The rest...is up to you

Retreat – haven, hideaway, sanctuary, refuge.

There is that anxious feeling brewing this morning. When the clock strikes 5 bells, the bus will depart from the youth center to pickup kids for a weekend winter retreat. Regardless of how many you have confirmed, you never know who will actually attend until the bus is camp bound. We are taking a group of around 15 5th & 6th graders. We purposely target a smaller group of kids, to create a more intimate atmosphere at camp.

“Don’t worry about creating the right spiritual atmosphere Brandy, camp will do that...you just have to be open and willing to share God’s word.”

This month’s scripture theme at the youth center has revolved around getting connected:

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Lord, apart from you, I can do nothing, especially with my limited understanding and experience. I will plan the retreat and walk up in front of these kids to share your word...but you’re going to have to do the rest.

Sing for Joy

I naively came to Christ. I surrendered my life unaware of the sacrifice it takes to follow Him. That is the truth. I surrendered my life...because everything I had poured my soul into...and put my faith into...had not given me peace...

Happy is temporary. Joy is lasting. My happy came and went with circumstances. I did not know joy. In grim circumstances...when happiness flees...joy is coveted. One morning I heard a promise...joy delivered through Christ...where do I sign?

There are days I feel I should have read the fine print. :)

Today is not one of those days. Today is a day when the joy is living so active inside me...I can hardly keep it contained. Today is a day when the sacrifice required seems miniscule in comparison to the joy living within.

Sacrifices will vary...

...but the joy will remain.

A woman shared during my Bible study this morning that her sister is so close to coming to Christ because she is in desperate need of hope, but she is not sure she is willing to surrender everything to Him. This is when it hit me...this thought never even crossed my mind...I simply jumped after the promise of joy...

...and praise God every day since then that I received it.

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14

Give Thanks

"Thank you for this food." A simple prayer...often skipped completely...or spoken routinely. But have you ever paused long enough to consider the value?

"Is there anything I can be praying for you?" I asked my 5th and 6th grade discipleship group. "Yes...please pray for food...we don't have any in the house...and can't afford anything." After the prayer, I took her aside to speak with her. "Dad started a new job and doesn't get paid until Friday." I had one thought...Friday...was painfully after Thanksgiving. "How would you like if I dropped off a Thanksgiving basket with plenty of food for the holidays?" I inquired. "Really Brandy...you would do that? Thank you so much!" She grabbed a hold of me with a hug. Thanks to our Moline food pantry...this became a reality...for a family who tries...a family who works...a family who came up short...a family who may have paused long enough to give genuine thanks this holiday season.

There is much I want to teach these kids...but every day they continue to teach me.

Slow down...count your blessings...give thanks. Happy Thanksgiving!

From burdens to bridges

"Sometimes I feel like I was called into ministry too soon"...I admitted to my boss. And I do. I was just beginning to get my feet wet into what it meant to be a Christian...when I jumped into the fire.

I've been battling with God recently. On a very personal level.

John Perkins spoke at the CCDA conference, and as he referenced a child whom he'd lost before his time...he said that it was ok to be mad at God...He can handle it. I'm not sure mad is the right word...but it's not wrong either.

I received an email with a picture message that has stuck with me...an individual carrying his cross...and as the burden got too heavy to bear...he would cut a piece off to lighten the load...a little further down the road...as it got rough...another piece would come off...this happened several times along his path...until the burden wasn’t so heavy to carry. But as he reached the end of his road...he came across a deep ravine that needed crossing. He watched as others around him used their crosses as bridges to pass through to the other side. However as he threw his across the ravine, he realized due to his lightened load...it was not long enough to cross. He had endured an easier journey...only to miss the destination.

When I'm being tested the most...I am careful of my prayer life...not for a lighter burden...but the strength to carry my cross...as it was given.

More than a book

Every Wednesday morning...I make the short drive to church...to attend a women’s Bible study alongside many other women from different walks of life. As we wrap up a 10-week study...I reflect back on the journey and learning process I'm completing. How does each study continue to meet me where I am...and directly relate to my circumstances? As we share around our tables...it is evident that it has met all of these women exactly where they needed to be met. This divine reality never goes unnoticed. I'll never forget the first time the Bible became a living word in my life. In the prior days...the Bible was merely a book...a book of old rules...a book of old words...merely a book. I remember watching the elderly people I knew reading it...and wondering why they continually read it...knowing full well they had read it before. That was before I realized that those words...are never the same twice.

I'm currently reading another book...peppermint-filled piñatas...which illustrates how to move from simply tolerating people to loving people (even the difficult ones). The author shared a story of his encounter with a young gas station attendant who had begun passing his late night shift by reading a recently acquired stolen Bible. The question was simple...the answer profound. “Do you believe in God?” to which the attendant responded an answer the author would never forget “I never did, but now I know he is real because he is speaking to me through the Bible."

...more than a book.

Smile

This photo simply leaves you with that warm feeling...that is worth sharing...with the gentle reminder...to smile.

(Thanks Amie for sharing)

A Friend like Him

One of the more humorous descriptions of God came from a good friend of mine..."He's like an imaginary friend for grown-ups." While it demonstrates unbelief...the quote has brought much laughter between us.

When I first made the choice to follow Christ...it did seem like a black and white decision I came to..."yes...I choose to believe without proof." But after making that black and white decision...my faith began filling in with color.

Before you come to have a personal relationship with God...it may seem feasible to reduce Him down to an imaginary friend. However, my belief is no longer solely defined by a decision I made early one morning. My belief is solidified by Him...and His active presence in my life.

Through many tests and trials, I have caught myself wrestling with unbelief...and I’ve learned to openly give that up to Him...and seek His assistance.

"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Mark 9:24

I’ve also had the joy recently as I work through my Bible study to look back throughout my past and witness “His thread” along my life. Each time He allowed me to fail...helped me succeed...sifted where I needed sifting...and gently restored my brokenness.

And that my friends...is not imaginary. Blessed are those with a friend like Him.

I was blessed

God's blessings never come in the packages we expect...or follow the timelines we set...

because God's blessings surpass any dream you felt like dreaming...outshine any day you felt like singing...

God’s blessings don’t leave room for error or wonder. It was Him.

God’s blessings lead you to your knees...once again divinely amazed by His goodness.

Today...I was blessed.