Its Christmas!

This time of year is known for its traditions--egg nog, singing Christmas carols, giving and receiving gifts, decorations, lots of sweets, big meals, family,...the list goes on and on. I am confident I have enjoyed most, if not all, of those traditions during this season, though I have tried to cut back on the volume in the sweets category! In the midst of all the traditions this season, I was thinking this morning that I need to be careful to pay special attention. It is too easy to miss the importance of what we are celebrating if we just "do" tradition.
This season I hope you will take time to see something new, or just to see the tradition in a new way, to appreciate what it is...actually WHO it is we celebrate. Whether you are singing, looking at lights, eating, spending time with family...whatever your traditions...take a moment (or more!) to consider the reason for those traditions. Most of all, be sure to celebrate the life God has given us through the gift of His Son, Jesus! May we respond to the Gift as the shepherds and wise men did--compelled to come closer, to tell others, and most importantly to respond with worship!
Merry Christmas! May His life be seen in our lives by those around us.

Take a Walk

I took a walk this morning. It was a bit confusing to be honest. The calendar says October (yes, it is the END of October!) but the snow on the ground was screaming December. This visual helps as I practice for our church’s Christmas music, but the green grass poking through the snow that was covered by falling leaves was just a little odd this morning. God certainly likes to mix it up sometimes.

The walk was a great opportunity to review the past two weekends. God has been good indeed (as always!) as I looked into the Word together with the women of Hope Grace Brethren church last weekend, and then with Faith Baptist this past weekend. We studied God’s calling out to us to “come as you are” and our reluctance at times last weekend. Then, our study this weekend focused on our interactions with one another and “walkin’ with my sista’!”

One of the best things about traveling and speaking, to me, is watching God do His work. Communicating that which is living, pertinent and powerful, and then watching as God’s Spirit does His work is just incredible…no…more like awesome. (Those who know me know I don’t use that word for anything except God, and it definitely fits here!) To be sure, there is nothing better to me than teaching the Word.

The busy schedule will slow a bit now and the emphasis will shift now to more class work preparations, teaching online and of course our Wellspring Sunday school class prep. Along with that, November brings my favorite holiday…Thanksgiving! It is still a few weeks, but these past months have flown by and the holidays will be here much quicker than anticipated.

As you finish the last couple months of the year, be sure to take a walk now and then just to review what God has done in your life…and don’t forget to say “thank you” J

Time for a change

Autumn has come and with it cooler temperatures, the diversity of color on the leaves, and a busy schedule. If I am honest I love the colors, but it is sad to say good bye to the heat. I enjoy warmth but it is time once again to pull out the sweaters, long-sleeved shirts and blankets.

October also means a busy schedule with teaching during the week, our Wellspring Sunday school class on Sunday mornings and traveling to speak most weekends. Last week I joined the women of Genoa Baptist Church in Columbus, OH as we talked about “How to Have a Healthy Heart”. It was a great time and was extra special because I spent the weekend with a former player! God is so gracious to allow us to see some of His continued work through the years.

This weekend I was blessed to have been with New Hope Baptist Church for their second annual Women’s Conference. Their theme, “The Fabrics of Our Lives” reminded all of us throughout the conference that God was “making” us. He was at work indeed as we asked the question, “What are you made of?” in the three sessions together. The stage and hallways were lined with quilts—each with a story, each made with care, each different and purposeful…just like each of us. God used His word in us to affirm, encourage, teach, and correct. One of the things I enjoy about speaking is watching God use His Word in the lives of those who will listen with intention. There is nothing better than being changed by God and allowing Him to use you to help others see Him clearer! I got word from the conference director that one of the women attending became a new creation this weekend. God saved her and she now has a relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus!!! Now THAT’S worth shouting about!

As the seasons change, take time to be intentional about life today. Live life to its fullest as God does His work of changing us into the image of His Son and as always be aware for the opportunities God will give you to make His name known in your sphere of influence.

Making a Difference

I won’t try to hide it…I’m beat! J We’ve just finished the second weekend of the women’s conference here on campus. A total of about 940 women came to be encouraged and challenged in the Word through music, interaction, entertainment and speakers. It is always one of the hightlights of my year—seeing familiar faces, worshipping with all the women and being so encouraged by their own real walks of faith.

It was my privilege to give a workshop this year that centered on the topic of knowing God. It is such a broad topic but my workshop looked at it from the Apostle Paul’s perspective in his letter to the Philippians. I was reminded that this huge concept does indeed have practical implications for my daily living. Increasing in the knowledge of God increases my discernment in the choices I find myself making every day.

Knowing God is a learning process…with quite a curve at times. It happens in your reality (no matter what that reality is) by experience and includes a pursuit that begins with a perspective, involves sacrifice and work and…suffering. Paul made knowing God his greatest pursuit and I have been challenged to make it mine too.

So the next time we need to make a decision that seems oh so practical and daily, let’s take a moment and be sure that the choices are based on our pursuit of God. It really does make a difference.

Spring has come!

Spring has finally come…I think. The winter weather has been here for many months and it seems that the spring rain wants to follow suit. Doing life these months has been a great reminder of what we talked about in my James class this spring at BBC. James begins and ends his letter with the encouragement to remain steadfast and endure despite what life may be handing you. The recipients would have read it with their trials, perhaps even persecution in mind. They would have also been thinking about the imminent return of their Savior, Jesus. As I’ve taught the Spirit has been slowly and steadily working to remind me that my mind and heart also need to be steadfast. This perspective shows in the way I handle daily life. No matter the circumstances, my spirit can rest and can persevere knowing that the One who loves me is indeed with me, and will never leave.

The spring has also brought speaking opportunities with the women at the Trinity Bible Church Ladies Tea in Glassboro, NJ as well as a weekend retreat with Blessed Hope ministries at the beautiful Letourneau Conference Center in Canandaigua, NY. I have met new friends and been refreshed by old ones in my travels. I’m so glad God gives us connections, aren’t you?!?!! In just a couple weeks the LYFE Women’s Conference will begin here on campus. During the first two weekends in June, over 950 women will come for encouragement, solid Bible teaching, fellowship and connection. If you haven’t come to LYFE, you should join us some time…how about this year?!

Spring brings the end of another school year, the end of the snow (let’s hope!) and many new beginnings. I hope as your seasons change you remain steadfast no matter your reality.

the daily-ness of life

Ever notice that life just keeps going? goods, bads, uglies,...it just keeps on. Life here, as it has in so many other parts of the country has included snow, ice and cold temperatures. Word on the street is that the temps will rise this week...the sound of "50 degrees" is music to my ears and the slush that will result from the meltdown will be a welcomed sight though I'm sure the next thing for some people to complain about.

We've begun a study on prayer in our Wellspring Sunday Ladies Bible Study class and, as is to be expected, the time has been challenging to me already. We have a section of our class entitled, "Its a God-thing"--an opportunity for the ladies to share some of the answers to prayer they've seen during the past week. What fun to listen as the ladies share some of what God has done in, through and for them! The goal of this segment is to make us all more aware of God's working in our lives, as well as to perhaps make us more aware of our need to pray.

Life here has been pretty basic with teaching (some core Physical Education courses, but also a Bible elective in James), teaching preparation (sunday preps, current classes and a new grad school online course in Exercise and Nutrition), speaking preparation (spring will be here before we know it...can I get an AMEN?!! and the schedule will be much busier once that happens). I am also enjoying practicing for our church's Easter musical.

It seems there is always plenty to do, and the task at hand is to maintain a pliable heart in the every day busyness. Sometimes the winter dreary weather, and gray skies can seep its way into my soul. How important my daily time with God becomes. My spirit NEEDS to know He is there and that He is actively involved. I long for His bright touch in the midst of the gray of February. This happens as I talk and listen to Him in His Word and the time spent in prayer.

As the warmer weather comes and the drearyness of winter subsides, I hope your heart is holding on to His faithfulness and the truth of who He is. Keep your eyes and heart open to the Spirit's leading. He may have you be a bright spot in someone's life today. Live like crazy in the midst of your daily-ness!