Priests

Last week I went out to lunch with a really great friend at a really nice eatery. I sat down first, and the waitress, who probably thought I was a child, came across a little rude. Thankfully my friend is much more courageous than I when it comes to ensuring good service, and expressed her concern to the management.

After the waitress saw us praying over our food, she came by and expressed how sorry she was and that she was a Christian too.

Um okay....

It took me back to a book I am reading that begins by sharing that we are called to be priests. A priest shows the world who our God is, what our God acts like - simply put we are His representatives.

Maybe this waitress had a long day, or a lot on her mind, or whatever. I don't know. And there have been times that I have had to remind myself that I am a Christian and I need to act like it. I am not at all suggesting that we need to be pushovers, because that is not who our God is. But, what I am suggesting though that we live lives that show forth God's grace, His goodness, His favor, His forgiveness, and most of all His Love.

My prayer...

Lord, you have called us to be priests, representatives of You in this world. Give us grace to live a life worthy of the call You have set before us. Guard our lives with your peace, guard our minds with your wisdom, and guard our hearts with your love. When we are weak, be our strength. When we feel powerless, gird us up with your truth and might. When tests and trials of all manners come against us, remind us that you will never leave us, and you will never let us have more than we can bear.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Out with the sulk, in with the shout!

Have you ever had a time where you know God has answered you?

Exciting right?!!?!!?

Today was a day like that for me...except for me the answer was a clear "No."

Ummm...not so exciting...and I am not even going to front - I sulked - and it made me question the love of God.

Then God asked me to really think about my day.

Me: I went to church. You showed up in an awesome way. It was great.
God: And...
Me: I took saliva samples all day.
God: Stop there.

Sidenote:
Without going into a huge TMI moment, I had to take samples of my saliva all day today. Once the samples are analyzed the doctor will help me create a plan to keep me healthy and energized based on a planned diet and rest times. To my friend who suggested that this was a blog worthy topic although I was taken aback by the idea, thanks for your wisdom :)

I then had a Job moment, you know when Job begins to ask God "why?" and God answers him with a "where were you?..." [check out Job 40-41]. God reminded me that He cares so much about us that he created even our saliva to bear footprints of the life He created within us. Who are we that He is mindful of us? Not only mindful, but every ounce of our being shows His creative work. The thought that He put into creating us is evident cell by cell.

God's love for us is more than our wildest dreams...
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19)

His care for us is incomparable...
...Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And [yet] not one of them is forgotten or uncared for in the presence of God. But [even] the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be struck with fear or seized with alarm; you are of greater worth than many [flocks] of sparrows.
Luke 12:6-7 (Amplified Version)

I am so thankful for a loving and caring God who answers us when we call upon Him. Even though an answer may be "no," the answer comes from the One who knows the whole plan! I want to live in the place where I can say like Job, "I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted..." (Job 42:2). That's exciting!! Out with the sulking, in with the dancing and shouting!

My prayer...

Lord, thank You that Your Word never returns unto us void. Thank you that everything that You promised us will come to pass. Strengthen us to run the race that you have set before us. Block the paths that aren't of You. Set our minds on the truth of Your love and Your care for us. When the enemy tries to make us question and doubt, help us to fight with Your Word and stand firm on Your promises.
In Jesus' Name. Amen.

The itsy bitsy spider...

****Disclaimer...I know 24 is fictional. I know Jack Bauer really does not exist. So can you just roll with me... ;)****

On Monday nights I go to my cousins' home to watch 24 and my man Jack Bauer as he saves the U.S. and the world from impending danger. I am usually pumped after I leave and feel like I too can go save the world. When the show ended, I jumped in the car and started driving home when I saw a spider crawling up my radio panel.

Doing what all brave chicas do, I screamed until my own ears rang. The next thing that happened amazed me - I saw my father's face flash before my eyes and these words emitted from that floating head, "If you crash this car over a bug - you're going to get it."

Not wanting my obituary to read that I died in a car crash over seeing a spider or finding out from my dad what "it" was considering I haven't had a spanking in years, I pulled myself together quickly. I was a little sad that my brave heart seemed to diminish when I found myself in the face of danger. I think Jack would be a little disappointed.

I started thinking about the song that I love called Crazy by Gnarls Barkley. My brother did an incredible rendition of the song (Shoutout to Gabriel!!)...watch it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STMRtyRDwRo

In the song there is a verse that says...

My heroes had the heart to lose their lives out on a limb
And all I remember is thinking, I want to be like them
Ever since I was little, ever since I was little it looked like fun
And it's no coincidence I've come
And I can die when I'm done

Then Cee-Lo asks a rhetorical question, "Maybe I'm crazy?..."

You know what Cee-Lo...perhaps you are. It is naive to think that putting your life on the line for something is easy or fun. As much as I love watching Jack Bauer, tonight he finally admitted what he does isn't emotionally easy, even though in many ways he is a hero. But Jack always has the heart to keep going no matter how dangerous the task may be. And Mr. Cee-Lo is on to something that Dr. King Jr., said long ago, if we are going to live for something, let it be something to have the heart to die for.

I think if we are going to be real in our walk for Christ, others may think that we are a little "crazy." We ourselves may think that we are a little crazy. But, when we are able to live a life on the line and set our hearts on a singular focus - Christ, you and I can live a life knowing that it's not in vain and our purpose in life will be well spent.

My prayer...

Lord, let me spend my life on You and Your purposes. let my heart be set on You always. My desire is to lose my life in you. Change my heart to care about the things that touch Your heart. Make my heart break with the things that break your heart. When the world thinks I am crazy because of my walk or my stance, give me courage to keep pressing forward.

In Jesus' name. Amen.

The only One who matters

Two of my good friends just came back from visiting IHOP. Not the pancake IHOP - the International House of Prayer IHOP. Check it out (www.ihop.org). After unsuccesfully cloning myself so no one would know that I was missing from work or class, I conceded to to the fact that I would not be able to go with them.

Upon returning my friend described her experience and what she learned grabbed my heart - our job is to love God. Simple right? But do we really think and live like that?...I know I don't. Most of the time I am hoping I don't disappoint Him, or hoping I am doing the right thing, or trying to stay away from things that will bring me down. That's all well and good, but I realized that I don't wake up saying, "God I just want to love you today." Yet, that is the first commandment that Jesus gives us. "Love the Lord God with all your heart..." (Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27). In the words of Toby Mac, "I was made to love You..."

When we love, we know God (1 John 4:7). I believe that when we know God, we know what it means to meet with Him, to encounter Him, and to dwell with Him.

I heard a prayer Saturday that changed my life. It ended, "In the Name of the only One who matters. Jesus." It is the truth. He is the only One who matters. When we love Him we can seek Him and we will find Him - and truly encounter Him. Everything else falls into place when we love the only One that matters.

My prayer...

Lord, I want to love you more. I want my heart to be undivided for You. You are my true desire. You are the only One that I hope for. When the storms of life try to make me believe that you are absent or that you have forgotten, remind me that Your love for me is unshakable and that You have written me on the palm of Your hand. Help me to keep my heart open to Your love.
In Jesus Name. Amen.

A Song for You

I had to go to the ATM today, but I stopped at a bank where I usually don't stop. It was on a main street in DC and there was a long line. I was honestly a little annoyed and on the verge of heading to another bank when I saw an old man walking in my direction, so I said hello. He said hello back, kept walking and then came back towards me.

Old Man: Can I sing you a song?
Me: Ummm, sure...

This man starts singing to me about being beautiful. Really loud too. And people started stopping on the street to look. I am mortified at this point, but the man wouldn't stop singing.

The most hilarious part of this is that I really was looking a little rough today. Ponytail, sneakers, and some corny jeans - I might pass for teeny bopper cute, but not deserving of a "beautiful" song. After about 3 minutes (no joke) of this song, he stops singing, tells me to have a blessed day, and walks off.

"Okay, that was weird," I thought to myself. And at that moment I heard God remind me of how He loves me and how He has called me beautiful. I realized that song that old man sang was for me, to remind me how God sees me. And when we make a decision to turn our heart towards Him and His ways we are able to fall more in love with Him.

God sings over us (Zephaniah 3:17). He wants us to know how much He loves us and in that we can respond to His love. We know Christ loves us because when even we were in sin, He had so much love for us that He died for us (Romans 5:8).

I encourage you to open your heart to God's love for you. Open your ears to the song He sings over you. His love for you is immeasurable. Respond to it.

My prayer...

Lord, thank You for your gift of salvation, even when I was in sin You died for me because of Your love for me. Thank you. Help me to live a life in Your love. Help me to grasp how deep, how high, and how wide Your love is for me. As I am healed, changed, and set free by Your love, help me to share Your love with others.
In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Don't go to jail...

I got a laugh in this weekend and saw Madea Goes to Jail. I was born in and lived in the West End of Atlanta until I was almost 6 years old, so for those of you who saw the movie, "I am from the West End where we cut first and ask later..." (Don't ask me to roll down there now...LOL)

When the house lights came on the "Po-Po" were in full force trying to figure out who to haul away. Apparently, in the middle of the movie a fight broke out in the theater (that's why I usually try to go to suburban theaters....another story for another day...LOL). I mean, really though, we ARE watching a movie about someone going to jail because of their temper. It seems like someone could have talked that person out of fighting. There is a lot more to do in life than going to jail.

As I was shaking my head about people who like staying in trouble and going to jail, my head stopped mid-shake as I thought about the personal jails in which I like to stay. Like the jail of fear. Or the jail of insecurity. Or the jail of self-pity. Or the jail of...

Me: Okay God, there are some jails it seems that I like going to...
God: You don't ever have to live there.
Me: But its hard not to go to those things. I mean what if I am really sad about something...
God: You don't ever have to live there.

There are times when I get out of the jail of fear, stay out for a while and go right back. I don't even have an explanation for it...I just find myself back there. When I do get out - it seems like it is on a technicality. For instance, someone may call on me to do something and I can't make myself pass out fast enough, so I do it, and get out of the jail of fear...for like an hour.

God: You dont ever have to live there. Ever.

I am reminded of The Wiz when Diana Ross/Dorothy asks, "what are you afraid of?...don't know what I'm made of..."

We are made of the best. In His image and likeness, inwardly we are being renewed and being transformed more like Him day by day.

My prayer...

Jesus, thank you for the freedom You gave me through Your sacrifice at the cross. Thank you that I don't have to live in [name your personal jails/chains], but by the power of Your blood I am free. Thank you that everyday You are transforming me into Your likeness. Help my heart to be open to your love, let my ears be clear to hear Your voice, give me the strength to have the readiness to obey.

Back on the blog grind...

Hyatus is not even the word I would use to describe my lack of blogging. So I am writing again with the hopes I can put myself out there and [gasp] write two times a week. Right now, I need all my accountability people to take note :)

I know people who write in their blog everyday, but quite frankly I am ...

1) Not that interesting
2) Not that deep
3) Not that funny
4) Not ready to write that much outside of class


So here we go...

Don't you love people who are brutally honest (doing it in love, or so we hope) with you? For example, I had a conversation today with someone who told me...

"Your hair looks stringy, but it looks nice."

Ummmm. Okay. I started laughing (surprise, surprise) because I thought it was a hilarious comment. But you, my special blog reader, get to read what went through my head at that moment, in this order...

1) I haven't combed my hair in a day
2) Wait, I haven't combed my hair in two days
3) I found my night scarf this morning after last seeing it two days ago
4) Ooooohhh...it probably does.

I know this person was really trying to be nice about it and I wasn't quite sure what to say aloud after my burst of laughter, so I walked away. (Yes, I know - awkward - I am working on being less awkward.)

The amazing thing is that encounter made me thankful for all the people in my life who keep it real with me. We all need someone in our lives that help us to be a better us. Really though. I probably would have gone another day without a comb...why you ask? Sometimes I feel there are more important things than combing my hair in the morning (like brushing my teeth - hey sometimes when you have just a few minutes in the morning - its one or the other!) This person knew I would look so much cuter ;) if my hair wasn't looking stringy. And you know what... you better bet tomorrow I am going to rake a comb through my head!

Not only does God send people to speak some truth in love in our lives, or to sharpen our iron, but God himself wants to speak truth to us and make us more like Himself. That's the true better us. I encourage you to ask God to show you some "uncombed" areas of your life. In this season more than ever God is saying - be a better you! It may be that you read your Bible, but need to step it up and do some thinking about the Word. Maybe this is a time where you pray often but need to be more committed about fasting.

I know that God is calling me in some areas to be a better me - what is going to be your better you?

My prayer...

Lord, speak to me. Speak to my heart and open my spiritual eyes to the areas in which you are calling me to grow. Send people in my life who will help me be a better me and help to sharpen the areas that aren't quite together. Let me not be like one who looks in the mirror and forgets, but remind me of the beauty that You are creating from these ashes and the gold that You are bringing forth from the refining fire.
In Jesus' Name. Amen.