Wherever You Are

"Wherever God has placed you, he can use you to speak his truth-words of love, justice and faith to a lost world-even if it means being misunderstood or ridiculed.  Yes, it may be difficult and you may be weary; but, sister, "never tire of doing what is right" (2 Thessalonians 3:13)  Devotions to Go Vol. 3

This is a great reminder to us all, that no matter where we are or what we say or do, we can always be a witness for God!  EVERY LITTLE THING THAT WE SAY OR DO reflects who we are and what we stand for!

My Top Five of Thanks

It is that time of year again, the time of year when everywhere you look you see signs that the holidays are quickly approaching!  Well, here we are the day before Thanksgiving and I have a ton of things to be thankful for, but I thought I would narrow it down to my top 5!  I feel that Thanksgiving gets overshadowed by Christmas, so I always like to stop and reflect on the year and everything that God has blessed me with.  So, here you go, my Top Five Things I am Thankful for:

5.  I am thankful for the roof over my head and the food in my refrigerator.  Sometimes, I take for granted that I live in a solid structure, with a roof over my head and all the groceries that are in my pantry and fridge.  There are so many with out and I am blessed to have what I have.

4. My family and extended family.  I have a huge family!  Sometimes, it can be a little over whelming and LOUD, but we are all a close knit family and I love it.  We recently got another new addition to our family in our foster to adopt journey and my family did not hesitate to come and help out or send things that would help us out.  Truly blessed!!

3.  I am thankful for this foster to adopt journey that God has placed us in.  It has helped me grow stronger in my faith and trust in Him!  It is unbelievable how He has answered our prayers and is allowing us to help raise these 2 precious children that He created!  We are absorbing and loving every minute of it.

2.  I am thankful for my husband!  He is my biggest supporter and my partner in this crazy journey, called LIFE!  He gives up so much for me and the family.  Lately, it has been sleep, so I can make it through the day with 3 kids, even though he has to go to work as well.

1.  The number one thing that I am thankful for is MY GOD!!  Without Him I could not be thankful for anything and I would not be able to do anything.  He is my rock and I love Him with all my heart!  I am so THANKFUL that He did not turn His back on us and died for ALL of our sins so that we could be FREE.  He is a forgiving God and for that I am truly thankful!!

So, there you have it, MY top five things to be thankful for.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and know that God truly loves each and everyone of us.  You do not have to wait until Thanksgiving to reflect on the things you are thankful for, everyday you wake up you have something to be thankful for.

Psalm 107:1"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." (NIV)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Love in Christ,

Alicia

"Airing the Secrets"

"For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."  Hebrews 4:12-13

""If there are rats in a cellar you are most likely to see them if you go in very suddenly," wrote C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity. "But the suddenness does not create the rats: it only prevents them from hiding."

The rats within us cannot hide from God's sight.  What's more, we must give full account for what God's eyes see.  As ominous as that sounds, baring secrets to each other in marriage is really good news.  Rooting out our souls' vermin encourages healthier people and healthier marriages.

But what can you do if even you don't see the secrets of your heart?  Hebrews 4 tells us three things that we can do to expose our rats.  When we read the Bible and look carefully at ourselves in its mirror(see James 1:23-25), we begin to see ourselves as we really are.  God's ancient words speak frankly about our personal secrets.  So as we regularly read Scripture, we see our hearts in its mirror."

Devotional came from "Devotions to Go" Vol. 3 edited by Sharon Cole

All of have "rats"! The excert above talks about in a marriage, but this devotion can pertain to anybody and any relationship.  Friendships, co-workers, siblings, parent-child relationship, etc.  Having secrets from someone that you truly care about can really damage the relationship.  It can eat away at you if you hold it inside.  I am not saying to share just any and everything to just anybody, but if you truly care about the person or the relationship you should "get the rats" out! 

I hope everyone is having a blessed week and maybe this week you are able to let something go that you have been keeping locked up inside.  God wants us to let go and let Him, but we must first get rid of the baggage and give it to God and let Him take care of it.

Love In Christ,

Alicia

A Little Something

I am going to post one of the devotionals that I read yesterday during my quiet time.  I thought is what a good reminder for everyone.  God knew I needed to read it!  The title of the excert is called:  "All Things to all People"
"Juggling a hectic life is not new or unique to women in our culture.  However, our culture glorifies the multi-tasking woman.  Many times we over-schedule our lives because we can't say no.  Sometimes we don't want to miss out, so we try to do everything.  Moses could relate.  He led Israel as a prophet, guide, intercessor, teacher, lawyer and judge.  In short, he was trying to be all things to the Israelites.  But it was too much for him to handle by himself.
Many women struggle with the "need" to please everyone.  But we simply can't be everywhere at once.  We can't do everything everyone would like us to do.  We can't even do everythiing we would like to do.  Trying to be all things to all people puts us on the fast track to burnout.  But when we delegate, we are freed up to focus on the things God has given us to do.  Delegating also creates the opportunity for another capable person to grow into a new role.  Failing to share the load may impede another person's God-given potential.  Sometimes the best thing we can do, for others and ourselves, is to step aside so someone else can step up."

The bible passage that goes with this devotional can be found in Exodus 18:13-18

Devotions to Go Vol.3 edited by Sharon Cole

I love this devotional and it is so true!  Trying to do everything myself is a huge thing that I struggle with everyday.  I am trying my best to delegate where need be and to step back and let others help out!

I hope God uses this little excert to speak to you, like He used it to speak to me.

Love in Christ,
Alicia

Waiting

We live in a fast pace world. Everywhere we turn we have some reminder that waiting is " for the birds". We have fast food, high speed Internet, microwaveable meals and even the speed limit has increased. We do not like to wait! I especially have a hard time waiting. I have always been inpatient. It's not my best trait to admit, but it is true. Right now we are waiting for our first foster-child placement and it is rough. We have been licensed for about a week now and everyday I pray that my phone will ring and tell us we have a placement for you. We have been preparing for this since May.

I realized over the last week that God waits on me all the time. God is always right there patiently waiting for me to obey Him, talk to Him, to listen and yet I choose to make Him continue to wait. God never pushes us to answer Him. He merely gives us soft reminders that He is still waiting. He is so patient and kind. He never leaves us or forsakes us. He is the one that is constant in our busy lives. I feel like God is in away strengthening my faith with Him. He is in control of my life and the little one that we are supposed to take care of. On the same day that we were licensed, we also received a phone call that evening saying that we were getting our first placement, but 5 minutes later the placement was cancelled. I know God was giving me reassurance that it will happen, but not on my time, but on HIS!

So, this is my little lesson in faith and waiting. It is extremely hard, don't get me wrong, but I also have faith in God that He knows what is best for me and my family. Right now I will continue to pray for guidance and trust in Him.

Psalm 27:14 says "Wait for The Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for The Lord." ESV

Love in Christ,

Alicia


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When Music Talks!

God has many ways of talking to us.  He can place a certain person or task on our heart. He can bring certain situations into our lives.  He can use people; people we may know or people we don't know to get his teaching or message to us.  What about music?  Have you ever thought about God using music to speak to you!!

God uses the sources around you the most to talk to you sometimes.  In my case, its music!  I have had several different songs come on the radio at several different points in my life over the past year.  I spend a lot of time in my car, A LOT!  My son goes to several therapies and activities a week, so about 75% of the time I am driving.  I listen to a Christian radio station.  It is my time of worship.  Recently it has become my confirmation and reassurance from God.  It amazes me how He can use something like music to talk to me.  I will give you some examples of what I am talking about:

"Carry Me to the Cross" by Kutless came on the radio around the time my son was diagnosed with PDD(social disorder).  The song talks about when your path seems hopeless and exhausting, do not worry, because you are not alone.  God is with you and will carry you.  This song did not just come across the radio once,  but several times over the course of 3 months.  I heard it at least twice a day if not more.  I know this was not a coincidence, it was God's way of telling me, "I know this is a rough time, but I got you."

Another example is "Safe" by Phil Wickham.  This is another reassurance song God sent to me to let me know He will take care of me and will not leave me.  These two songs danced back and forth across the air waves for a long time.  God was speaking to me through these songs during a very trying time.  My sister was asking for some encouraging words or scriptures why she was going through a rough patch a month ago and I just happen to be in my car when I got the text.  After reading the text, "Safe" came on the radio and I knew immediately that God wanted me to share that song with her, so I did.

The latest song that God has used to talk to me is called, "Jesus, friend of Sinners" by Casting Crowns.  This song is on all the time.  We started our adoption journey back in May.  We were wanting to adopt an infant.  God shut the door on private adoption and opened the door to adoption through the state.  We really wanted to adopt an infant, but during our training classes in July, we were told that in order to eventually adopt an infant we would have to foster to adopt.  I really didn't want to go that route because I didn't think my emotions could handle it.  After much praying and talking with my husband, God changed my heart.  "Jesus, friend of sinners" came on the radio and for the past month and a half I hear it at least 2-3 times a day.  Basically, the song talks about instead of talking the talk, you really should be walking the walk.  God befriended so many people and loves everyone!  We should do the same.  God uses this song to speak volumes to me.  It touches my heart every time I hear it.  God is reminding me that foster to adopt is what we need to be doing.  This is the way that we will be able to reach out to these kids and through these kids hopefully reach others in the process.

I have heard all these songs before God used them to speak to me.  God opened my heart and ears so I could be attentive and receive the message that he had for me in the songs.  God will speak to you in many ways and He will find that one way to get your attention.

You can find all these songs on the Internet.  You can google them and listen to them through you tube or other means.  They are also available on Itunes to download. 

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ" Romans 10:17

Love in Christ,
Alicia

Random Acts of Kindness

I am sure I have posted on this topic before, but it never hurts to be reminded, right?  I cut coupons every week before I do my grocery shopping on Saturday.  I usually have a lot of extra coupons that are about to expire or I have duplicates of.  I take all the coupons with me when I go to the store(I have a coupon binder, I know sad).  If I know I have a coupon for something and I find a better deal without the coupon, I will simply place the coupon on the item that the coupon is for.  I leave it for the next person to find.  If I find some that are about to expire that I know I want use before it expires, I will leave those as well on the item. Makes me smile.  Who knows what the other person that finds that coupon might be going through and that coupon being there might just make their day.  It's the little things that make me happy and I know that is the same for other people as well.  See you can do random acts of kindness anywhere.  I deemed myself the "coupon fairy", lol.  This past Saturday I think I left about 10 coupons all over HEB!  Hopefully it helped someone out.  I didn't know them or their situatuion, but the kindness that I showed by just the act of leaving a coupon behind might just have made them smile. 

There is someone always watching us, even if you think no one is.  This is just one way that I can kindly do something for someone else. I am not in it for the "thank you" or the regonition; I am simply showing God's love even if it is through a coupon!

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Epehsians 4:32)

Remember: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

Love in Christ,

Alicia

Your Way OR The Right Way?

Guidance defined by Webster's Dictionary:  1. the act or process of guiding

2. a: the direction provided by a guide b : advice on vocational or educational problems given to students

3. the process of controlling the course of a projectile by a built-in mechanism

 

We all have been guided by someone at least once in our lives.  It could have been a friend, a school counselor, a teacher, a parent, aunt, uncle, etc.  When you are born you are not born knowing everything, therefore you have parents or someone to guide you and help you.  In my life right now, I am going through a little spiritual guidance.  I have totally given God the reins and given Him total control.  I have a lot of things on my plate right now and He is in total control of it all.  On August 1, I will become a full time stay at home mom, with a part time job working from home, plus my husband and I are in the process of adopting.  Pretty huge things, right?  These two major things have been orchestrated by God and just when I think I am headed in one direction(my direction), He is right there to take me by the shoulders and stir me in His direction(the right direction).  Let me explain with some examples, when me and my husband decided that I should stay at home with our son, because of his autism and special classes he would have to take, I was extremely nervous about how we were going to make ends meet without my paycheck.  I prayed about it and tried to give it up to the Lord, but I still wanted to hold on to it.  I worried and then decided I was weary and once again let go and gave it to God.  A couple of days later my boss came to me and said she could offer me a part time position doing collections from home.  I was completely taken a back!  I was not prepared for that statement at all.  It was an answer to prayer, and I knew that since I had let God lead instead of me,  He was able to provide a solution.  Next example, my husband and I have been talking about adoption since the end of last year.  We tried several different private adoption agencies and never was able to "get our foot in the door" so to speak.  I felt that was God's way of saying, "No, that is not what I want you to do."  Eventually we were able to start with a state agency and start the process.  From the very beginning we both said that we wanted to straight adopt.  There was no way that we wanted to foster to adopt!  We were very adamant about it!  We decided that we would adopt a child between the age of 0-2.  Perfect!  Over the course of these classes that we have been taking, I can feel the Lord taking me by the shoulders and stirring me away from straight adoption and into foster to adopt.  You wanna no my answer, "Really God? You know that my heart is too big to have a child taken away from me."  Yea, God isn't having any of it!  He is listening to me, of course, but He is still guiding us away from straight adoption.  You see, God always, always knows what is best for us, even when we don't think it is.  He also wants to give us what our hearts desire.  We were told by the agency in one of our classes that if we straight adopt there is no way we would be able to adopt a kid between the ages of 0-2.  The youngest is usually around 4 with straight adoption, but most of them our older.  So, the route to go would be foster to adopt.  I have two choices, I can not listen to God and continuing fighting and doing it MY way OR I can listen to God and let Him guide me and reap the wonderful benefits that He has in store for my family.  God's way is not always the easy road to follow, but in the end it has the best reward possible!  God loves and wants to guide us in our journey of life.  He also puts special people in our paths to help guide us as well.  No matter what decision you are having to face you can always look to the ultimate guidance counselor, God and know that if you choose to listen and have Him guide you, the results will be so much sweeter in the end! 

 

Psalm 32:8 ESV  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (this is one of my favorite verses)

Love In Christ,
Alicia

Blessed to be Different

On the radio this past week, I heard the DJ quoting Aimee Copeland, the girl who has been in the hospital fighting a flesh eating disease. If you don't know who I am talking about, she was on a zip line when it broke and she gashed her leg open and fell into the river below. The quote below came from her, the girl that has lost both her hands, part of her stomach, and other limbs. She is blessed to be different! I have played that one sentence over and over in my head. What a great example of taking something so negative and finding the positive in it. I know that we all have experienced some negative situations in our lives, but how many can honestly say that they turned it into a positive instead of dwelling on the negative. I sure can't say that I have done that with all the negative in my life. It is always easier to wallow in self pity, rather than try to find the good in the situation. I want to challenge you, the next time you find yourself in a negative situation try to find the good in it. We should all feel blessed to be different, no matter who we are or what we have gone through. God created each and everyone of us to be different!



"'I mean that I am blessed to have the opportunity to experience something that not many other people have the chance to experience,'" Copeland wrote, recalling his daughter's words. "'I am blessed to be able to have a challenge that not many others get to have. I am blessed to have the capacity to share my experience with others and have a chance to improve the quality of someone else's life. I'm blessed to be different.'" by: Aimee Copeland

It all began after her ride on a makeshift zip line across the Little Tallapoosa River snapped. A gash in her left calf took 22 staples to close.

The pain continued for three days. When she went to an emergency room, doctors determined she had necrotizing fasciitis caused by the bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila.

Surgeons amputated most of her hands, part of her abdomen, one of her legs and her remaining foot in an effort to stay ahead of the infection. She has also had multiple skin grafts.

Exert taken from Hlntv.com

Proverbs 1:15 says, "My son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your feet from their path,.." NAS

Genesis 1:27 says, "God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." NAS

Love in Christ,

Alicia






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Who Says You Can't Rap for Jesus?

I hear "Lose My Soul" by TobyMac on the radio alot. My 4 year old loves it and tries to rap it as well. I decided to look up the lyrics to see exactly what they are saying, because lets face it there is always a part of a rap song that you don't really get. Anyway, after reading the lyrics, I decided I liked this song even more. It has a really great message. They are talking about their careers as song artists, but you can insert your own life into it and apply it to yourself. My favorite line of the song is in the chorus; "I don't want to gain the whole world and lose my soul." I interpret this line to mean that they would rather have a relationship with Jesus instead of having the things that the world gives them. This is just what I take from it, it could mean something different to you. I just thought I would share the lyrics of the song. If you would like to hear the actual song you can find it on YouTube under "Lose My Soul".


"Lose My Soul"
(feat. Kirk Franklin, Mandisa)

Man I wanna tell you all something, Man.
Man I'm not gonna let these material thing's, get in my way, you all.
I'm trying to get somewhere.
I'm trying to get somewhere,
Thats real and pure and true and eternal.

Father God, I am clay in your hands,
Help me to stay that way through all life's demands,
'Cause they chip and they nag and they pull at me,
And every little thing I make up my mind to be,
Like I'm gonna be a daddy whose in the mix,
And I'm gonna be a husband who stays legit,
And I pray that I'm an artist who rises above,
The road that is wide and filled with self love,
Everything that I see draws me,
Though it's only in You that I can truly see that its a feast for the eyes- a low blow to purpose.
And I'm a little kid at a three ring circus.

I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.

(Mr. Franklin, Step up to the mic sir)

The paparazzi flashes, and that they think that it's you,
But they don't know that who you are is not what you do,
True, we get it twisted when we peak at the charts,
Yo before we part from the start,
Where's your heart?
You a pimp, hustler?
Tell me what's your title,
America has no more stars, now we call them idols,
You sit idle, While we teach prosperity,
The first thing to prosper should be inside of me.
We're free...
Not because of 22's on the range,
But Christ came in range, we said yes now we changed,
Not the same, even though I made a fall,
Since I got that call, no more Saul, now I'm Paul.
(YEP!)

I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
Don't wanna walk away,
Don't wanna walk away

How do I sense the tide that's rising?
De-sensitizing me from living in light of eternity,
How do I sense the tide that's rising?
It's hypnotizing me from living in light of eternity,
How do I sense the tide that's rising?
De-sensitizing me from living in light of eternity.

(Lord what we gonna do,We're relying on you,
all eyes are on you Lord,
all eyes are on you, all eyes are on you Jesus.)

I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
Don't wanna walk away, let me hear the people say.
(Don't let me lose my soul, my soul.)
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
(This is my honesty, Father, won't you cover me.)
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
(Don't wanna walk away, and all those people say)
I don't want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul,
(Don't wanna lose, I don't wanna lose my soul.)

Lord forgive us when we get consumed by the things of this world,
That fight for our love, and our passion,
As our eyes are open wide and on you.
Grant us the privilege of your world view,
And may your kingdom be, what wakes us up, and lays us down.

(Hallelujah, Don't wanna lose our soul,
No, Don't wanna lose my soul.)

Hey excuse me,
I'm looking for the after party,
Toby,
Ha ha, yeah, last door on the left, you'll hear it.
Thanks,
No problem.

Don't let me lose my soul, I never wanna walk away,
I don't wanna lose my soul,
No, no, no.
Don't let me, don't let me, lose my soul,
I don't wanna walk away,
Don't let me walk away,
Na na na na no,
Don't let me lose, my soul,
I'm never gonna walk away.

Love In Christ,
Alicia



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Family Values

I spent time with family over the memorial day weekend.  Every time I am surrounded by family, I am reminded how blessed I am.  If you were to count just my immediate family, you would count 14 including children and spouses.  Yes, that is just my immediate family, so you can imagine how many there are when you add extended family... ALOT!!  The things that I cherish most about my family is how close we are and how much we support one another no matter what it is, good or bad!  Yes, we have are ups and downs and no we do not always get along, but when it comes down to it we have each other's back.  If you were to ask every single person in my family " Do you like spending time with your family?" Every single one of them would answer yes without hesitation.  Seriously!  We love hanging out and being together and we have the most fun!  We have a strong bond and I am forever grateful for it!  All the family values that have been bestowed upon me and my brothers and sisters, have been passed down from generation to generation.  The number one thing that has kept us so close and bonded is GOD!  There is a relationship with God and without that I believe we would not be as close as we are. 

God should be at the top of your family values!  He should be at the head of everything that you do and every decision that you make.  God wants to be involved in your family.  He is always there, waiting for you to say, "OK God, what do you think?"  I know that might sound silly, but it is that simple.  If you never got a chance to have a close relationship with your family, don't worry, you can start over new and have God as the head of your family, just like He wants to be.  If you think about it, God started this whole family when he created Adam and Eve, so He is the leader of us all, but it is our choice to acknowledge Him and listen. 

Family values are so important and when you put God up front as your leader, you can never go wrong.

"I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in Heaven and earth is named (Ephesians 3:14-15)."  You may also want to continue to read verses 16-19

 

God is and always will be part of the family, but it is up to you to acknowledge Him!!

 

Love in Christ,

 

Alicia

Mother's Day Blessings

Proverbs 31:26-31 "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many woman do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive , and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate

I love this verse and it speaks highly of moms. My mom and I have a very special bond. She has taught me so much over the years. She provides encouragement, wisdom, love, and friendship. She is a Godly woman and loves the Lord. I am truly blessed to have her as a mom.


Thank you God for making a mom that was uniquely designed just for me!

Love In Christ,

Alicia

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A Taxi Story

A sweet lesson on patience.

A NYC Taxi driver wrote:

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.'

'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice.

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..'The doctor says I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired.Let's go now'. We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug.She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut.It was the sound of the closing of a life..

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day,I could hardly talk.What if that woman had gotten an angry driver,or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.


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Guest Post: Dr. Gene Wilkes

Running: A Metaphor for Life

This weekend I will run my tenth marathon since 2000. The Grasslands Trail Run will be my first trail marathon but not my first trail run. Trail running is my preferred environment and community for running. Running on dirt in forests, fields, and mountains is how running has always been done. I have run as many 25M and 50K trail runs as I have marathons during this same time period, and I have finished a 50M run, DNF'd one other, and attempted one 100-miler, which ended me at mile 73.


Why the partial running resume? I like to run. I haven't been to a psychologist yet to dig into why my obsession is so deep or why I started running ultras until I was 45. But, more important than why I like to run, running--distance running--has become a metaphor for life for me.

I reminded my listeners this past Sunday as Legacy Church that long-distance running is a metaphor for life because somewhere in a long run you come to the point you want to give up.

It's usually mile 18 to 20 in a marathon. Under normal conditions, you ask yourself, "Why am I out here? What's the point of this pain? No one is chasing me. I'm not getting paid to do this. I want to go home." That's when your training and mental strength come into play. If you are not injured or have not mismanaged your fuel or hydration, finishing is up to you; your faith, your values, who you really are. At the crisis point of pain, you can quit and go home or push through the pain and finish what you set out to finish.


Life is a series of long runs. Marriage, parenting, and calling are all life-long runs that somewhere along the way you want to give up. And many do. Injury or mismanagement of supplies and support can sideline you, which adds another dimension to the run, but finishing the race is the goal of living.

My favorite passage of Scripture that describes this metaphor is Hebrews 12:1-3. Here it is:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (italics and bold, mine)
The writer of this letter had to be a runner; or, at minimum, knew one. He knew the importance of those who encourage you (a cloud of witnesses). He knew lighter is better. (throw off everything) He knew running with perseverance (endurance) was the key to finishing the race (marked out for you). He knew keeping your eyes on another runner in front of you was important to finishing the run. He knew trusting a runner who had completed a more difficult race (Jesus) would inspire you not to quit (lose heart).

The key to running the race of life and the way you will never grow weary or lose heart is to keep your eyes on Jesus during the run. No ultramarathon, even Hard Rock in CO, matches what Jesus did for you on the cross. His endurance run of suffering, shame, and opposition is an example matched by no one; and, he endured it all so we can finish the race of life, be victorious, and rest in eternity with our hero, rescuer, and leader.

I love running, and endurance running is my metaphor for life--and I put my trust in the one who has completed the most difficult and most significant race of all, Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of my trust.

What's your metaphor for life?

I'm a member of North Texas Trail Runners. Check them out on the web and on facebook. Or, come out to the run this weekend and meet some of the runners and volunteers.

Posted by faithrunner at 7:17 AM 2 comments
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Labels: Grasslands Trail Run, Hebrews 12, Legacy Church, marathon, North Texas Trail Runners, trail running, ultrarunning


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Ponder This...

I was driving to work this morning, listening to the radio like I always do when a verse in a song got my mind to reeling. The verse talked about how God loves us so much that He gave His only son to die for our sins. ONLY son!! Think about it, before we existed, you, me, moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents, brothers, sister, etc. God gave up His ONLY son for us! He loves us that much, even before we or our great, great, great grandparents came to be. I have a 4 yr old son that I love more than anything and would do anything for. So, when I think about how much more God loves him than I it is really hard to comprehend. It's ok, because we are not supposed to comprehend or understand God's ways. It is too much for our human brains to take. So, pondering the fact that God loves all of us more than our parents and families could ever do, blows my mind! Plus the fact that He loved us before we even existed is CARAZY!!! So, just a little something to think about this week. God LOVES YOU no matter what!!!!!

John 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only son..."

Love In Christ,

Alicia


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Unexpected Surprises

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9b).

My 4 yr old got a beta fish over the weekend. He loves to watch "Finding Nemo" and gets excited when he gets to watch the fish at Petsmart. We decided we wanted to surprise him, so my husband went out and got everything we needed and we hid the fish in our room. The next morning when my son woke up and saw the little aquarium he squealed with delight, "It's a fish!!". It was so awesome to see the smile on his face. He was totally surprised! I love surprises, but I am so impatient that it drives me crazy to have to wait. The end result is always great, but the waiting to get there is the part that seems torturous. Whether or not you like surprises, life is full of them, and sometimes it's best to sit back and if possible enjoy them.

Sue Buchanan says, "Sometimes you work toward some goal for months on end, and everything goes wrong. But what God has in store is far beyond what we could think or dream. His surprises are the best of all!"

We might seem like the path that God wants us to go down is long, torturous and impossible, but if we stick with Him and obey our "surprise" at the end of the road or task will be far beyond our wildest dreams!!

Love in Christ,

Alicia






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Show Off Your Friendly Side

  Once again this little post is coming from "Everyday Joy Journal" by Janice Hanna.

"Ever met someone who just seems to have the gift of friendship?  She's a joy to be around and is always there when you need her.  Perhaps you're that kind of friend to others.  Friendship is a privilege, and we're blessed to have brothers and sisters in Christ.  But not all friendships are easy.  Today, ask the Lord to show yu how to "show yourself friendly" in every situation.  Oh, the joy of great relationships."

Proverbs 18:24 MSG
" Friends come and friends go,
   but a true friend sticks by you like family"

I am sure we have met or know some one that seems to have the gift of friendship, but the truth is we all have the gift inside of us.  It is just a matter of us choosing to open the gift and use it.  God is willing to help you open that gift and begin to use it.  There truly is nothing greater than TRUE relationships! 

How many friends can you say are TRUE friends? 

Love in Christ,

Alicia

What Attitude Will You Pick Today?

Attitude is everything.  I believe I discussed this many posts ago, but attitude really does determine how we perceive everythng for the day.  Scripture says to serve with gladness.  If we go to school, work, the grocery store, or anywhere else our busy lives take us, but we do it with an attitude of joy, it changes everything.  Serving the Lord should be a delightful thing, not a "have to" feel to it.  It should feel like a privilege!  If we serve Him with gladness no matter where we are, then that is exactly what it should feel like:  a privilege!  So go out there and turn your frown upside down, because today is a new day and you get to make it however you want!  I hope that you choose to make your day a joyful one!

Psalm 100:2 (kjv) says:

"Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing."

I hope everyone has a blessed and joyous day!

Love In Christ,

Alicia

Anxiety...Part II

Here is another excert from the journal I am reading.  I think this section of the journal which happens to be the first section is powerful and is talking directly to me right now, with all that is going on in my life.  Maybe, He is trying to talk directly to you too!

Anxiety...a Joy Killer

Philippians 4:6 (NASB) says:

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

"Be anxious for nothing?  Is that possible?  Aren't my anxieties tied to my emotions?  Andaren't my emotions tied to the things that happen to me?  I can't control what happens to me, so how can I control my reactions?  Deep breath, friend! Instead of knee-jerking when troubles come, slip into the throne room and spend some time giving those problems to the Lord.  With thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to Him."  "Everyday Joy Journal" by Janice Hanna



I needed to read this again, because He is definitely speaking to me.  If He is speaking to you, I hope that you listen and obey.  He is waiting to take all your worries and fears away.  He is bigger than any of us and desires for us to be happy and not have worry on our hearts.  Please stop and talk to Him and give it all up to Him.  I know I am going to do the same thing!

Proverbs 15:15 (MSG) says:

"A miserable heart means a miserable life; a cheerful heart fills the day with song."

Love in Christ,

Alicia

Got Anxiety?

This post is coming from a book called " Everyday Joy Journal" by Janice Hanna.  I love this journal and I thought I would share an excerpt from it.  This post is going to be on Anxiety.  Everyone has anxiety, sometimes to the point that it over takes our thoughts.

Know My Heart

"Have you ever asked the Lord to give you an "anxiety check"?  He longs for you to live in peace, but that won't happen as long as you're driven by worries and fears.  Today, allow Him to search your heart.  Ask Him to dig deep.  Are there cobwebs that need to be swept out?  Things hidden that should be revealed?  Let God wash away your anxieties, replacing them with His exceeding great joy!"

Psalm 139:23 NLT says,
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts."

Let God carry your worries!  He wants you to live a life that depends on Him, so you can trust Him and learn that He will carry you all the way.

Love In Christ,

Alicia

Showering vs. Spritzing

Ever heard of dry shampoo? A friend of mine told me about it and I actually laughed out loud. It just sounded weird. Supposedly it is suppose to create a clean, washed look when you don't have time to actually wash your hair. I found it in the store the other day, so I bought it just to see what the hype is all about. It works ok, for a quick fix, but doesn't compare to when you wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner with water. In our busy life, sometimes it is easier to do a "quick fix" with God. We try to take short cuts with our quiet time or bible studies, by doing a little "spritzing" when we really should be taken the time to shower ourselves with his word and love. I know that I always feel better when I have totally emerged myself in the word and focused on Him. The days that I find myself in a rush and doing a "spritzing"; do not turn out as well. God needs us to give Him our total attention and focus on Him. We need to start showering ourselves with The Word and God, instead of "spritzing" ourselves. I promise your days will be a whole lot better and a whole lot brighter.

16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18


Love In Christ,

Alicia

Just in case you wanted to see what dry
Shampoo looks like. :)


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Guest Post

This guest post comes from Dr. Gene Wilkes, who is a pastor at Legacy Church in Plano, Tx. This is a post from his blog drgdub2.blogspot.com.

Eat This Book

The prophet Ezekiel recorded these words from God: “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth." (Ezekiel. 3:3)

At the end of the Church canon in the Revelation, the voice in heaven called to John, and said, “Take [the little scroll] and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but ‘in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.’ ” (Rev. 10:9)

It Is odd to me that eating the words instructed by God taste sweet to both servants of God but when John had digested his scroll it turned his stomach sour.

The difference?

I'm not sure but it may be that Ezekiel's scroll contained a word of encouragement from God and John was about to measure the people and find them wanting in the things of God.

The word of God is that way sometimes. It always tastes good going down but when you begin to digest it you find yourself with spiritual nausea because the word has begun to eat at the core of your being.

We have begun to read The Gospel of Luke as a church. Join us at www.legacychurch.org for daily readings via email and to join a small group to be there for you when you get a sour stomach.


Posted by faithrunner at 5:33 AM 0 comments
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Build Me UP, Lord!

The past 2 weeks have been pretty rough for my little family.  We have come to find out some new things that is going to be challenging in the months to come.  While, I am not here to talk about me or the issues that we are facing, I know that sometimes a little personal experience shared lets people know that they are not alone if they are facing the same issues or similar issues. 

We are going through some medical and financial trials right now. They seem to be never ending, but in the midst of all of this, I find God using this situation to help build me up.  God wants us to trust Him and He wants to guide us in every decision that we make.  God uses certain situations to help build our character in Him.  To us, as humans, it seems so "why me?" but in God's eyes He sees a chance to build up that person.  I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.  God allows certain things to happen even when we do not know what is going on to make us stronger and draw us closer to Him.  God wants us to lean on Him, but he also knows that as His children, we are to witness to others and sometimes it means allowing us to go through certain "tough times" to be able to relate to others down the road or to be a witness at a moment when we least expect it!  Last night I was out to dinner with some friends, and we were talking about my family's situation and one of the ladies said, "how are you doing this?"  " You come to work with a smile on your face, you are not bitter and you seem like everything is wonderful, when we know it is not!"  I simply explain to her that I have God on my side and I have total faith that He is walking this road with me and that he has this!  Yes, there are times that I have broken down and times that I just want to scream, but knowing that God has my back is the best feeling ever!  In that moment I was able to show her God's light and my faith that I have in Him.  She didn't really say anything after that, I think she might have been shocked by my answer.  God continues to build you up even when you think you are being beat to the ground.  You have to keep your focus on God and you will get stronger and stronger with each trial that comes your way.  Putting your total faith in God is the ultimate build me up!

My prayer right now is that the Lord consume me from the inside out.  That I can rest in His arms and know that He loves me enough to take on the world for me all while building me up! 

Romans 15:1

The Message (MSG)

 ^1-2 Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?"

 

God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left.
Lamentations 3:22  (MSG)

 

Love in Christ,

 

Alicia

Ponder This!

I found this while researching for the previous post and thought I would share it with you all. Trisha Wilkerson wrote this:

Are You Imitating or Idolizing?


As a young woman and a fragile new believer, I longed for examples of godly women to learn from.

There was one wonderful woman that I admired too much. Instead of being encouraged by her maturity in Christ, I made being like her the goal for my growth. For me, imitation became idolatry.

Imitation keeps Jesus as the goal. Idolatry makes being like that person the goal. Being like this woman became more motivating than being like Jesus. Now, as an adult, I’m not immune from this temptation. From Martha Stewart to the Proverbs 31 woman, my heart is easily persuaded to idolize. Idolatry of a particular woman brings condemnation; instead of feeling inspired, it feels like I can never measure up. For some, it's an imaginary woman we long to be and this fictitious perfection is the unattainable goal.

When it comes to being a Christian woman, there's often a desire to become or look like what we think a Christian woman is. We read women’s role books, attend women’s groups, watch shows aimed at women, and compare ourselves all along the way. If there were a Christian Barbie, we would own her.

What Is Idolatry?
Our words, affections, thoughts, and deeds reflect what we worship. When we survey our lives, we often find replacements for God. We idolize people when when we put their opinion, love, and acceptance in place of God’s or when we move past respect and strive to look like, be like, or act like them.

“
Imitation keeps Jesus as the goal. Idolatry makes being like that person the goal.
”
We see this sometimes with women’s events and groups that often communicate the "formulas" on how to be a Christian woman while the subtle pressure sets in to be the five things she embodies. On the stage of our hearts is the Christian Barbie with her perfect worship, home, family, and heart. Before we realize it, we’ve built an altar to her. Is it wrong to give Godly examples of how women worship Jesus? No. But we must hear God reminding us not to idealize and idolize, and instead imitate godly women as they imitate Jesus. We must not buy the Christian Barbie.

What Is Imitation?
More than just copying, the purpose of imitation is to draw us closer to Jesus. Imitating someone is seeing their life lived in humble worship, and we respond with similar obedience enabled by the Holy Spirit. We can learn from, be sharpened by, and enjoy their Christ-exalting example.

Scripture gives us good examples of people who feared God and walked in faith. We are told to be encouraged by their lives and to fight for a faith in Jesus like their own. "We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised" (Hebrews 6:11-12).

“
We must hear God reminding us not to idealize and idolize, and instead imitate godly women as they imitate Jesus.
”
Imitation feels like a fresh breeze of grace as we are encouraged to live lives that glorify God. "Join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us" (Philippians 3:17).

We Are Called To Be Imitators of God
"Therefore, be imitators of God as beloved children" (Ephesians 5:1). Our lives lived in response to God’s love is worship. We adore, praise, and imitate Jesus who is the author and perfecter of our faith. As we grow closer to Jesus, we become more like him.

To close, I want to leave you with this quote from Charles Spurgeon,

To love is to adore! To obey is to praise! To act is to worship! If you are imitators of God as dear children, your adoration will be proved to be sincere. Worship unattended by imitation is fake—true adoration dwells not in words only—as it comes from the heart, so it affects the entire nature and shows itself in the daily behavior.




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Making Idols Out of Men

Ex 20:3-4 (NIV) "You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below."

Tim Tebow has become a household name over the past few weeks. If you do not know who he is, I will tell you, he is a football player for the Denver Broncos. He is leading his team in the playoffs, but he is most known for his expression of faith during the games. Twitter and the Internet are blowing up with his picture pose(him kneeling down and praying in the end zone). The fans can not get enough of Tim Tebow. I think his showing of faith is great. I think he is being a witness to all by showing his love and faith for the Lord, but I think some of the fans are taking it too far. So, this leads me to the question, how far is to far? I am all for role models, Rather it be a football player or a teacher. I think it is great to have someone to look up to. When you start idolizing someone or something, that is when God gets upset. God wants your undivided attention, he does not want anyone or anything to over shadow Him. When you consume something or someone to where you put them on a "pedestal", that is idolizing. You are so infatuated by it or them that you can't go with out it and you see them as someone that can do anything. That is when the role model becomes an idol. Tim Tebow is doing what he is passionate about, his faith and football. He is not out there to be admired or idolized, but in the darkness of the world he is becoming an idol. God does not want us to idolize anyone or anything. He is the one that is almighty and powerful and allows us to have talents and skills. God is the one that we need to look up to and run to in a time of need. It is one thing to have a role model but it's another to turn that role model into an idol! Like I said before, I think role models are a great thing and in this case, I think Tim Tebow is a great Christian to look up to.

Love In Christ,

Alicia




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