Mmm...Mmmm...Good! May is over!

Hello Dear Friend, June! I welcome your days!

When I was young, I CANNOT count the number of times I would introduce myself, "Hi, I am April!" only to hear, "Really? Where are May and June?" HA HA, big laughs...not after the 5,000th time!

Well, to all those that have shared that famous line, let me just tell you that this APRIL is glad that MAY is gone and JUNE is here! Amen?!

Whew...I don't know about you, but May was a whirlwind! I know, I know, some thought I was cyberfasting, others thought that I was protesting social media as some grand political or moral statement, then I was even asked, "Have you disappeared?!" Ummm, not according to my calendar! :) The truth is, I just got overwhelmed and busy.

Right now, I am sitting in our NEW deck furniture listening to crickets with rope lighting illuminating the laptop. Mmmm...Mmmm...Good! Not only am I welcoming a new month, but a fresh season. Fresh veggies! Fresh fruits! Fresh air! And a fresh page on the calendar! Welcome June!

Would you like to see where May went?

May was filled-in with Mother's Day, preschool activities, T-ball,

a speaking opportunity at a Mother/Daughter Tea,

the end of our first girls' Bible Study (with a great teaching team by the way),

Birthday Traditions,Preschool program (see red-headed clown) and graduation (see red-headed sweetheart), 2 shots at Jeremiah's 5 year check-up,



our 13th anniversary (...thus the new deck furniture)

and the most demanding time of the year for my Hubcap's job...just to name a few things on the Family Calendar. Look or sound familiar?

There was just so much going on, I had to focus on what was important and immediate. At the start of the month with several doctor appts. and tests, I even took a break from blogging, Facebook, and things that I could, when I was having some tingling and numbness in my face. Praise the Lord, I got a clean bill of health and have been feeling fine with no more symptoms. All is well, but later this summer I will follow-up with the neurologist to see if any more migrane symptoms have continued.

So, what is so fresh about June, you ask?

I wrote this verse on Jeremiah's preschool graduation inviations to go along with a poem that was printed, ..."Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom" (Ps. 90:12). So with that in mind, I want to have more of a quality summer, than a quantity one. Are you in?!

I counted there are 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Did you know that? So, with school starting well before that, I want to be intentional about these days that I have with my family (specifically with Jeremiah before Kindergarten).

In the coming days, I hope to share about teaching Jeremiah to read (we have been working on Mmmmm...Mmmmm, as you might have guessed), our Friday Faith-Based Field Trips, family visits, and reflecting on the Liberty Home Bible Insitute Pogram as I take my last two exams. We focus so much on timing and planning, and God's Word does tell us to be mindful of our days, but so that they mmmm...mmmm...may bring us wisdom, not weariness.

So, join us for a FUN summer!

Hi Stranger!!

Just about everyone knows what the Lord showed me at Barnes & Noble on Sunday. I sat in a chair that was the color of hot cocoa with melted marshmallows, and I felt like one when I sat down in it. I so needed the time to myself!!

Grabbed a Venti African Autumn Tea (a must try for any rookie) and my Bible, and started finally relax. I looked up few verses about grace. A recent sermon and Word search through several portions of scripture spoke volumes and volumes to me in moments (hope to share all that later).

But, have you ever been by yourself in a public place and looked around and thought, "Do people see what is happening to me over here?!" I felt as if it the Truth that I was being showered with was physically visible because it was so good!!

Sadly, one thing that I haven't shared with everyone is that there was this girl sitting right next to me in the other hot chocolate chair. A couple of times I felt like maybe I should spark up a conversation with her or see what she was reading. The truth is, I didn't.

Here I was engrossed with so much Truth, I could hardly contain it, and wrestling with how difficult it is to share it with strangers, friends, and even harder with family. Do you ever feel that way?! I confess, I have prayed for that "girl with the GMAT study guide" for 3 days now, but I regret not speaking to her.

Could you just spark up a conversation and say to a stranger, "Hi. Do you know Jesus?" Not, "Hi, how are ya? or "Hey what'cha reading?" But, "Do you know Jesus?!"

Below is a video of a man on Queen Street in Sydney, Australian who made a commitment to talk to strangers. A dear friend shared it with me today and I have watched twice (Thanks, Theresa)! Watch here and think of him the next time you are in the bookstore, I will.
Or better yet, maybe you want to answer his question...

Riding the Light Rails of Summer

Where have I been all week? Watching God work. I am totally distracted by Him and it is a wonderful feeling. It is like walking on a soft lawn just after it has been mowed...with no shoes! Or like toes being covered in sand as the waves caress them. Or finding a cool puddle of water after a quick thunder storm barefoot!

Amidst that feeling internally...externally Miss To-Do List says, "You have three writing assignments in your heart that have not yet made it to paper. Better hurry." Then, "That manuscript needs to be finished and sent for editing to pursue that speaking opportunity. You told her your goal was 3 days ago!" And not to mention, "Get Monday's Bible Study done, hope it ROCKS!"

And, I want to share how I have been seeing Him work with that! It has been my distinct pleasure to lead a teen Bible Study on Monday nights this summer looking at Lies Young Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Dannah Gresh.

Let me just brag on "my girls" a little...
- They are beautiful. No doubt!
- They are reading the assignments each week. Praise the Lord!
- They are believing Truth. Hallelujah!

The best thing I love about them is that they are authentic. They are eager to know God. I mean, they are giving up every Monday night this summer! They want to pursue Him with their questions and thoughts in journals. Even though they don't always readily share them [Smile & a Wink]. They are spending time with Him while reading His Word. There was even chocolate last week for the first time!

I don't know about your "Wonder Years" but my adolescence had a fair share of complications: braces (plus the headgear), divorced parents, school transfers, a cast & crutches, fashion fumbles (where did all the neon and big hair go?), and I lost count of the crushes. I could go on and on. My point is that these girls might be traveling down similar tracks, but they are focusing on the Light! Years later, are we?! Too many times, we think we know where we are headed, or at least where we want to go, but do we? Jagged situations, beams of obstacles, and rails of limitations join us along the way. However, I see "my girls" steaming full speed ahead as summer sun slips into the fall of school with new direction on a light rail...huge capacity to quickly avert lies for the frequent destination of Truth. My heart is overjoyed to be traveling with them. Really! Honestly! Truly!

When you can travel along that kind of path in middle school, high school, or life's school and can STILL be barefoot (vulnerable and honest) with God and friends, it is a journey of challenge, change, and choice. The Truth is, even if we don't know exactly where we are headed, seeking His Light on our face and in our lives needs one direction...toward Him, no stops!

With just four more chapters to go, we press on to look at Chapter 11 Monday entitled, Lies about Media. Katie Couric, Ann Curry, and Oprah, too, I got news for you! God has a TRUE LIFE story for each one of these girls! Their story is His story and He is in the process of writing it. Filled with LOVE, HOPE, GRACE, JOY, and most of all TRUTH, one day they will share it long after their journal has been stored. Some of us will join them making headlines, being on billboards, or airing through the newest technology...but as they know, the real truth is, God wants to see ALL of our names in LIGHT!

Let's run, jump, and kick up our heels the Son has not set, He is alive! I am excited! They are excited! HE is excited! Rejoice, and again I say, REJOICE!

"But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light,

so that it may be seen plainly

that what he has done

has been done through God." John 3:21

*A special thank you to my new girlfriend, a rising sophomore from Bible Study, who not only shared her true life summer photos with me above, but inspired me to write one of the three stories on my heart. Girl! I hope you see your beauty in this as well as in God's Word. Hugs!

His Season

Virginia welcomed me home on Sunday after an almost 11 hour drive to my amazing husband, our bright and beautiful red head, and a huge banner, "Welcome Home!" I not only felt welcomed, but loved. Thanks fellas!

The trip to Michigan, only two days into Summer, made me realize my season is currently Spring. God's Word reminds us that we should not be conformed to this world, right? Well, I don't even think I am of even of the current season. HA!

Things are just spouting up everywhere. Is that a "good thing?" I am just trying to maintain. Been there? Done that? And this is no shocker - the Enemy is trying to choke out Life in my season by multiplying weeds of frustration, distraction, and guilt. But, I long for time to come and sit (a.k.a. BE STILL), be barefoot (extremely and painfully truthful), and focus (pray) over the seeds that have been planted:

~ God is the Master Gardner and WILL show me how to have a green thumb! I need to ask.
~ My husband wants to cultivate right beside me. I am grateful.
~ My son needs my attention. He only grows once.

The rest of the "things," I am figuring out.

So, the world says this about Spring: "April showers bring May flowers!" How may times have I heard "that" one when I have introduced myself?! But, I believe that God is saying, "Seek me first and ALL these "things" shall be added unto YOU" in this season. Don't just try to "figure" them out.

Welcome Home? "Yes!"
Welcome Spring, Seeds, Spouting? "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

Welcome Seeking? "Always, my beloved."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For futher planting:

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

"Why did the Goose Cross the Road?"

Driving to Day #2 of our Speak Up with Confidence seminar was no child's play.

Most know the game where children sit in a circle and one child goes around saying, "Duck, Duck, Duck" as the other children await the honor of being chosen. Then, that one "special" youngster is selected by the all significant laying a hand to the head and yelling, "GOOSE!"

And that is just what I heard in my head as I slammed on the breaks, "GOOSE!" I couldn't help it. There was heavy morning traffic, the median to my left, and cars to my right. I had no where to go! I hit and killed a beautiful, huge, full grown Canadian goose. I slowed down almost to a crawl and had to keep on going straight, there was no where to turn, but as I looked in the rear view mirror, there where black, white, and grey down feathers fluttering all around the back of my car and onto the hood of the car behind me. Two other young geese anxiously turned around and trotted back in another direction.

"Oh no! Do you think I killed it?" I asked in shock and sadness.
"Yes, I heard a 'squish,' my conference sister answered in a whisper.
"THAT IS NOT WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO SAY TO SOMEONE WHO HAS JUST KILLED A GOOSE!" I yelled.

Are you one of the two geese that turn and go and find the way when life leaves no room, just obstacles? Or are you the the one who gets "squished!"

Do not be "squished!" It says that in the Bible, here I will show you...

"...I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. But that doesn't mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift." Ephesians 4:1-7 (MSG)

In the circle of life, God has called each of us, "GOOSE, GOOSE, GOOSE..." but not each of us is to just follow and be like the one before us. Sometimes we have to get there in different ways. I don't know your way. I really don't even know mine. But, if I follow God's Word and not man, I am less likely to get "squished."

If there is one thing that I have learned while being at the 2010 Speak Up with Confidence Seminar, it is that God has created some beautiful geese...truly beautiful...some from really ugly ducklings. I know. I am one of them. I no longer doubt my calling to speak, but I am learning how. Ephesians 4 tells us that we can avoid getting "squished" if we follow these signs:
~ Humility & discipline
~ Not fits and starts
~ Steadily
~ Pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love,
~ Alert at noticing differences
~ Quick at mending fences

Which one will you follow from here? You are not a Silly Goose, you are Chosen.

Packing the Preparation for Presentation

Besides the pavement ahead, this was my view today as I drove through Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, AND Michigan in an 10 hour journey (with an undisclosed number of bathroom stops) to return to a Christian speaking seminar. As I zipped my suitcase at 6:35 a.m. this morning (with another undisclosed number of jewelry items and pairs of shoes), I printed out my 4 speeches, directions, and conference itinerary. The first speech is tomorrow at 3:00 in the afternoon, I thought. Then, as I handed my load to my husband, I was reminded of how a recent devotional helped me pack one last item for the journey...confidence.

Preparation is made up of agreement and claiming. Agreement is joining together my will with God's way. God's Word is true, consistent, and applicable. So, if I am in FULL agreement with what He says about me, then I am one step closer to being prepared for whatever lies waiting. I don't want to just know Truth (thanks to the Southern Baptist Covention for title of 1989 Texas State Bible Drill Championship 2nd Place Finisher), but to trust it. If Truth holds the first place of my heart, then I don't mind if my will is 2nd. But, if I don't agree with what God says about me, then Iam ill prepared for anything that takes place.

Claiming is affirming that God's way is my will. The popular verse, Change my heart O God, asserts that whatever changes He thinks are necessary will be accepted and maintained. FULL claim of my heart belongs to Him. I claim He is mine, and I am His.

So I agree that God has equiped me, called me, lead me, gifted me, favored me, chosen me, appointed me, blessed me, and most of all loved me. I claim that with so much invested in His creation, He will hover over me in the coming days to not only lead me in preparation, but in presentation, of every Word spoken in His confidence.


With the 604.6 miles already completed today, I know that the journey has just begun because of what I packed, how I prepared, and where I am placed.

A New Class - "Corinthian Math"

As I sit in our room, my haven (minus the extra "e"), complete with prayer bench at the foot of our bed, I close the door in soft light and begin to type...

Father, it has been 100 days since my last blog post.
It has been almost 1 year since my commissioning.
It has just been 2 days since I accepted your ministry...in my life.
And, it has just been in this moment, I have mustered the energy to attempt to share my praise of You, O Holy God.

Last year at a Speak Up seminar, the head of Cornerstone Theological Seminary came into the conference room that overlooked a still grey pond and asked all of us, "green" public speakers, to stand. Each was to put a hand on the person beside her as we received our commissioning. Two hands embraced me. As with his past graduating classes, he spoke the motivating charge as Christ would in red and said, "Go!" Although simple, still terribly enormous. I took it with streaks and streams of tears billowing down my face, but with open palms and knew my life would never be the same. My calling was confirmed. HE was preparing to multiply in His time.

In little over a year, God has taken a girl who loves her shoes (and secrets) and transformed her into something complete barefoot (vulnerable) and brand new. He took one rough, tearful, voice crackling public speaking testimonial and turned it into 6 public speaking events this year, with one on the way Saturday. He took 3 years of solo Bible Study and opened a door to lead one weekly at 5:45 a.m. And he took an eager unharnessed desire to minister and focused who, what, when, where, why, and how. HE multiplied in His Time.

And just mere hours ago, as I e-mailed all 25 girls (with 3 more on the way) who attended our first new Young Ladies Bible Study meeting Monday, in a room where I only envisioned 5, I await their transformation and acceptance of Truth. HE will multiply in His Time.

Because Truth says, "God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done.
As one psalmist puts it,
He throws caution to the winds,
giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
never run out, never wear out.
This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God" (2 Corinthians 9:8-11 MSG).

Have I mentioned that math has never been my strong suit? I tend to prefer a little "drama" from time to time. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the answer to a multiplication equation (1 Barefoot girl TIMES the 1 True God) was "the sum," but with God factored into the equation, I think the answer is "ALL, and then SOME!"

Can ya hear me now?!

Last Sunday, the last guest missionary speaker at church preached from John 9:1-5 about Jesus healing the man blind since birth. I sat there in awe because I thought that that passage of scripture was only added to the Bible for me. How quickly we forget how BIG our God really is! Picking my chin up off the floor, I whispered, "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" This text is a portion of the message I will be speaking about at 2 of my next 4 speaking engagements. I gleaned a number of insights from this speaker, but really I knew whose voice I was hearing.

Then today, with a very sick three year old on the couch, VeggieTales echoing, dishes sitting, speeches swirling, laundry piling, and my pajamas clinging, God sends me an on-line devotional with more references to what is already planned for my up and coming speaking engagement. Quoting King Hezekiah, I read the words from Psalm 121:1, "I lift up my eyes unto hills from whence comes my help?" I don't think the Psalmist wanted me focus on my hills of laundry or dishes! The answer is in verse 2, "My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth." It is like God saying, "Can ya hear me now...at Calvary?!" My soul/sole reply today is merely,"Thank you, Jesus!" Not only is the mentioning of King Hezekiah another parallel in my planned messages, but a message of encouragement in my planning.

What else can I say, when I realize how blessed am I to be living out a dream and speaking from God's word at 4 planned events in the next 2 months, but still loved so much by God Almighty Himself to offer me encouragement and strength to help me climb up to the dates with confidence!

He hears my doubt and speaks "CALM" - even the winds and the waves obey Him.
He hears my fear and speaks "LOVE" - for there is no spirit of fear with Him.
He hears my overwhelmedness and speaks "REST" - as only given in Him.

Ears ringing. Securing the connection. And answering.

Yesterday's Menu: Cold Feet on a Bed of Lies

A girl who claims to love to go "barefoot" may be susceptible to cold feet. That should be a disclaimer on my blog. Treatment plan is as follows:

Today, have just accepted my 3rd speaking invitation. Julia, my Californian mentor from afar, should know that I am the proud owner of a spreadsheet! Last summer, when asked how many times Julia had shared her testimony about being diagnosed with AIDS and coming to know Jesus, she replied specifically, "336 times." I will never forget how shocked I was by that precision. She went on to share that she keeps a list of all her speaking engagements on a spreadsheet and that is how she knows the exact number. Oh how encouraging to look back and know each one of those opportunities is a testament that God has used her for 17 years after her diagnoses. Praise God who redeems! But even with my new found spreadsheet, I am just now getting over what happened last Saturday.

Last Saturday, I misspoke and it has bothered me terribly. In casual conversation, I said something and knew I wanted to take back immediately. If you are a woman and you have ever carried on a conversation at all, you have to know what I am talking about. Please tell me I am not alone! In love, my quick and repetitive apology was accepted by a real friend - thank you. However, the Enemy chose not to hear that...he was too busy already talking! The entire weekend I heard lines like, "What are you thinking? You can't speak and teach, you can't even carry on a one-on-one conversation." And then, "You really need to reconsider accepting these invitations to speak, what if you offend? You know you are going to say something wrong! You have really messed up this friendship and there is no way you can share in a crowd."

My offering to be vulnerable and speak from my heart and God's Word went from BARE FEET to COLD FEET in a matter of minutes. The chill of Satan's hissing froze my thoughts. The fog had rolled in, penetrated to my core, and lingered. It took some time to discover what it really was...I know these thoughts are not true, right?! Kind of like when you freeze leftovers and forget to mark it. I was consuming it without really knowing what it was. How dangerous is THAT?!

I am in a new season, but the Enemy is the Iron Chef of Leftovers. He will take anything and try to win: battles that have already been won, pits that have been filled, races that have been finished, and yesterdays that have been conquered. Not by me, but by Christ. I am reminded of John 14:14 "You may ask anything in my name and I will do it." I want to stop feasting on lies, leftover ones and gourmet ones, in the name of Jesus...my Truth!

Prayer in His name (all 117 of them) has been like a pair of warm fuzzy yellow socks right out of the dryer. I think of my barefootness (how ya like that one Webster?!) as an offering to God; a declaration that I will be vulnerable before Him and others. Prayer is a willful act, as if sliding on socks each and every time you get a chill. There is comfort, protection, warmth, peace, and ultimate promise. Furthermore, if my cold feet get so cold that they go numb, how will I feel His path for me?! Prayer, following the forgiveness of a friend, and then myself, has warmed my bare feet. They are always bare, but do not have to be cold. My bare feet will get busy and may wiggle out and stray from the security of my socks, but time after time, I have to choose to warm up my favorite fuzzy socks between my hands, feel the power of "static cling," and slide back into Truth and my spreadsheet...in Jesus name.

From Ashes To ???

Readers, let me explain my absence...

Twenty-three days ago, I was invited to write for publication for the first time ever! Although terribly excited, it required more honesty, patience, and persistence than I thought I had. Even though there are no guarantees in the publishing word, His grace was sufficient. So God's story rests in God's hands. As I placed that short devotional in God's hands by hitting the send button, God reminded me that He can not be out given. An invitation to speak arrived on the eve of the devotional's final submission. I have been officially invited to speak TWICE and share God's miraculous work in my life! Dates are being set to speak in a small group setting followed by a larger service. Can I finally add a "Speaking Dates" button to my blog page?! Hallelujah...TBA!

Not to be out done by just answering my prayers for ministry, God has found a voice in others around me. Encouragers who say, "Yes, you can." A husband who says, "I think I will unload the dishwasher for you." And a beautiful friend (inside and out) who made my heart swell over our Ash Wednesday coffee, as she quoted,

"...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,the oil of gladness instead of mourning,and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of HIS splendor" Isaiah 61:3.

Lord, I don't know who would want to plant ANYTHING in me this past season. But YOU have! Weeks of aches, pains, and frustrations are bearing fruits of opportunity, possibilities, and renewal that I can only explain through YOU. Have Thine own way even from the ashes!

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...it is Tunesday!

In the last couple of weeks, I have enjoyed the privilege of speaking about public speaking. Neat, huh? The simple helping out a friend, by presenting at a few scout meetings, turned into a personal reflection. How is it that when we help out someone else, we are the ones who are ultimately blessed in the end? And, why are we surprised by it?

When given the chance to try their hand at public speaking, the older scouts withdrew and guarded what they shared as they introduced themselves while the younger group was open and demonstrated total freedom. What joy! Despite age, maturity, and experience the more eloquent speakers were the younger group of scouts. I had to go look in a mirror! Do I remain free? open? vulnerable myself as I speak about You, Lord? In the last few weeks (as evident by sparse blog posts), the answer is "No."

God explains, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" 2 Corinthians 3:17-20. My honesty came with an uncomfortable shock. Have I forgotten that I am STILL being transformed into His likeness? With even more honesty, I answered "YES!" Oh, how I have a lot of transforming to do! I went into the scout meeting encouraging others to stand up to one of mankind's greatest fears, next to death, and publicly speak. All the while, adjusting and fidgeting with my self-applied "veil." You know how it is. Anything that keeps us from reflecting the Light that is in us serves to veil our vision...our vision of what we want to be for Him and to see His vision of what He wants for us. Right?! Veils of fear, indecisiveness, competition, lack of faith, and pride have all been torn. Why do I keep reapplying?

Natalie Grant's song Perfect People has this one line that says, "So look up and see Love. Let grace be enough." And with that thought, I do look up and pray...

Thank you for being my mirror today, Lord. How incredibly complete You are. I needed to be reminded that there is no longer a veil between us. I am sorry for blocking Your Light. True freedom (my heart's desire) comes from allowing Your Spirit to unveil what You have already created in me. I am free to be me because I am in You. Amen.

Good to the Last Drop

Thanks to so many of you who have inquired about this past weekend’s speaking opportunity at the Women’s Retreat in West Virginia. God moved in a mighty way throughout the entire weekend. Here’s the story…

Friday, God Filled My Cup
Have you noticed the days are getting shorter? Not only do the days pass by more swiftly, but there is less and less daylight in each of them. My how time passes was my exact thought as we drove 2 hours to see one of my younger brothers earn his junior black belt. We shared a milestone despite time and distance. As we drove home in the early-setting darkness, I got comfy, slid off my shoes as my oldest younger brother of 30 years, shared his heart. The season was about to change.

This past summer, he met my desire to share my testimony with a great deal of anxiety, hesitation, and even frustration. You have to understand, until God healed and changed MY heart, neither of us was openly, let alone publicly, comfortable to share that our dad committed murder and suicide. Now, in autumn darkness, headlights illuminated our way. My brother shared how after the previous Sunday’s sermon, Living in the Spirit - Not Flesh, he went to the altar. Not quite done with him, God tugged on his heart to openly share, on a Sunday morning to a full congregation, the story of what our dad did in the flesh. What a milestone! What a God moment!

I know of my own painful, agonizing, gut-wrenching experience of sharing our story publicly from earlier this summer…only to be met with fireworks as I left Michigan. On my late night drive home, after getting lost, somewhere over Canton, Ohio, I saw fireworks overhead and was reminded of an earlier-heard quote by Sarah Young, “When your joy in Me [Christ] meets My [Christ’s] joy in you there will be fireworks of celestial ecstasy.” That moment was a bright and shining celebration of being obedient to the Lord.

As my brother talked about how God worked to change his heart, we had the opportunity revisit the summer’s conversations…some very heated! He understood the urging that the Spirit can have on your life and the need to obey. Just then, my husband interrupts and points. “Look over there. Did you see that? There were fireworks!” Are you serious, “It is October” I said, but immediately I knew that didn't matter. In a dark sky, on an autumn night, near an interstate, God again showed me His celestial ecstasy in our sibling healing…we shared the same bright colorful Joy. Are you surprised to know my brother finished sharing his story with us by telling how the next afternoon brought a call from his Pastor rejoicing that someone in the church was saved, citing my brother's testimony as an impetus? A stranger, but not to God, gained his sight and welcomed His Light into his life from our family's darkness! Praise God!

Saturday, My Cup Overflowed
So the next morning I drove in the twilight to West Virginia to speak of King Hezekiah’s tunnel and share how God helped me find a way to overcome my walls of shame, embarrassment, and resentment to bathe in pools of blessing.
The Spirit washed over me with ease - I just shared.
My words were from healing– not just hurt.
There was no anxiety or wrenching – just Truth.
God spoke to hearts – just used my mouth.

Sunday, I Got a Refill!
I never expected more on Sunday. But, I serve a generous God! What a bright day...full of Light...to bathe in His Presence after seeing Him the past two days. As we sat down, looked at the bulletin, the text for the Sabbath’s sermon was Exodus 3:1-10 where God called Moses to be barefoot…no excuses!

And since it is Tunesday on my blog...
Fill my cup Lord,
I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of Heaven, Feed me till I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make ME whole!

And the Oscar goes to...

So, I wrote my first skit today...a comedy monologue. A women rushes in to the church fellowship like a whirlwind to join all her friends for a time of spiritual retreat and renewal. She is frazzled, frustrated, and in a frenzy. She plops down with a huge purse and begins to frantically search for her lipstick to freshen up before the guest speaker takes the stage. And thus, it begins. She pulls one purse out of another purse out of another purse out of another and so on, as she in excruciating detail shares the morning's chaotic events of her life. Yes, I may be barefoot, but I do have that many purses! "I'm a tellin' ya the truth, I know my lipstick is in one of these bags," she insists. Upon finding and applying her beauty, she sits covered up by a mound of baggage. Moral of the story: We can not truly be all that He has already designed for us unless we are willing to dig through our baggage and find what makes us shine for Him.

Lord, whatever you want to use this weekend, Your Word, a skit, an analogy, or my own testimony (that I still have difficulty sharing), it is YOURS! Make me shine a beautiful shade of whatever brings You glory...I prefer Black Honey by Clinque.:)

Prep, Print, Post, Pray

This week I am preparing to speak at a Weekend Women's Retreat in West Virginia. Yippeee! I feel like Cinderella getting ready for the ball...a dream come true...turning the not so glamorous parts of my life into something for His glory. Speaking of which, Cinderella had bare feet issues, too, didn't she? The focus of the weekend is Psalm 18:28 "Enlighten My Darkness!" I will be sharing some of my own testimony and the story of King Hezekiah's Tunnel. So, I thought I would make short daily posts this week to invite you along for the journey. Today's preparations consisted of looking up some key scripture about the tunnel, enjoying a long talk with an inspiring mentor and friend, professionally printing some visual aids, designing business cards, and finding a really cool blog post about the tunnel! But the most enlightening part about today was finishing my study on Titus where Paul tells Titus not only to "initiate" good works, but "maintain" them. So, back to our beloved girlfriend with her one shoe on, one shoe off dilemma. I hear, "Be bold, take a step, take off the other glass slipper, don't hold on, don't hold back." Bold & barefoot...and I pray that I stay that way!

Is there a chill in the air? Or is it just me?!

Being the mother of an imaginative preschooler, I know my cartoon characters. For those who can relate, what does Thomas the Tank Engine, Elmo, and Bob the Builder all have in common? They all demonstrate spiritual truths. Seriously, take a look.

Thomas the Tank Engine seeks to be "very useful" and help other trains different from himself...Thomas is like the Good Samatrian. Elmo follows the golden rule and loves one another...everyone, all the time, anywhere, no matter what. Bob the Builder fixes everything! You know the song..."Can we fix it? Yes, we can!" Bob has the faith of a mustard seed and is the ultimate optimist. Isn’t he? Yes! He is!

Are we? Do we have spiritual optimism? Can we? Yes, we can! But today, I share a caution.

Obviously, our sufficiency isn’t through Bob the Builder, but through Christ. I bet we can all state the ever popular verse, Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” I see that verse a lot...Posters, greeting cards, home décor. But where is John 15:5? John quoted Jesus. Jesus said, “without me, ye can do nothing.” Tucked behind the vines and branches, it doesn’t get the same popularity does it? No, it doesn't. But is holds so much meaning.

God has provided a speaking opportunity this coming weekend at a Women's Retreat. I will be sharing about God's work in my life this summer and my Bible Study of King Hezekiah. As I gather notes, get anxious, make outlines, harness my creativity...I get nervous. Who am I to share from God's Word? Will they like it? Is it entertaining? Thought provoking? Scripturally sound? Cold barefeet set in before I started preparing Saturday. However on Saturday, He saw fit to provide 3 affirming e-mails about gifts that others see in me and led me to read, "When you project yourself into the future, rehearsing what you will do or say, you are seeking to be self-sufficient: to be adequate without My [Christ's] help. This is a subtle sin - so common that it usually slips by unnoticed" by Sarah Young in my devotional, Jesus Calling.

It greatly excites me that God provides different verses for different situations; only He can empower and humble us at the SAME TIME! So, when we need to know that “Yes, we can!” – God empowers us and gives us Phil 4:13. But, when we are too sure of ourselves and are tempted to abuse our gifts and abilities in the name of the Lord…He humbles us with John 15:5. In my attempts to be self-sufficient, self-reliant, and go it alone, I am glad He said, “No! You Can’t!” His Word warms my feet!