Resolve

The words “My people will be destroyed by the lack of knowledge” – Hosea 4:6 has been carved onto my heart and mind this week. Seems it follows me everywhere. God is definitely up to something with it all. It was poured into my spirit several weeks ago as I listened to a beautiful servant of the LORD bring a message about walking in the knowledge of the LORD. The LORD planted it there for a season and day by day, layer by layer, God is revealing and pulling the layers back so that I may really see. That is – really see with the eyes that He meant for me to look through. I have experienced life in such a way – that has been living proof that a life without God and His Word, I am nothing. Without His Word and voice, I have no hope and direction. Without Him – my life would be placed in the line of destruction – over and over.

Thinking about the whole big picture of it all, I find myself wondering how our society could ever end up in such a desolate place. It saddens me to think about what has actually replaced God – i-pods, video games, Godless entertainment, and self worship. Quite frankly – you can choose most any current show on satellite and/or cable and you will quickly realize there is rarely a filter used for what comes out of Hollywood onto the big picture screen. Many times, it has the appearance of something lovely and very unsuspecting. Once I heard a wonderful Christian comedian say “sweet child, some things were just not supposed to be allowed into your sweet little mind.” This is when this verse began surfacing into my life. As I began to search through the Word, I read how Moses had warned and Hosea had discovered that prosperity caused God’s own people to forget Him. Thus, I believe our current situation reflects a nation struggling due to her idol worship. The main idol I believe that has taken center stage is self.

Considering all of this, I read "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9 Whew, now that we have that ugly monster out on the table – we can take a closer look at it. Better to deal with it than push it down. It only grows when left unattended. The beauty of it is – no need to worry, there is hope and an answer that God plainly gives us out of Matthew 13:15 “For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.” In my own life, I recognize and I am convicted of the busyness that engulfs this generation. Sometimes it is a quick remedy to soothe our achy, needy souls with the bright colors and flashy costumes on tv – turn it on an instantly we are removed from any hassles or worries. There is a statement that I hear on occasion from a people that appear to be desperate. It goes something like this: “follow your heart.” Seems truly innocent enough doesn’t it? To be totally honest with you - my heart and mind would really like to know how many marriages this seemingly innocent statement has destroyed through the years. This goes back to my original statement of Hosea 4:6 – I would really like to challenge you if you are reading these words -- instead of getting our directions and instructions from Godless television programs or a secular magazine, I encourage you to plant God’s Word into your hearts and minds. Psalm 119:11 reminds me that we must purposely hide God’s Word in our hearts so that we might not sin against Him. We have to come to a place in our lives where we must live on purpose. God has not called us to live idle and just allow the Godlessness of our nations to steer our thoughts and our every decision. Not only do we have to lead our heart, but we have to guard it above all else.

I found a beautiful Scripture this morning out of my quiet time. It is a wonderful treasure tucked into the Old Testament. Put on your work clothes, pull out your gloves, and find your shovel – now dig deep into the soil of your heart and soul. I pray that you will find encouragement as you plant Psalm 25 into your very core -- if you resolve to live on purpose. You may personalize this Psalm as a prayer over your own life.

Psalm 25

Of David.

1 In you, LORD my God,
I put my trust.
2 I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.

4 Show me your ways, LORD,
teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

6 Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, LORD, are good.
8 Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

9 He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.

11 For the sake of your name, LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
12 Who, then, are those who fear the LORD?
He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.[b]
13 They will spend their days in prosperity,
and their descendants will inherit the land.

14 The LORD confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are ever on the LORD,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 Relieve the troubles of my heart
and free me from my anguish.
18 Look on my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.

19 See how numerous are my enemies
and how fiercely they hate me!
20 Guard my life and rescue me;
do not let me be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope, LORD,[c] is in you.

22 Deliver Israel, O God,
from all their troubles!

A Ministry Through Hymns

Ever since I can remember, my mother always sang and played the piano. The music in which she played and sang was those beautiful, melodic sounding – but rich in theology hymns.  I guess this is why I love piano music implicitly to this day. Music was her ministry and I never even realized she had a ministry. She never carried her Bible around, she never began a conversation about God and her beliefs, and I never once heard her argue with someone about his/her belief system. However, she always sang hymns – almost everyday. To this day, I find myself humming something that she would sing to me.  I have read in the Bible that “out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34.  For me I find this to be very true. I think about the ministry in which she governed and how I once thought so critically of her because she never taught me the Word of God in the way I desired it and at times I have even gone so far as to blame some of my past failures and mistakes on her for not bringing me up in the way in which I should go. The difference between my mother and me is that she grew up in a very different era.  She grew up during a time where lavish things weren’t as plentiful as it is this day. In essence, she wasn’t confused and bombarded with all the excess this society has to offer. I believe it would be appropriate to consider – she was a basic woman that tended to only the things that really mattered – her soul – with the music in which she invested in, her    ministry – by singing and playing hymns to whomever would listen, and her family by cooking and preparing foods for them on Sunday so they wouldn’t have to – she really was a servant. Christ said so Himself that we have come to serve but not to be served.  Which reminds me of another verse - Matthew 5:16 says that we are to let our light shine before men, this made me wonder how many times my light has been snuffed out because of something that I was going through and how I allowed it to consume me and didn’t really allow God to carry the weight of the burden. Besides, wouldn’t it be considered prideful to allow my light to be snuffed out?  If my light should shine before all men, wouldn’t that be considered real faith - that I would show others how God Himself has loved me enough -- to handle everything that has a way of consuming me? I think back through the years of how quiet Mother was at times and I realize the severity of the issues in which she suffered.  I have also come to realize that she had learned some scripture through the years and she was demonstrating it – rather than speaking so loudly all the time.  Proverbs 31:30 – Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.  I think back over all the times that Mother ministered to me through song and music – and I realize how much God was drawing me to Him.  To this day – He continues to do the same.  Through His perfect love for me, He gave me such an incredible daughter that is humble and beautiful and doesn’t even know what pride looks like. For a few years now – ever since she could walk, she has been bringing me rocks. Needless to say, I have kept every single one of them, because they were all gifts from her to me.  I had a friend to say one day “it will certainly be interesting to see what God does with those rocks in her life.”  At the time I didn’t realize that He wanted to pronounce His love for me in such a way that I could understand as well as touch. This week God has placed a beautiful hymn in my spirit that I have been singing and it just so happens to be one of my mothers’ favorite hymns.  On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, all other grounds are sinking sand. All that time – she sang to me and played the piano and ministered to me in such a way that she could not even begin to articulate. All that time, God pursued me through her.  To this day, He continues to court me by sending me these remarkable rock gifts from my daughter – each time saying “I Love You.”  By this I am truly reminded that Christ is the solid Rock upon which I stand and all other grounds are sinking sand.  Although my mother is no longer with us, she still ministers to my heart through song and music. Thank you LORD for my mothers’ ministry of music, all those years I never even realized what true ministry was all about – serving and not being served. LORD I thank you for ministering through others that are willing vessels.

Lives of Integrity

She spoke quietly, calmly, and meekly about integrity. I was already thirsty. Living a life of integrity that is. The speaker was someone that I know. Trust. Admire and respect. Already love. From the moment I heard her speak, her content pricked something inside me. Roused my interest. Challenged me. Tall mountain I thought. The voice of the Spirit whispers . . . but remember – my Word says “I (Alisa) can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 . . . Yes, I can. But – the voice of the enemy says – ha – but in this day – it is tough! Yes, yes it is. However, the Word of God speaks into my heart and says – “With God -- ALL things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 Oh yes - yes it does. All things LORD – I can do this!! Yes, yes I can. May your will be done on earth LORD as it is in Heaven.

Then – yet another hill I looked upon. She spoke about knowledge. The lack of. How the lack of knowledge can be a destroyer, a killer. Again, the truth speaks into my now “my people are destroyed by the lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6 Makes me want to memorize the whole Word of God so that I am ready. Yes, this is what I need. Truth is – we are in a battle. Again – if you didn’t know this already, maybe you haven’t had the time to read it yet. The Word of God is knowledge. When it is not known, lives are destroyed. Families suffer. Children are led astray. And marriages are battered and torn and worn until they are broken and weary. Churches are split and destroyed. People become hard in their hearts until the love and peace of Christ is just not found. Then the battle is lost by the ones who began and is won by the one who is the ultimate loser in the end.

Guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 – the spirit speaks to me – for you are in a battle and the enemy of your soul desires to have what is good. Do not lose heart my friend, though outward we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. II Corinthians 4:16

Waiting To Hear

I will stand on my guard post and station myself on the rampart; And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me.  Habakkuk 2:1

Habakkuk - I can really relate with.  Although his name is nothing like mine, I can really relate with the condition of his heart.  You see - he really needed to hear from God.  So do I.  He really wanted things to be different than they already were.  Me too.  He had some questions - how long LORD?  And why?  Me too LORD.  Sometimes it may seem as though God isn't doing anything.  Especially when we think we could have already done so in half the time.  The thing is, I have learned that I need to wait patiently. This is hard. I also need to expect God to speak and move in my life.  Especially when it looks like He isn't anywhere around.   

When Monday arrives, I usually feel like I have just ran a marathon. Literally.  Although this really, really is a huge goal of mine to run in a race again - I realize running is not actually what I am talking about.  Just to shed some light and in case you didn't already know - it really is close to impossible to jam pack the life of a family into three days when one has been away providing for his family all week. This is what we are up against each weekend as the man comes home and we attempt to function as though we really have been together all week long. There is laundry, cleaning his truck, grocery shopping for necessary supplies for the following week and oh, did I mention the newest and the latest curve ball?  Sugar.  I am not talking about the delightful, wonderful kind that is to be enjoyed. No, I am talking the flip side.  Diabetes.  This was handed to us a week ago.  As if life wasn't already hectic and demanding, so now on top of all the above - we are going to factor in time for reading EVERY SINGLE LABEL of any product that each of us might consume.  Not to mention - search out better food for each of us.  If it targets one - in this case, it is the man's, so - then we all take part of.  That is what families do for one another in support. Especially when we all could use the benefit of eating and living a healthier life style.   

So, the real truth is - as you can imagine with all of this going on - there have been many disappointments, failures, struggles, set-backs, temper flares, and more ugliness from this world that we just have to not only deal with - but manage.  Sometimes, it all seems to be just too much. Entirely. Usually, this is when it hits.  You know, the ugly self talk.  Go ahead, give up.  You know you want to - kind of thing.  Then the spirit lowers . . . Right about now - if you have ever stood at this location, you are standing at a crossroad. Did you ever consider?  Well, for the record - one is a path of total destruction and the other is a path of truth and hope.  Really?  This weekend - there were some crossroads.

At this particular crossroad, I wanted to just unveil what I was thinking. Not to mention, my favorite past time - just throw in the towel for cryin out loud!!  This obviously is the flesh talking.  I thought - uggggghhhh!!! Take this and take that.  Then, the truth began resounding not only in my heart and mind, but deep down in my soul.  "Pray" for what you lack.  Come on baby girl, pray for it.  Talk to me, I am here for you.  I am with you wherever you go.  Instantly - I snap back to my senses. Picking up my shield of faith - I boldly stand and look up.  I feel the mercy coming down on me like a gentle rain that has just been released from heaven.  I pray, fervently, with full BELIEF.  LORD.  GIVE me peace, change my heart, change my situation - it looks hopeless.  Hear my prayer.  Have mercy upon me.  From a distance, it is almost as though I heard the hush of peace coming into this moment. This situation. Finally, for what seemed forever, it was then that I saw HIS hand move in my life.  I saw . . . HOPE.  The entire mood changed.  All of a sudden, there was peace when there was none.  There was HOPE when there was none.  There was direction when it seemed like a dead end.  There was life yet again in this stressed out family.  There was strength and courage from the One who loves me and wants the very best for me.  HE is my LORD and Saviour, whom I love more than anything. HE is my HOPE, my ROCK, my SHIELD, my COMFORT, my PEACE.  HE is the Alpha and the Omega.  The Beginning and The End.  He is the One that provides me with my every breath, my every step. Truth showed up when I looked up and prayed.  I began to hear, there is nothing that can seperate you from me baby girl.  Nothing or no one.  Not a situation you are in - not someone's opinion of you.  Not even your past can seperate us.  Now, please do not misunderstand.  This is not a ticket to live like whatever goes.  It is truth from God's Word in Romans 8:38-39  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

While standing at the crossroad, I realized another valuable lesson.  This is why scripture memorization is so important to keeping me away from sin. The WORD says "I have hidden your Word in my heart - so that I might not sin against you."  Psalm 119:11 His WORD is His voice and it speaks to me in my now - whether I am about to turn left or turn right.  His WORD, His voice is what sustains me.  It keeps me from the path of destruction.

While considering paths, I was looking at this picture of some land that has been in my family for many years.  I noticed - there are two distinctive paths.  One is by far healthy, vibrant, and lush.  The other is simply dry, rough, and tough. I thought about this when choosing paths. With prayer on bended knee and an attitude of dieing to "self" - God's promises have a way of coming to life. The dead is suddenly resurrected.  However, consequences to bowing to the flesh - it always has a downfall.

Sometimes we all find ourselves at a crossroad. From this perspective, looks clear.  With God, He will always make your path clear.  This comes from leaning on Him and trusting Him with everything you have inside of you.

From this perspective, it doesn't look as though there really is a choice.  Just a storm brewing and it looks as though everything is about to change drastically - in the worst kind of way. 

From this standpoint - it looks as though a storm is coming, but there really is a choice. Sometimes it is when we choose to stay on God's path - that is when our paths are made straight. Sometimes it may not be easy and sometimes it looks really scary, but there are blessings when we follow His path instead of our own. Not to mention - He is the Everlasting and how can anything possibly stand in your way when He is with you?

Taking a deep breath, looking up - I realize this was a huge fight in the heavenlies for my very own family.  Friend, if only you and I could see beyond the veil. You know, the curtain that keeps us from seeing what really is going on between God and Satan for our very lives. Our families. Looking back at the crossroad, almost willing to admit - a limping - yes I am tired with some battle fatigue; however, I am so very relieved and thankful that again I chose to not give Satan the victory of winning. It was after I chose to bend my knee in my pride and pray for God to help and intervene - this is when I saw God really was speaking into my life.  PRAY for what you LACK. I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS. Nothing . . . or no one will seperate you from me. Thank you LORD Jesus for loving me and for always being with me.  No matter how big the mountain - you are here with me.

So, you are probably thinking - well God didn't really answer the specific questions - that mirrored the same of Habbakuk - the "why" or "how long" - but the truth is - He did speak. He spoke into my now. My current situation - He gave me strength when I was weak.  He breathed life into a hopeless situation.

*PRAY for what you lack
*Nothing or no one can seperate you from me 

*I am with you always

Praise you Father!  I am yours.  

And last but not least  . . . from my one thousand gifts list . . .

16. Happy, smiling faces that continue to reflect God's love for me

17. Hugs out of nowhere from a gigglying mini me

18. Strength that comes from prayer

19. When I am weak - HE IS STRONG

20.  Seasons

May you receive glory and honor LORD Jesus, I praise you!  For you are worthy.

  

1000 Gifts

God never ceases to amaze me on this path of life.  Somehow or another, He will place exactly what I need in my path - for a particular season.  Except, somehow this gift is going to be a life change - not only for a season, but for the rest of my life. Certain. Without a doubt.  Completely.  Sure. 

While looking through the aisles of Lifeway over the weekend, I was particularly drawn to a book by Ann Voskamp.  I had seen it here http://notesfromthesoul.blogspot.com/2011/03/one-thousand-gifts-4.html  a while back.  Sometimes I tend to "mull" over something long before I actually partake of it.   So there!  I had made a mental note to get the book . . . eventually.  When time permitted. Well, sometimes -- this is what I seem to lack the most.  Time. So, I'm walking through the store and still very drawn to this book. I am ever so grateful for this step - thank you LORD Jesus for always directing my path.  This book has already changed my life. Ann, you are amazing.  Pure.  I want a heart like this. Pure and pleasing to you LORD Jesus. Hear my prayer O LORD.

So, where do I start?  There are so many gifts  . . . 

1.  The forgiveness, grace, and salvation that was given to me by the LORD Jesus.

    Shamelessly He continued to woo me everytime I ran away. Just like Jonah!

2.  Life

3.  My husband that challenges me to be better than I ever dreamed of - that supports me always

4.  My greatest gift of love and grace - my daughter - Alexis

5.  Family - on both sides of the fence . . . his and mine

6.  Benji/Shizzler - our dog that has had way too many name changes

7.  Pen and paper

8.  Books

9.  Computers

10. Glasses

11. God Moments

12. My Daddy's tomatoes

13. Happy painters

14. Loving bakers :0)

15. Unforgettable moments

16. Expecting births :0)

Sometimes God thrills me with His timing and where He decides to display His love . . . in the middle of Pineville, North Carolina - beside a busy Highway! 

This is from a wonderful farmer - my Daddy

My little painter!

Baked with love . . .

My first baby girl . . . Memi - my niece.

By the looks of our "eye lock" - I don't think wild horses could have came between us . . . so love her!!!

And us today . . . boy it's really hard standing beside her!

What are some of your gifts? The real joy of the gifts, is being able to "see" the gifts . . . Praise you LORD. I am listening . . .  

Strength

As the sun rose this morning and my eyes whined while opening - I resisted while trying to get up. Afterall, I was really tired just from doing life. This was one of those moments my flesh cries out "sleep in!!! you could really use it!!" Afterall, I have competed with all the action heroes -- for this week alone - I have cleaned house, bathed the dog, been the mommy doctor, acted as the wife and supporter/helper with the man, rolled the garbage down, transferred items from one truck to another with my man, washed my vehicle, all while still working a full time job. Arrrrgggghhhh . . . right?! Hmmm..., in a distance I hear some "self worship" knocking at my door!

Sometimes I try way too hard to do everything and then some more. I began my morning with thinking that I really should rush on in and get ready for work so that I could get there for an early start. There was something tugging at my heart. Strongly. I felt my spirit whisper "your strength is going to come for this day after you spend your time in my presence." For a moment I thought that I could give into the rat race of this world and rush on in and not finish with strength. Or, I could choose to have victory over this day and spend time in His presence. When Jesus and His disciples were spent from ministering to the crowds, Jesus told them - "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6:31 My friend, there is a lesson that will teach from this example of what would Jesus do. When Jesus was tired and drained from the toil and strain this world had to offer, He rose early and spent time with His Heavenly Father and He prayed. Before any decisions are made, before any arguments are started, before any fires become uncontrollable, I chose to spend time with the LORD Jesus and find direction for my life. Each time I turn around and "notice" sin crouching at my door, I pray - LORD, give me strength to not entertain the ways of this world. Gossipping, fighting for number 1 slot in the workplace, replying sarcastically to the ones I love, and the one that gets me everytime - winning the "I'm right and you are wrong" contest! LORD, SHOW ME what you would do at every twist and turn and please keep your Holy hand over my mouth!

Spending time in HIS presence has a way of covering those who have participated. It resonates in our souls and spirits during the day when conflicts arise, when we stand at a crossroad - a crossroad of decisions. Do I die to flesh as Jesus did? Or do I give in and feed it?

O LORD, cover me in my heart, my thoughts, my actions - may my everything be pleasing in your sight. Oh what I would give to hear an Amen!

Pilgrimage

I've been thinking so much lately about trips. All kinds. Big kinds and even little kinds. Sometimes, it is just incredible to leave and get away. One thing is for sure, we are on a pilgrimage - a journey to a Holy place. A few weeks ago, I began Believing God. Again. The first time I "went there" was about six years ago. I pulled my older workbook out and read through some pages. I thought "wow" my eyes have certainly opened since I read and worked through some of these things. I find it so amazing to look back think how sometimes it feels as though we journey around and around that "same" mountain and when we look back - the distance between the two mountains is breathtaking. Majestic even. I had this same thought as I was plunging thru those beautiful mountains this week. Looking up, I was thinking about the ONE who placed them where they stand today. Quite humbling actually - what a thought.

Traveling back Monday from TN - I was driving through those winding mountains. With each twist and turn, I had to "stay focused" on what I was actually doing. Had I not - we could have crashed into the side of the mountain. Sometimes that is exactly how our journey is with God. Daily, we have to hold our shield of faith up high and strong - and purposely not drop it. Hold on and pray for what you don't have. It will come. When you feel insecure and like you "don't" have it "all" together, remember what Joshua holds. Joshua 1:9 reminds us to "be strong and courageous." Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Stay strong my friend and learn to listen to truth. God's WORD is truth. Read it and plant it in your heart and a mighty harvest is sure to follow.

Looking back, this is a picture of us taken in December 1999. Wow, when I look back and I think we are still the same - I realize how much we really have changed. Thank you LORD for covering us - wherever we go! Our lives are living proof that you are still covering us. Thank you. I am forever yours and eternally grateful.

Below is a more current picture - more weight and all. For the things we have been through over the last two years, it has certainly taken it's toll. And yes, we have some work to do. In many, many ways - but most importantly, following hard and close behind the ONE who loves us - no matter what! PRAISE you Jesus!