Category Archives: God Stuff

December 8, 2009 · 6:00 am

Good Thing I Didn’t Attempt the Backbend at Gymnastics.

Me:  I am so tired, and I haven’t even written my post yet.

Kris:  Well, you better get busy.

Me:  I just don’t know where to begin right this minute.  I should’ve spent more time with Jesus today.

And, that’s the honest conversation that occurred right before my fingers got to tappin’ on this here keyboard. 

Truth is, I haven’t read the first scripture today.  The only prayers I’ve prayed are the ones I pray every day over my children.  But, to say, I “should’ve spent more time with Jesus today” is probably an unfair statement. 

Because, He is always right here.  Beside me.  Probably wanting to snatch that Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake right out of my hands.  He doesn’t, because even He knows you don’t take food from a woman. 

I did listen to some praise and worship music while I peeled potatoes this afternoon.  You read that right.  I COOKED DINNER.  And, I did think about His goodness while using that incredible invention called the peeler.  Is that what it’s called? 

So, my previous unfair statement I made to my husband reminded me of the little book I read this summer called, “The Practice of the Presence of God.”  It’s the acknowledging of Christ in the everyday routine.  In the peeling of the potatoes.  In the Parents’ Day at Anna’s gymnastics class where she insisted I jump into the foam pit, too.

I did.

I acknowledged the Lord Jesus Christ when I finally made it out of that thing knowing I could not have gotten out of there without Him. 

But, I still love those intentional moments where I open His book of treasures – or my nifty YouVersion application on my iPhone.  Moments where I pray, “Lord, reveal something new about YOU to me today.”

Then, there are moments where I don’t even have to pray that prayer.  He just reveals Himself without me even asking Him to.

Because, we are in a relationship.  And, He NEVER leaves my side.

He doesn’t leave yours either, ya know?

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December 7, 2009 · 6:00 am

Deeper Still.

What do you get when you have Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, and Priscilla Shirer all in one room together?  Well, certainly not a lack of knowledge of the Bible. 

Lord. Have. Mercy.

I enjoyed a great weekend with a few my BS’ers, er, Bible Study gals, at the Deeper Still conference in OKC.  We had intended on eating a nice dinner in Bricktown prior to the event on Friday, but by the time we parked, time was a tickin’.  Call me spoiled, but concession nachos and cheese are not my idea of a satisfying meal.  A Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake maybe.  But, not nachos.  When we were crossing the street downtown, my friend, Deleise, said, “I smell steak, and it makes me sad.”  I suddenly had a strange feeling come over me that we must be sisters. 

Deleise and I have a lot in common.  She is a reallllly good cook, and I reallllly love good food.   

Anyhoo, back to Deeper Still. 

Kay Arthur taught the book of Hebrews Friday night.  The WHOLE book of Hebrews.  So, if y’all have any questions on Hebrews, feel free to call me.  I’ll tell you to call Kay Arthur. 

I was most excited to hear Beth Moore until Mrs. Priscilla took the stage.  I triple heart her.  She said a whole lotta goodness, but I especially loved this statement:

“Whether God chooses to do something is a question of His sovereignty, not His ability.”

I always think of Job when I think of the sovereignty of God.  You know, the whole “where were you” speech.  But key in it all is to never stop praying.

Let’s say that again.

Never stop praying.

Don’t grow weary in praying for that thing you keep praying for.  Even when it seems God is not answering.  Or even hearing ya.  Heavens, how long did Elijah pray for rain?  I can’t remember for sure, you’ll have to ask my daddy or Kay Arthur, but I know it was a long time.

Just remember, He can do anything.

And, what concerns you concerns Him.  You can put God in a box.  But your box will not limit Him.  It will just limit your awareness of Him.

He’s bigger than your problem.

And, He is able.

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December 3, 2009 · 6:00 am

‘Tis the Season.

I experience different seasons of life just like you.  Some are easier than others.  Some do not end quickly enough.  Then there are seasons where I hardly stop to notice the season.  Know what I mean? 

I’m noticing this one.  But, not the things one would expect for me to notice. 

It’s not hard.  It’s not easy.  Financially?  I’ve seen more.  I’ve seen less.  I don’t notice a real difference in myself as a mother (unless I look at my protruding abdomen.)    I’m sure my children have grown a tenth of an inch this past month.  I can’t really tell until their jeans hit above their ankles.  Kris still makes me laugh out loud just like he does in every other season. 

What I am noticing this season is a greater intimacy in my relationship with my heavenly Father.  I know He’s always tender.  He’s always gentle.  But, I’m especially noticing a sweet calm – a peace – that can only come from Him.  I think about Him when I take my kids to school and on my drive back home.  I think about how good He is when I serve my husband.  I think about how a perfect son of God was born in the most humblest of circumstances. 

I think about Him.

All the time.

And, my heart overflows.

I am in love.

Totally.

And.

Completely.

With Jesus.

I love this season.

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December 2, 2009 · 6:00 am

Redemption.

So, I must admit.  I was sad for Redeeming Love to end.  But, it left my heart so very full.  Full because of the splendor of redemption. 

Oh, how beautiful redemption truly is.  And how we fall in love with Christ in the process. 

I was a little late to the party on Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love.  This is nothing unusual for me.  None the less, it’s a retelling of the biblical story of Hosea set in the mid-nineteenth century.  It’s a beautiful narrative and a sweet reminder of God’s unconditional love.

Sure, the Twilight series is great.  It can even leave you lovesick for a fictional character named Edward.  Redeeming Love, however, will leave you yearning for a more intimate relationship with a very loving – and very real King.

Many don’t experience God’s redemption due to a grossly distorted picture of who God is.  They see a wrathful God.  An unforgiving God.  Or, they see themselves unworthy of His redemption. 

Sometimes, this misperception is the church’s fault.  Sometimes, we fail to see others the way Christ does.  We judge.  We condemn.

God doesn’t.

He loves.

He IS love.

A.W. Tozer said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

I tend to agree.

How do you view God?

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November 11, 2009 · 6:00 am

Do You Trust Your Heart?

Anna has been talking a lot about God lately.  And, asking a whole mess of questions.  Kris somehow diverted her attention the other day by teaching her the names of the bones in our legs and arms. 

“Okay.  I don’t want to talk about bones anymore,” she told him.

Kris’ interruption of a bone discussion has nothing to do with this post or the fact that Anna has been talking Jesus.  I just found it kind of funny.

I’ve noticed Anna saying repetitively, “God trusts our heart.”

I haven’t the, well, heart, to tell her that’s not really the case. 

The old adage, “follow your heart” isn’t really good advice.  If I’m honest.

Our heart can make us do CRAZY things.  We can follow our hearts right into adultery.  Right into questionable situations.  Right into a MESS.  Can I get an amen?

Cindy Beall wrote a great post on this very topic.  She referenced this Proverbs 4:23 scripture:

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Not only should we guard our heart, we need to LEAD our heart.  My heart can tell me that I have inappropriate feelings for another man.  Do I follow that?  Or do I lead my heart based on what God says about those feelings? 

So, I try to first guard my heart against things that aren’t of God.  Then, I lead it accordingly.

I’m not exactly explaining this to Anna just yet.  For now, I’ll just nod and say, “Uh huh.”  But, I’ll certainly teach her this principle before she enters her teen years and some dingleberry guy attempts to capture her attention.

Then, I’ll remind her, “Lead your heart, Miss Takle.” 

And, it’s highly doubtful that her daddy will change the subject to bones then.

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November 5, 2009 · 6:00 am

No Matter.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.  Ephesians 3:20 (The Message)

I love this scripture.  I especially love The Message translation. 

Yet still I sometimes overlook it.

Then, I discover it again.  And, I pray that this time, it will remain written on my heart.

Because, it is foundational to my faith.

To my life.

It is hope.

It is truth.

And, we need not forget.

That no matter what place we are in.

No matter how fiercely our battles wage.

No matter what the report reads.

No matter how high the mountain is.

No matter how long the walk through the valley takes.

No matter.

God can do anything, you know.

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November 4, 2009 · 6:00 am

And, We Also Know Noah Built An Ark.

Nan - Anna Grand Day

Anna (to Nan):  So, there was this man who did not like Jesus.  He put people in jail if they talked about Jesus.  Then, a bright light made him not see.  Then, he loved Jesus. 

Nan:  Are you talking about the Apostle Paul?

Anna:  You KNOW that story?

It’s kind of like that song re-make that your kids are surprised you know.  ‘Cause, it’s like a re-make. 

But, I do love hearing stories from the Bible told by my children.  So, one day, they will not only know that story, it will be written on their hearts.

To always be reminded of His faithfulness.

His provision.

His sovereignty.

His presence.

Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.  Joel 1:3

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November 3, 2009 · 6:00 am

She Gave All She Had.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t always work in us the way we think He might.  When I decided to surrender this pride thing, I was surprised how God chose to deal with it.  One very large way He has operated, if you will, is by breaking my heart for others in need.  Giving in the past has always been easy.  Even a no-brainer.  It was easy to write a check and make things better for someone in need.  And, it wasn’t that I was without compassion.  I just didn’t truly have an understanding of what it means to be broken for people less fortunate. 

I was reminded of the story where Jesus is teaching at the temple in Jerusalem where He witnessed the rich men’s donations.  But, it was one widow who gave two mites that caught His attention.

The others gave out of their abundance.  This widow gave everything she had.

And, not just financially.  She surrendered her whole self and everything she possessed. 

This especially went to straight to the heart of Christ.  Because, in a few short days, He would give everything He had on a cross.

I don’t want to just give out of my abundance.  I want to give out of my want.  Out of my hurt.  I want to give no matter what place I’m in.

That’s what Christ modeled for us.

I’m still learning to live a life fully surrendered. 

Are you?

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October 27, 2009 · 6:00 am

Heart Surgery.

Pride.

That’s my ugly issue.

Pride can come in different forms.  But, at the end of the day, it’s all self-centeredness. 

My stuff reveals itself when I stress over finding the perfect outfit to wear for an event.  Or, when I stress over the idea that people expect me to perform at a certain level.  Or, when I want to make sure I give the perfect gift.  Or, when I want more stuff than I already have – which is, I’m certain, more than I need.

It’s all pride. 

And, there is nothing holy about it.

I wish my issue was a bit more noble.  Of course, I suppose any unholy stuff we got goin’ on isn’t exactly noble.

But still.

This is my stuff.

And, I’ve let God open up my heart and operate.

Because, more than anything else on this earth, I want to be more like Him. 

I want to live beyond myself.

Beyond my pride.

Beyond me.

Less of me.  More of Him.

Is there anything more important than that?

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October 26, 2009 · 6:00 am

Refining.

I had been frustrated with God for few days.  He wasn’t answering my prayers.  He didn’t appear to be moving on my behalf.  And, I reminded Him a time or three of my faithfulness – my investments into the Kingdom and into others.  ‘Cause, clearly, it’s all about me. 

I.Got. Nothin’.   

I probably should’ve gotten a “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth” speech.  I deserved it.

Hello, God.  Are you there?  Is this thing on?  Testing one, two, three. 

I did all of those things I know to do.  I even read and re-read “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)  I just added my own “Hmph” to the end of it.

Then, a light came on.  I was sitting at my kitchen table watching John Henry complete a few make-up assignments, and I repeated my “Hmph.”  And, the silence ended. 

He spoke. 

So, I asked….

“What are You wanting to teach me through this?”

Kind of changed my perspective a wee bit. 

Sometimes, we go through difficult situations brought on by ourselves, others, or just life circumstances.  This, we know.  What we, or I, seem to forget is that God can and will use these times to refine us.

You see, friends, we may be created in His image, but we aren’t Him.  And, He wants us to be more like Him.  So, He’ll refine us. 

Because, He love us.

And, that’s a good thing.

As the days passed, God began to make me painfully aware of some areas in my life that weren’t completely surrendered to Him – one particular area that didn’t resemble Christ in any way. 

So, I let Him begin doing some heart surgery on me.

Refining, if you will.

Tomorrow, I’ll share what that one thing is.

Do you feel God refining an area in your life?

For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.  Psalm 66:10

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