No Match

She was mighty with thick bark that provided mountainous terrain for the tiniest of God's creatures. Her branches stretched forth for what seemed like miles dressed in lush green leaves providing homes for generations of feathered friends as they learned to fly.

Many seeked refuge in her shade. Her strong arm ever extended, never waivering as it held child after child as they swung laughing in the old tire swing.

She had seen her share of wind and rain, but never cowered at their approach. She welcomed the rains so that she could drink from them. The light and heat of the noonday sun had only served to bring her much needed nourishment as she grew taller and stronger year after year.

She shaded many picnics and heart to heart chats, she heard many dreams shared between kindred hearts as they paused for a few minutes.  She marked the spot for yard sales, witnessed hours of make believe, and leant her peaceful spirit for many afternoon naps in the hammock. She was a place of escape for the frightened kittens that passed her way. The cool earth at her feet provided the perfect spot for the family friend to catch a much needed breath as he curled at Grandpa's feet. 

Spring after spring she scattered seed as far as she could see, anxious for others to spring forth and grow to be just like her.

Then something happened.

She still looked beautiful.

Her limbs seemed strong.

Her leaves still full and lush as the storm winds began to blow.  She wasn't concerned though, for she had weathered many storms without harm, and this one was certainly no worry.  As the winds made her dance and sway, she first felt a strain, then a crack as she twisted and fell to the very ground she once shaded.

Passers by mourned losing her, never realizing how much they appreciated her presence until she was no longer able to stand.

They were saddened and shocked by what they saw. As she lay helpless upon her own roots, the inside of her trunk was completely open for the world to see. Although her limbs still seemed strong, her leaves still fresh and green, everyone who looked upon her was dazed. Dazed at the dark, bitter rot that had destroyed her from the inside out as they were unaware of its existence. Even she was shocked at what had grown within her, first slowly, then more quickly and she was no match for the storm that came that day.

Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God.

Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you,

corrupting many.

Hebrews 12:15

Our next Godsword.

Let's memorize it and USE it by July 13.

Don't let this story describe you.

 

Royal Princess Daughter Of The King

All the Time In the World

By my small number of posts over the past two weeks, you're probably thinking I have ran out of things to say. Let me assure you, that is so NOT the case. There are so many thoughts rolling around in my head, I've been having a hard time narrowing them down well enough to put them into typed words. You are also probably thinking that I forgot about Warrior Princess Wednesday last week. Truth is - I did and I didn't. I completed my post for Wednesday and forgot to address the verse, so I decided to give you a couple of extra days on it and bring it up on Friday - Needless to say, Friday didn't happen either, as you already know. It seems this little annual event called VBS took over the life within my household last week and Friday's post never happened. 

Rest assured, we will still wield our swords as we learn His Word. We will still continue to make time to learn and store within us the treasure of His truth.

Here's my Godsword from Memory:

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat of it's fruit. Proverbs 18:21

Since you have had almost a whole extra week to learn this one, I am expecting lots of comments over the next few days as you recite your verse. Remember if there is something you have memorized instead, let us know. All that matters is that we are learning God's Word.

I have a question for you -

How many times have you fallen for this lie?  I don't have time.

I can't begin to tell you the number of times I have fallen for that lie, and God reminded me again how easy it is to fall for it as I read a book by Pastor Craig Groeschel entitled WEIRD: Because Normal Isn't Working.   

Is "normal" working for you?  'Cause it sure ain't working for me, which is why the title interested me.

I have wasted so much time and energy trying to be "normal" and blend in with everyone else over the years - for what?  "Normal" is not all it's cracked up to be. 

Weird is ok.  John the Baptist was weird.  Jesus was weird.  I'm ok with weird.

I began reading this book in my car on the way to our vacation destination, and had to close it and put it away just a few pages into it.  I told Todd that I could not read anymore of this book and he looked at me like I had lost it or something.  I had to explain that I could not read any further until I was still and had a highlighter.  There was too much to apply and I didn't want to miss anything.  So, as we arrived to the beloved sand and shore of Destin, Florida, I plopped into my beach chair, highlighter in hand, and started all over. 

The first chapter was about time, and in fact, was entitled "Killing Time" and early in the chapter the author pointed out a truth that counters the "I don't have time" lie.  That truth is this:

You have enough time to do everything God wants you to do.

And guess what scripture he used to back that up?  One of our Godswords - 2 Peter 1:3  For His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.

It was one of those moments where I just knew that everyone else one on the beach was aware that He was talking directly to me.  I had to look around to be sure there wasn't a neon sign above my chair that said:

CAUTION:
SLOW LEARNER

LESSON IN PROGRESS......
.......AGAIN.

The author said we don't need more time, we need to use the time we have differently.  We have time for what we choose to invest our time in.   We find time for what is important to us. 

Then, he issued a challenge, and I want to pass that same challenge on to you.

Catch yourself the next time you're about to say, "I don't have time" for something.  Tell yourself the truth:  either it's not a priority and you're guarding your time for some good reason, or you simply aren't willing to choose to spend your time on it.

We do it all the time.  I didn't have time to go to church.  I didn't get up in time for Sunday School.  I don't have time to read my Bible.  I don't have time to call and check on my friend.  I don't have time to have an uninterrupted conversation with my husband.......

And on and on and on....

When in reality, we had time to go to the movies, we had time to shop at the mall, we had time to play a few softball games, we had time to take a Sunday afternoon nap, we had time to catch up on everybody on Facebook, we had time to lean in for that juiciest bit of gossip, we had time to go to a couple of birthday parties - all things that normal people do.......  Are these things really that important to us?  Are they really that important to me?

I know you all know this, but let me remind you of this simple concept.  There has never been a time where I have turned off the television to spend time in His Word or in prayer that I have regretted it.  As painful as this is for me to say, because I love my sleep, there has never been a time when I have gotten up a few minutes early to spend time with God where I have wished I had stayed in bed longer.

I have to be more intentional about how I spend my time.  Truthfully, it's not my time anyway, it's God's time.  He's just letting me use it.  We don't have all the time in the world, but we have just enough time to accomplish what God wants us to.

God, you give me the gift of 24 hours seven times a week and I shudder to think how little of it is spent honoring You.  Lord, I ask you for wisdom in discerning how best to spend the time you give me each day.  I truly want to walk in step with you, but sometimes my flesh is weak.  God renew a spirit of intentionality within my heart today and sharpen my spiritual ears for the "I don't have time" lie and help me to fight back with the truth of 2 Peter 1:3. 

Royal Princess Daughter Of The King

Son of God, Son of man

Son of God, Son of man

Six words crafted amidst others tucked in the lyrics of a song.  Those six words ended up in the hands of God as He pushed them into another layer of my heart, pressing their meaning deeper within me than they have ever been.  In fact, He used them to give me goosebumps from the inside out as I pondered the meaning of them. 

The longer I thought, the more in awe I was.

The longer I thought, the more grateful I was.

The longer I thought, the more I could begin to understand His deep connection with us.  I hope this reminds you just how much He loves you, just how much He's connected to you.

Us - just people.

Him - all God.

Jesus was God's Son. God in the flesh, Jesus - born into this world physically by Mary, a mere human. 

Son of God, Son of man.

Child of God, Child of man.

Do you get that?  He is fully God's Son, while the human race was able to call Him their own as well.

There is no connection that I have with anyone on this earth like the connection Todd and I share as parents.  Sharing a child together connects two people forever in a way that is hard to describe. 

He shared a Child with US - the human race.  He surely grieved with Mary, knew sorrow for John, felt the broken heart of Mary Magdalene as His Son, the Son He had bore into the human race, hung upon that tree - suffering.

Suffering unto death.

He shared the Life of His Son with us, connecting with us deeply and then shared the death of His Son  with us, offering a connection with us that lasts forever...........

Because the Spirit of that Son lives on.........

In you.

No wonder He feels so deeply about us.

No wonder that love can never change.

He's connected to us.

For eternity.

Now - take that thought and love Him back. 

Deeply.

Reconnect with Him.

Look into His eyes and rejoice with Him as you recount how wonderful His Son - the Son of Man was, is, and is to come.




Royal Princess Daughter Of The King

Who But God?

Have you no respect for me?

Why don’t you tremble in my presence?

I, the Lord, define the ocean’s sandy shoreline

as an everlasting boundary that the waters cannot cross.

The waves may toss and roar,

but they can never pass the boundaries I set.

Jeremiah 5:22

Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down?

Who holds the wind in his fists?

Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak?

Who has created the whole wide world?

What is his name—and his son’s name?

Tell me if you know!

Proverbs 30:4

Royal Princess Daughter Of The King

Double Portion

Elijah and Elisha were pretty tight. They had that bond between two believers that is indescribable.

Have you ever known that kind of kinship?

A 5 Minute Sabbath

It's Monday, and I know Monday's are difficult. Monday jerks us back to the reality of the demands upon our lives,leaving us with whiplash. Tension seems to automatically mount when the alarm goes off on Monday morning.

I completely understand.

A Spiritual Lesson From High School Science Class

I found myself in God’s classroom as I prayed for someone earlier this week. He taught me something about a principle so common in our Christian lingo.

Other than the obvious, what’s the difference in a cake and a cupcake?

Warrior Princess Wednesday and Some Not So Tasty Fruit!

Happy Wednesday, my friends! Do you have this week's verse memorized yet?

Here's a hint - come in real close so no one else can hear... OK. This week's verse has to do with something we don't like to talk about.....- sin.

Dainty Morsels

Mmmmm...

Morsels.....

Dainty Morsels....

Are you envisioning them with me yet?

The Smell of Dirt

I love the smell of dirt.

I do.

I know it's not exactly the most lady-like thing, but I can't help it.

It smells good to me.

Re-mind My Thinking

Yesterday we talked about traveling down a street named Pain. If you missed yesterday's post, we can bring you up to speed right here.  Take a few minutes to read that post and meet us back here as we go a little deeper with this painful subject.