Category Archives: God Stuff

April 3, 2012 · 5:00 am

Jehovah Elohim (Part Two)

Jehova Elohim formed the world with His words.  Since we are created in His image, we are also creators.  Likewise, we form our world with our words.  We create the chaos.  We create the blessings.

Life and death is in the tongue.

It can crush the heart of another.  It can destroy a relationship.

It can heal a broken heart.  It can bring joy to everyone around.

Our words frame our world.  They have the power to transform our in lives into everything God intended them to be….

Full.

And, abundant.

And, good.

Every word begins with a thought.  All things in life begin inside of my being as a thought.  What shows up on the outside harmonizes perfectly with what’s happening on the inside of me.  You know the good ‘ol Henry Ford quote:   “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.”  You always attract what you constantly think about.  You will attract 10% of what you want in life.  You will attract 100% of what you are.

As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.  Proverbs 23:7

If you study the book of Romans, you can read into the fact that Paul was tormented by bad belief systems and thinking.  He says in Romans 7, “18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  I want to do what is right, but I can’t.  19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t.  I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.”  But, finally, we read in Philippians 3:10 Paul’s resolve to replace his negative thinking:

10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

How does Paul do this?  How does he experience the power of the resurrection in his life?  How does he experience the good stuff?  Read one more chapter over…

…one final thing.  Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Philippians 4:8

Paul learned the power of his thoughts.  So, he urges us all to fix our minds on things that are GOOD.  To THINK about EXCELLENT things.

You see, whenever you start confessing TRUTH, GOOD THOUGHTS, you don’t have to worry about what bad belief systems or thinking you need to replace.  They will reveal themselves.  When you focus on what is right, what is wrong will identify and correct itself.

Kris and I are working hard together, holding one another accountable for negative words and thoughts.  When we do, we replace it with a positive affirmation.  We replace it with truth.  Whenever you begin having a negative, destructive thought, replace it with truth.  Replace it with His truth.

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

Whose mind STAYS ON HIM is kept in perfect peace.  And, isn’t that where the good stuff flows from?  Perfect peace?  If I’ve heard my momma say it once, I’ve heard her say it one million times, “Peace of mind is worth its weight in gold.”  Now, that I have three little people of my own, I totally get it.

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March 29, 2012 · 5:00 am

Big Mama Says We Talk Too Much.

Yesterday afternoon, I found myself in my kitchen singing the words to “You Are Good.”  These lyrics rang through my head until nighttime:

Your kindness leads me to repentance
Your goodness draws me to Your side
Your mercy calls me to be like You
Your favor is my delight
Every day, I’ll awaken my praise
And pour out a song from my heart.

Romans 2:4 says, “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you?  Does this mean nothing to you?  Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”

It’s His kindness that leads us to repentance.  It’s His goodness that draws us.

My translation:  Stop judging and be so dang intolerant of other people.  God uses kindness, sweet words, and forgiveness to transform our own lives into something beautiful.

When people disappoint us….

When people don’t live up to our expectations….

Fill in the gap of your expectation of someone and what that someone actually does with kindness and forgiveness.

Even with your spouse.

Give him or her the benefit of the doubt.  When has expressing your disappointment with your spouse EVER worked?  There is a definite time and place for healthy communication.  Healthy.  There is also a time to keep your mouth shut.

I remember being aggravated with Kris once for not taking care of something before he left for a trip.  I was so stinking mad.  I picked up the phone to call him and tell him exactly how I felt about his oversight.

Fortunately for Kris, Big Mama was at my house.

“Talk, talk, talk. That’s the trouble with young people.  They think they need to talk everything out.  Sometimes, you just need to keep your mouth shut.  Put the phone down, and just forgive him.”

I’m pretty sure filling in the gap with forgiveness and a closed mouth did more for my marriage than that phone call would’ve done.

Trying to bring conviction to someone’s life never goes the way we think it will.  But kindness will always bring about effectual change.   And often times, our kindness towards others changes US.

It’s how God functions.   And, since we are of God….created in His image….isn’t it how we should function?

I am so thankful for His patience.  For His love.  For His mercy.

And, so thankful that His mercy calls us to be like Him.  Because, His ways are truly better.

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February 29, 2012 · 5:00 am

Taking More In.

It’s been seven days since I put down social networking.  It was an awkward first two days.  You know, I wasn’t shaking or anything.  I jest.   I do.  No, really.  One of my colleagues asked me yesterday morning what I hoped God was going to work in me through this.  I didn’t really have a definitive answer of what I hoped He would do.  I told her I felt that by giving it up, I would inevitably be replacing it with other things.  Things that would invoke me to be more personal with my children.  With my husband.  With my friends.  And, I am doing just that.

Through becoming more aware of the people in my life, I find myself becoming more aware of God.   After all, doesn’t God live in each one of us?  So, by being totally present with people, we become more present with Him.  It’s really a pretty awesome phenomenon, I tell ya.

A couple of nights ago, Anna climbed into bed with me with her book, The Lorax.  She wanted to read it aloud to me.  She would pause throughout the book, and we would talk about it.  If you’re unfamiliar with The Lorax, it’s a wonderful story to encourage readers to take care of the earth.  I listened as Anna talked about her desire to be nicer to the planet.  Through conversation with my seven year old, I began to see God in His creation.  Again.  I acknowledged His handiwork in shaping every part of it.  It made me want to be a better steward with this undeniably amazing planet.  So simple.

I’m loving the simple.  Breathing in the simple.  It’s wonderful.  It’s life-giving.

Here are a few of my favorite things I’m taking in:

I’m pretty sure that this is the “full” John was writing about.

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  John 10:10

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February 24, 2012 · 5:00 am

Playing the God Card.

It’s no longer easy clothes shopping with Anna Takle.   Not that it ever has been.  But, friends, it’s harder.  Much, much harder.  I had to try to resuscitate Kris after Anna asked for a bra.  In every store, little bras hung, and Anna clung to them like that little undergarment would make her world complete.

Then, she insisted on trying on a pair of shorts her father and I were not going to pay for.  They were just too short for our taste.  We let her try them on.  And, subsequently, we still told her no.  The bewildered look on her face to our opposition to the shorts let us know she thought we were being a little over the top.  She looked at me and said, “You just don’t get my style.”

I realize her intent with the short shorts is probably not to be a sexy little seven-year old.  So, what’s the big deal?  It’s probably not.  Not today.  But, it will be one day when her young innocence becomes a little more infiltrated with what society deems as beautiful for girls.  And, I’d just rather loosen the reigns later than have to tighten them.  So, I remain a stick in the mud kind of mom, I suppose.  Who doesn’t get her style.

I didn’t go into the conversation of “Anna, you are not the sum of your parts,” speech.  I just didn’t think it timely for her age.  But, I also didn’t tell her “Those shorts aren’t Godly.”  Because, that would’ve been a legalistic explanation, I’m sure.  I just told her that we didn’t think those shorts were the right choice for her today.

I think too often we play the “God card” with our kids.  It’s something I have recognized in my own parenting.

“How do you think it makes God feel when you are being ugly to your sister?”

“How would Jesus had handled this situation?”

“Do you think it makes God happy when you deceive us?”

The list could go on.

I serve a God who loves me no matter what.  Whose blood covers a multitude of my stupid mess-ups.  Who has an endless supply of grace that He lavishes on me.  So, who was this God I was teaching?  Not the One I cry out to.  Not the One who shows grace to me when I screw up as a parent.

I haven’t played the God card in every parenting situation.  There have been plenty of moments where pure discipleship abounded.  But, those times I’ve played the God card didn’t even rest well in my own spirit.  It just seemed convenient.  And, a quick fix.

So, instead of asking “How would Jesus had handled this situation?”  I might ask, “Why do YOU think it’s better to forgive?”  “How does it make YOU feel when you forgive?”

Because, friends….

Teaching our children to do right for the sake of doing right isn’t going to cut it by itself.   Through every life lesson, we need to do our best to tell them WHY His way is better.  WHY forgiveness is just as much for us as it is for the one who hurt us.

And, I have a life full of examples of why choosing to do things God’s way has made all of the difference in my own life.

So, share your own life examples with your children.  Tell them why it has worked for you.  Don’t make your children live in fear of not only disappointing you, but disappointing their Creator.  Instead, portray their King in such a way….live for Him in such a way….that they will TRUST that His ways really are better.

And, when they mess up, show them the same grace He shows you.  Discipline when needed.  But, let grace be the covering of it all.

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February 6, 2012 · 2:03 pm

Ordination Sunday.

It happened.  I became a girl Reverend.  My oldest awakened from his slumber yesterday morning and the first words out of his mouth were, “Congratulations, Mom.”  Be still my beating heart.  Anna just seemed to think that the fact her mom is now considered a “Pastor” is cool.  She tried to confiscate the red stole my dad placed around me during my ordination.  I explained to her that we couldn’t exactly keep it.  It’s like the Master’s green jacket.  You gotta give it back.  Okay.  It’s not like the Master’s green jacket.  But, sort of.  Maybe.

It was an overwhelming day.  It was humbling.  Scary.  Exciting.  Sobering.  The day delivered a new responsibility and accountability to be a deliverer of the Good News.  It also delivered severe cotton mouth.  Especially when my father put me on the spot after my ordination by having me officiate over the communion service.

I mean…I know how to do this.  Certainly, I’ve participated in enough communions in my 37 years to remember the bread is the body and juice is the blood, yes?  And, nothing like good friends keeping it real for you with a whisper from afar, “Don’t mess this up.”  Thank you, Adam Thurston.

The cotton-mouth became a definite issue when I noticed my inability to swallow the bread….better known as the Styrofoam wafer.  I chewed.  I chewed.  And, I chewed.  Until, I decided to leave it there stuck and move on to step two.  The blood of Christ was waiting, and so were a lot of hungry parishioners ready to hit Pizza Hut and such for some after-church grub.

Needless to say, communion was a bit scary.  But, comfortable.  And, scary.  It’s kind of a big deal.  Like a major sacrament of the church big deal.  All the more reason to be a nervous amateur pastor.

I am still soaking in the words spoken.  The scriptures read.  And, the words of my father as he handed me my Bible:  “This is no longer your Bible.  This is your life.”  Those words fell on me hard.  And, today, they continue to resonate loudly inside of me.

Thank you for traveling from near and from afar to support me.  You lavished me with a love that I do not deserve.  I am forever thankful for you.

And, I am forever thankful that He called me to be a servant in His Kingdom.

I love you all so very much.

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January 27, 2012 · 5:00 am

Becoming Aware of Him.

I love Him.  Not just the Hands that provide for me.  Not just the Voice that guides me.  Not just the Arms that calm me.  I love HIM.

His character.  WHO He is. 

Because, He is holy, I want to be holy.  Because, He is love, I want to be love.  Because, He is light, I want to be light.

I want more of Him.

I don’t want more of the same.  The same never moves you forward.

And, I’m learning that the more aware I become of Him moment by moment, the more my life changes.  I think differently.  I respond differently.  I see people differently.

Because, as you become more aware of Him, the more you will look at people on the heart.  You will see past their messiness.  You will see past their emotional baggage.  And, you will see the root of their pain.  And, compassion will flow.

And, then, God just might use you to be the vessel from which He pours out His healing.

You don’t have to emotionally invest into all of the people around you.  But, you sure better see every person as valuable.  We are not FROM God.

We are OF God. 

Read that again.

We are OF God. 

To not see another’s worth is to not see the worth of our Creator.

And, how awesome that God pinched off a piece of Himself and placed it in each of us?  How awesome that the more we get to know His character, the more we emanate that character?

And, yes, I realize how broken my thoughts seem on this post.  This is one reason I have found it so difficult to write lately.  He is breaking me, growing me, expanding me, and stretching me in ways that are shaking up my world. And, I don’t know how to communicate it well.

Not yet.

But, I will.

I know I will.

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January 6, 2012 · 8:59 am

Breaking the Dangerous Cycle.

One of my friends and mentors, Penny Doss, is full of wisdom.  I like to draw from that wisdom as often as possible.  We recently engaged in a conversation about difficult relationships.  We can see people as either dangerous or hurting.  And, often times, we see them as dangerous, because we feel they do not respond in ways that are Christ-like.  We feel they are a danger to our self-esteem, our emotional health, or our other relationships.  And, while we know in our gut that the person is wounded, we still find it difficult to see them that way.

So, we either consciously or subconsciously, see them as dangerous.  A threat.  And, we enter a dangerous cycle.

Whenever we view that person as dangerous, we create an environment where that person will view us the exact same way:  dangerous.  And, a vicious cycle ensues.  You see them as dangerous, so they see you as dangerous.

You are key in breaking this cycle.  Sometimes, those people we view as dangerous will say things that hurt us.  We view their actions as vindictive and ugly.  And, we want to respond to them likewise.  The first thing you need to do in breaking the cycle is realize that the person isn’t telling you who you are.  But, rather, he is showing you who he is.  Only God can tell you who you are.  So, let that principle go deep into your heart.

So, now what do you do with your hurt?  Your urge to respond to them in a way that is consistent with their behavior?  Take it to God.  Tell Him every time you are struggling.  Tell Him how you want to respond likewise, and ask Him to take it from you.  Keep giving it to Him.  Then, one day, you will realize it is His for good.  And, the dangerous cycle is broken.

And, that person no longer has power over you.  You will choose to love and forgive instead.  As a matter of fact, you will see that person as hurting.  And, you will begin to see that person the way Christ does. 

You will be free.  And, full of more love and forgiveness than you thought possible.

And, your life will be abundantly blessed!

Thank you, Penny Doss, for imitating Christ for me time and time again.

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January 3, 2012 · 5:00 am

Girl Interrupted.

Kris is watching Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners right beside me.  What is this guy in the hat and overalls saying?  Anna-pedia walks in to let us know that the Whale Shark is the largest species in the ocean and has 3000 teeth and wants to know when she can go swim with a few of them.  John Henry enters behind Anna with a few questions of his own.  The littlest Takle is behaving nicely in his bed.  All the while, I am trying to write this post.

Interruptions.

Life is full of them.  We can resent them.  Try to avoid them.  Become irritated by them.  Whatever our response, they are going to happen.  So, we may as well embrace them.

Because, by embracing them, we allow ourselves to become fully present in that moment.  It’s like that moment when you run into an old friend in grocery store.  You’d really prefer to skip the interruption and move right along with your cart full of sundries.  Wouldn’t you?  But, usually you can’t.  You stop.  You half-way listen to what your friend is telling you, because you can’t stop thinking how hurried you are.  You aren’t fully present.  And, you miss an opportunity to really be with that someone.  To connect with them and embrace them.  To embrace that interruption.

I’m not arguing that every life interruption is a beneficial one.  Certainly, there are interruptions that can actually divert us from something God has called us to do.  But, many are beneficial.  And, often times, God will use them to our advantage.

During His ministry on earth, Jesus was interrupted ALL THE TIME.  And, many people were healed during His interruptions.

We will never know how many times God is using people and circumstances to interrupt our lives.  He loves you.  He wants your attention.  And, He wants us to attend to the people He places in our lives.  This year, I want to embrace those interruptions without my internal (and sometimes external) sigh of annoyance.  Because, by embracing them, I am embracing that friend who may have something life-giving to impart to me.  I am embracing a moment to look up the history of moonshining and learn something new.  I am embracing the courage of a little girl who wants to swim with the largest animal of the sea.

I am embracing LIFE.

Most of the good stuff in life happens in between our scheduled plans.  They are called interruptions.  And, I am choosing to be present in them.

I don’t want to miss the good stuff.  Because, it is most certainly the God stuff.

How do you respond to life’s interruptions?

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September 30, 2011 · 5:00 am

Turning the Other Cheek Isn’t So Easy On the Playground.

We try to make discipleship a part of life conversations in our house.  Sometimes, we see it playing out really well.  You know, we see them practicing forgiveness, being generous, and other awesome things the Bible teaches. 

Other times, we see we need to revisit a thing or ten.

Anna:  “Mom, remember the really mean second grade boy, Shane?  He saw me on the playground today and said, ‘Well, looky here.  It’s Little Miss Anna who’s about to get her butt kicked.’”

Me:  “What did you do?”

Anna:  “I told Mrs. Walker, and she said she was already on it.”

Me:  “Good.  You handled that well.”

Anna:  “And, then I went back up to Shane and said, ‘Well, looky there.  It’s Little Mr. Shane who’s about to get his butt kicked.”

Pretty sure the whole “bless those who curse you” talk didn’t exactly run through her cute little head at that moment.

 And, to be honest, part of me wants to revisit the topic.  But, the Momma Bear part of me?  Well, that part wants to teach her a few of my karate moves.  I feel confident that’s the discipleship route her daddy would take.

I’m just sayin’.

Have a great weekend, y’all!

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September 27, 2011 · 7:59 pm

Unraveling.

There are seasons in our lives when it seems the world is caving in around us.  There are days where anything that can go wrong, does.  There are moments we are sure that one more blow is going to take us completely out.

So, we begin unraveling.

Piece by piece.  Thread by thread. 

Until, we hit our knees.  And, the tears begin to flow.

I have those moments, too.  Just like you.

And, then the thought of throwing my hands in the air and surrendering it all to God just seems too easy.  Sometimes, it’s my pride that gets in the way.  Because, if I surrender my feelings, my day, my season to Him, then, I have nothing left to hold onto that says, “I am stressed.”

“I can’t do this anymore.”

“I have had all I can take.”

Whoever said God will not give you more than you can handle was wrong.  Way wrong.

He will. 

Because, He wants you to need Him.  He wants you to depend on His strength.  That’s why Paul says he was thankful when he was weakest, because, that’s when God was strongest. 

Tonight, I began unraveling.  So, I let go of my pride.  I let go of my stubbornness to hold onto something that really doesn’t belong to me. 

I threw my hands up in the air.  And, I told Him, “God, this day is Yours.  This season is Yours.  I can’t do this without you. ” 

And, He took it from me.

Perhaps, you are unraveling, too.

Surrender.  Let Him into your mess.  Call out to Him.  And, know that His power works best in your weakness. 

He will not fail you.

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  2 Corinthians 12:9

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