these moments become fewer and fewer. I don't want to miss a single opportunity.

Don't let the rain pass you by. Go have fun. . . . . . .

jump, dance, skip and a laugh in the rain.

Four things you can't recover:

The stone........after the throw. The word........after it's said.

The occasion.........after it's missed. The time.........after it's gone.

Follow Up

I got to spend the day with an awesome friend who was able to give me her honest opinion when I asked her if she had read my blog about the concert and if it made any sense to her. She very kindly shared with me some of the confusion she had in reading it which explains to me why some may have misinterpreted what I was trying to convey. So in a nut shell (a big one), here goes.

The concert was absolutely awesome, God is great and it was such an honor and a blessing to be able to share the music and be ministered to. I can't wait to do it all again. Coming off of a night like that can sometimes leave one emotionally and physically tired and there is a bit of a down that follows.

God's greatness and mercy is so many times too much for me to even comprehend and I am so completely humbled by the fact that He loves us so. It is humbling to know that He uses people like us to do his work.

So, instead of taking the last post down, I choose to hopefully clarify that I am in an awesome place of praise, amazed by Him, grateful for His mercy and humbled by His love.

God is so good and He walks with us through the ups and downs of this crazy roller coaster life.

God's peace!

A Concert of Worship

I was hoping to write about what a fantastic concert I had the other night, how wonderful the music was, how amazing the two other musicians that I worked with are and what a blessing it was to have all those people come out and support us and worship with us, because it was all of that and more. But, I find myself here today leveled out emotionally after a roller coaster weekend and just about capable of communicating my heart.

I come to this day, Monday, with a full heart in awe of what God has done, is doing and has yet to do in and through His people. I come off of this weekend filled with the joy and wonder, the hunger and thirst, the fear and love of this amazing God. Even though I was singing in the concert, I came out of the the evening having been ministered to in such an awesome way. Nathan's music, his heart for the Lord and His testimony has the ability to tap into the deepest part of people's hearts and remind me of God's word, His promises and the fact that there is nothing that I can do to earn his love. His love is so great, so deep, so vast beyond all measure and I am amazed that He loves me so.

It is that amazement, that awe, that wonderful knowledge that was felt so deep in my heart that sent this bi-polar servant of the Lord into a plummeting tailspin. It was out of that same grand amazement of His love for me that reminded me that I am so unworthy of it all, so deeply unworthy of His grace and mercy. To the same great extent of His love, so goes the same great extent of my failures and unworthiness.

I guess, only my husband can truly explain what this looks like in me. He is the one who witnesses the irrational thought process, the sadness, the tears, the fear and self unworthiness. I praise God that I have a husband that recognizes when I am under spiritual attack and calls it for what it is and then prays over me, loves me and walks along side me. I love that when we call on His name, He answers. I love that when things are dark, we can go to Him and He will rescue us. I love that my husband can sing to me the words that I sing to others as a prayer to the Lord. I love the fact that when I can't quite get myself to even want to, that the Lord commands my soul to worship Him. I love the fact that I have a husband who reminds me of it all, when I am too blinded by depression to see it.

So here I am today, after going on a three day roller coaster ride, back in a place of praise, worship and admiration of our great God. YES! It was an amazing concert and I can't wait to do it all again. God is so amazing, He thinks I amazing, He thinks we are all amazing as we are covered by the blood of Jesus. I know that I don't deserve it, but His grace and mercy just abound and there's no stopping it. I praise him for it.

"There is nothing I can do

There is nothing that I can do

To earn Your love, it's a gift from Your Son, nothing"

-Nathan Fisher-

It's What the Lord Has Done In Me

Last night I had the awesome opportunity to sing one of my original songs at the NID Convention. This convention is held every three years and is a call to all Lutheran Pastors, called teachers and lay representatives of all the Lutheran Churches in Northern Illinois. A little intimidating, yes. . . .Thrilling, yes. . . .Humbling-INDEED!

Honestly, nerves did not hit me until yesterday, the day at hand. During sound check and warming up, my nerves were fine. The service came and we worshipped. I sang my heart out in preparation for what God would have me do. I sang my heart out in honor of Him, to worship Him and worship Him hard. He is so worthy of all that I have in my heart, in my mind and all my strength and so I give it to Him, all of it!

Then came time for me to sing. I walked up to the stage confidently with my Pastor and his daughter. I took my place. I stood there and listened to the gentle strum of the guitar and to the reading of the 23rd Psalm. I was comforted by the words that she read so sweetly. While I stood there listening, I could also hear and feel the not so gentle pounding of my heart, ba-bum. . . Ba-Bum. . . BA-BUM! I wasn't sure if anyone else could hear it. It was so loud. They got me. . . my nerves were at full throttle. "God, this is for You" my heart said. "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you. . . . . " my spirit continued to pray.

My mouth opened and out came the song that I had written so long ago. Out came words of comfort smoothly and effortlessly. Out came God's spirit through His word. "Lord open my lips and my mouth shall declare Your praise!" God is faithful. For His purposes, He is faithful.

I can't even remember how many people came up to me after and shook my hand, told me how they were moved by the song, told me thank you. So many, too many. Too many to think that I had anything to do with it. That is His spirit. So while I stood there thanking people back for their kind words, feeling the glow of knowing that I did a fine, fine job. I couldn't help but be overcome with a great sense of humility.

Under the same umbrella of praise, I felt a great sense of unworthiness. I am humbled by the mere fact that God would place me, Mia, in front of all those people to minister to them. Me, little 'ol me. I will not dismiss the fact that God has blessed me to do His bidding. I accept the gifts He has given. I will not hide them instead, I will use them to glorify His Name and tell of His mighty works. But still, I am amazed and humbled that He chose to use me.

So today, a day after an amazing evening, I walk with my head hanging a little lower, not in shame, but simply resting in the shadow of his glory that shines so bright. I hang my head a little lower today not because I'm sad, but because I am so thankful for what the Lord has done in me. My head hangs low because I am so humbled by a God that loves me so much and died for me while I was still a sinner and so undeserving. I walk today with my head a little lower, my heart much fuller and my eyes fixed on Him.

Thank you Lord for entrusting me with this awesome message.

My Father's Abundance

Matthew 7:11-The Message
"Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn't a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing. You're at least decent to your own children. So don't you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?

I learned a lesson the other day, on April 22 to be exact, a lesson that completely humbled and awed me. I learned it through the extreme generosity of others to me. I learned that people are willing to give far more than I would have ever asked for. I learned that pride so many times holds me back from even asking and admitting I need help. I learned again about a Father's love for his children.

Through this experience, I was struck at how many times I have gone before my heavenly Father in the same way, too held back by pride to ask for what I really want or need. I am so often to proud to ask him for it all, instead I try to figure most of it out myself and then ask Him to just fill in the parts that I can't figure out. Then, when I do come to him for help He doesn't fill in the missing parts, He does it all. He covers it all, more than I could have ever imagined and He does it freely, willingly and eagerly.

All the time that I spend in what I think to be waiting is more often, Him waiting on me to understand, to remember how He operates, to remember how He does things, to remember His usual way of dealing with men.

Oh Lord, is this how you do things?

Thanks be to God for who He is. It is not about what he has done, although He has done marvelous things. It is just about Who He is and He is Amazing! Thank You, Lord!

2 Samuel 7:18-19

Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said:
"Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign LORD, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD ?

Worship In Spirit and Truth

Back from Easter worship and I return home, filled, amazed, touched, and reassured of God's love for me and just how far He will go to save a wretch like me. Today Jesus called me by name and again said, "Mia, I forgive you".

The Easter service at Family of Christ, CO would, I guess, technically be described as a blended service. There was liturgy, hymns (old and a new original), and contemporary praise music. But I did not come out of this service able to tell where the division was. It was pure worship from beginning to end. Whether it was a hymn being sung or liturgy being chanted it was all done with the passion that Christ calls us to worship Him in. When the congregation sang, they sang with all their hearts. When the pastor preached , he preached in confidence and truth. When the choir sang, they lifted up beautiful harmonies and when the praise team lead they raised His banner of Victory high.
It was amazing worship, It was an amazing day.

Saviour, He can move the mountains.
My God is Mighty to save, He is Mighty to save.
Forever, (He's the) Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave, Jesus conquered the grave.

Zephaniah 3:17

Worship Session

So here I am a day after our recording session and I am still aglow. What a rich feeling it is to come out of a session. The adrenaline, the excitement, the hard work all adds to the rush. It was an amazing night of recording-It was an amazing night of worship.

At times, I found myself lost in worship and forgetting where I was, but knowing that the people I was working with would simply follow where I was going and worship right along with me. Then there was the time when I began to think too much, it was at that time when my husband came in to the recording area and put his hand on my arm and gently whispered, "Honey, your thinking to much." That was all he had to say to instantly steer me back to the place where I wanted to be, in the presence of my Father worshiping Him.

Am I a perfectionist? I don't think so. Did I want the recording to be the best? Yes, but more than that I wanted it to be pure raw worship with all it's joy and with all it's blessed imperfections. What you see is what you get from me. I am not the best singer, I am not the best piano player, but, I love the Lord and I love to worship Him and lead others to do the same.

You may not be the best, but when you offer it up to in the Name of Jesus, He will use it and by His spirit it will not return empty. What do you have in your life to offer up to Him? If you answered nothing, go back and re-think. Ask a friend, who may see you differently, what quality or gift you have that can be offered up in the name of Jesus. He will use you. Offer it up!

Children

As a children's choir director, I have the opportunity to hear the best and worst of children's voices. The kids that I direct tend to give me the best. Today was no exception, as I stood in front of the choir, I paused from directing to simply basking; basking in the words that they were singing and the message that they were preparing for the ears of those who would come to worship. Do they know how they move me? Do they know the power that is in the words that they sing? Do they know that it is more than a song?

When they had finished singing, I let the last note echo, resonate and just fill the room. Then I shared with them (although they may have thought it preaching by the random outburst of applause and "Amens" that followed my inspirational talk) how they never know who is listening to this song and the fact that someone might come to church that night wondering about God and how to hear Him, how to know that he is real. And then along come my little Ministers of the Gospel to sing these word, the words that ministered to my heart this day, in this little school, by these amazing young instruments of peace.

Are you listening to the voice of Jesus, Can you hear Him calling,

Calling to you, Calling today.

Are you listening to the voice of Jesus, Can you hear Him calling,

Calling to You today.

He speaks through the wind that blows from day to day.

He speaks through the sun that shines so bright.

He made all these things to let you know that he is the Truth and the Light.

He's Calling for You today.

by William E. Green

Who Am I?

Reflection from today's bible study,

"Walking By Faith-Lessons Learned in the Dark"

by, Jennifer Rothschild

A Worship chorus:

Who am I , Who am I, Who am I

That You love me, That You love me

That You love me?

Psalm 8:3-5 David asks the question, "What is man that you are even mindful of him?" I echo this thought so many times, sometimes more emotionally than other times, but today I am again stuck that He loves me that He came back to find me and save me.

Who am I, that You love me?

In Him, I am the offspring of Christ

In Him, I am the righteousness of Christ

In Him, I am the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit

In Him, I have my being

In Him, I have freedom and confidence

In him, I am everything; Without, I am nothing.

Who am I . . . . . . .

I am His child.

Who are you? Have you asked yourself lately? In whom, in what or where do you find your identity?

Who are you that God is mindful of you?

Extra Ordinary Justice

Today, I had the opportunity to go and support a young man at his court case, a young man who is teaching me to learn something new each day. I felt a little odd being there, but his big smile just draws you in and makes you feel very welcome in a difficult situation.

As I sat in the small court room I felt called to pray, called to open my bible and just be lead by the Lord. Aside from the scripture, I prayed according to something that I saw. I saw many people going about their day. To them this appeared to be another ordinary day at the office, but we came into this room nervous and not fully knowing what to expect.

I prayed for the judge who comes into this room each day hearing the same old story, day in and day out. I asked God to refresh him, to bring him into this court room with a different set of eyes. I asked for him to have eyes of mercy to see this day and this young man as extra-ordinary. I prayed for extraordinary mercy, justice and wisdom from-this day.

I prayed for the lawyer who represents many different people on a daily basis. I asked God to give him a sense that this is no ordinary young man, that he would rise up to be the extraordinary voice for an extraordinary person. That he would come with a sense of integrity, truth and determination.

I prayed for young women next to me, I prayed his mom, I prayed for the people there, but mostly I prayed for him, that he would follow Psalm 1 and delight himself in the Lord and His truth.

I claimed these verses for him today:
Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.
1 Peter 3:14b Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened

I do not know exactly what the outcome of today was, but I trust the Lord for it. I trust him to care for it all.

What verses can you claim this day and pray for someone you know?

Fasting to Feasting

It's too bad our days aren't lived on mountaintops. I love mountaintop experiences. I love feeling so close to my Lord and Savior that I could reach out and touch Him. I love the high. However, the reality is that we may not always remain there. But, the good news is that no matter where we are, we can worship him with all our heart, soul and strength on a daily basis.

I learned this in a new way a few weeks back. I was called to fast and after a little over a week, it was ended. It was very sad to me. I mourned my utter dependence and the communion that I was having with Him. To go through each minute of the day calling on His name for strength brought me so close and so attentive to Him and His voice. I didn't want it to end.

I was under the belief that this fast would last for weeks as other fasts have and that it was the denial of food that was bringing me close to Him. In actuality, for me, it was the denial of my own strength, my own plans and just listening to His voice that brought the sweet communion. I was reminded that I am called to be in constant communication, constant dependence on Him to get me through every minute whether fasting or feasting.


So, if we are found on mountaintops in Praise, on our knees, humbly fasting from food, in the valley of depression, anywhere, we can worship Him and worship Him hard. Let this retreat, this fast from worldly and self dependence that we are striving for continue each day. Let the Praise and communication never cease.