The Day In-Between

Yesterday was Good Friday.  The day Jesus was sent to the cross to die then laid in a tomb.

Tomorrow is Easter. The day Jesus came back.

Today is the day in-between.  The Sabbath. The day of rest.

Was is really restful for the diciples that were closest to Jesus?  A lot had just transpired in a day. Their world had went from miraculuous to miserable.

They had spent the last few years learning from this Jesus - the Christ - who could heal the sick, make the lame walk, restore eyesight, make the winds and waves peaceful again, cast out demons to restore sanity, feed thousands with one person's lunch, and treat everyone with respect while teaching them what God really meant in the scriptures.  He challenged their views, challenged their intentions, and challenged them all to be God's children not just law livers.  Jesus, - Emmanuel, God With Us - had shared what God was like as a Father not just the Creator of the Universe and Law to live by.

He gave them Hope.  And now He was gone.

Reading the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), I only know they "rested" on the Sabbath.  The action starts again on the next day at the empty tomb.  The thing that irritates me often about the Bible is its lack of emotional filler in times like these.  I want to know what the conversations were like: were they yelling at each other in desperation? Did they say any words at all?  Were they so exhausted they truly rested because they just slept it off? What about the women? Did they accuse the men in the room for not stepping in to save Jesus?  Did Simon Peter remind them of everything Jesus taught them while confessing he had denied knowing Jesus before the rooster crowed?  Did they all go silent when all they could do was watch from afar?

Did it feel like they were sitting in that room waiting for death like their ancestors during the first Passover night those centuries ago in Egypt? Paralyzed with fear and barely breathing? Or were they singing hymns?  DId they praise God on the day of Sabbath as they always did?  Were they angry at God?  Did their prayers change?

Did they still have hope?

It's different for us now.  We know the history. We know that "Sunday's Coming."  This day of in-between is a day of rest for most.  But days of rest in our time doesn't mean the same as it did then.  Do we take this time to really think how that day of in-between relates to us now?

Have you ever been in a situation where all hope seemed gone until in an unexpected moment in an unexpected way everything just changed for the better?

This day of rest, the -in-between, is just as important to the story of Easter as Jesus' death and ressurection. It's a day of choice for us.  Is our faith existent and active to wait on Him? Do you wait in childlike antcipation (like waiting for a trip to Disney), or do you wait in quiet desperation hoping that it all ends.  Do you choose to believe Jesus is who He said, or do you block all belief in a Messiah?

Going through all I have so far in my life, I know for certain the waiting with anticipation is a much better way than desperation.

Final note:  If you have never had a chance to be introduced to, or really get to know Jesus, I would be honored to be that connector for you.

Egypt Is My Poverty

My biggest client and I decided to part ways this month.  A year early.  Which means, slight financial panic mode about to be engaged.  I'm nervous,  but not terrified.  The strange thing is, I get this feeling that I should just keep moving forward as normal.  Focused on my business and growing it this year.  And just stay calm.

I stayed calm on New Year's Eve when my car had a flat tire in Cedar Key, Florida.  One gas station.  New Year's Eve.  And the plan was to drive to Jacksonville on the other side of Florida to watch the sunrise on New Year's Day.  Flat tire on the opposite coast...but I stayed calm and a solution presented itself in the form of a couple riding their golf cart past the gas station.  Sonny quickly found the hole, the station had A plug kit, he patched the hole, filled the tire with air, and I was good-to-go all while I chatted with his wife, Amanda, about which beach I should visit in their home town of Jacksonville...

One adversity-filled moment. Calm peace. Quick solution appeared.

I remember a time when I could feel this calm in the midst of adversity-filled moments.  2009 I lost a decent corporate job (it was the fashionable thing to do from 2008-2010).  I cashed out.  I recreated myself. I started a business and began a whole new string of adversity-filled moments related to business.  But in those days, my habit was to go to the kitchen table, watch the sunrise, and read the Bible till I got something out of it.  Meaning. A Message.  Something. And it was always a positive feeling.  The calm.

So tonight after figuring the money isn't going to be there if I don't do something big and soon, I decided to read the Bible until I got something out of it.  I didn't know where to begin.  "At the beginning," I hear in my mind (some would say spirit here).  So, I open up to Genesis and notice I already have a pencil toward the beginning of the book.  I flip to the pencil at Exodus 13:21 where I highlighted: 

"And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night..."

I keep reading how God positioned the people of Israel by the sea away from Egypt.  God also hardened Pharaoh's heart to be instigated to chase after them.  The pillar of cloud was between them.  The Israelites of course were in panic. It seemed to be the end. Nowhere to go. No options. Everything lost. They cry to Moses. Moses replies (Exodus 14:13),

"Do not be afraid.  Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today.  For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever."

Then it hit me.  Egypt is my poverty.  Or at least fear of poverty.  I've been in this financial crazy situation before of not having enough coming in to take care of basics, thus living in other people's spaces and relying on faith and kindness of others to help me through.  Which is its own learning and character development.  But this time is different for me.  The FEAR isn't there about my current situation.  And honestly, looking at it from outside it may look like I'm backed up to the sea with no options.  But wait...

Moses finishes his words to Israel, "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."

That was it!  I just needed to stay at peace, God's got this.  And I remembered this picture I took of a bird sleeping on a branch beside a waterfall.  Seemed to fit the moment.

Of course the story with Moses plays out with God parting the sea, the Israelites crossing, Eqypt pursuing, God closing the waters, the Egyptians drown, and Israel goes on to new adventures. 

I hope I can stay away from "wilderness moments" while God is working His plan for me.  Stay aligned, at peace, and move forward when the time is right.  And ultimately, it will all work out better than I could have imagined.  No more Egypt for me (until I visit the Sphinx someday).

A REAL Relationship

     So many pastors and preachers teach through great sermons every week.  This morning's teaching is no exception from my pastor, Michael.  He's been doing a series on being "Remade" through Christ.  Total TRUTH in that.  And part of the calling for any pastor is to talk about the gospel of Christ - and how to believe, how to accept Him, and how to live out the life we're all called to - and what separates us from God is sin apart from Jesus.  Makes sense, sin is not holy and God does not allow anything unclean in His presence.  Jesus, however, ate with sinners.  He touched them.  He loved them.  He died for them. He remade them.

     I wanted to share how this relationship with Jesus is REAL for me.  We shared at a recent Work-Life Networking lunch about how some look at God like a father figure.  That didn't work for me simply because my earth-bound father relationship was non-existent.  And for me to accept that God was real in my life, I couldn't allow myself to fall in the trap of seeing Him in my realm.  Enter in Jesus.  Big brother Jesus.  The one who adopted me into the family - regardless of ME - my sin and all - I am in the family.  So, even sin no longer separates me from God.  Let me share.

     Jesus adopted me in the family.  NOTHING can separate me from God's love (Romans 8:38-39).  I can come before Him with confidence knowing He will show me grace, not condemnation (Hebrews 4:16, Romans 8:1).  He uses even my own rebellious sin for good (Romans 8:28).  Now, the apostle Paul writes to the Romans about grace and asks the question, "Should we go on sinning?"  Knowing that God forgives, God loves, God works it ALL out for good.  Well, to be a recognizable follower of Jesus - we should choose what is good...to not sin...and pray for help from the Holy Spirit to see that through.  But what happens when we DO sin?  We all fall short.  Everyday.  Do you give up?  Throw blame on circumstances or people?

     For me...that's when I go back to that foundation of Jesus' love, acceptance, and grace for me.  I may not immediately stop the sin that is causing grief and guilt.  But He still loves me, because He just does.  And when I confront that sin, confidently before the throne of grace, I feel like the image in this post - arms wrapped around me in a love so big it's indescribable.  And I am truly alive, living out a REAL relationship with the God of the Universe who created me for a purpose, a Big Brother who has saved me and brought me into a HUGE eternal family, and the Holy Spirit who breathes new life into me daily. I can come to Him for ANYTHING - good or bad, big deals or small frustrations, attitude issues, joyful dances, hurts and hopes, my desires or devastations - He's always there for me.  He listens, He guides, He saves my sanity and my heart. If you don't have a relationship like that, I'd be happy to share!

"You've Got Mail"

What is it with the anticipation of getting that next message from someone you like? 

Remember that movie, "You've Got Mail?"  This movie's theme is a classic.  Two people in love through the written word - email in this movie, letters in the Judy Garland classic, "In The Good Old Summertime."  Turns out for each of these, the two people actually disklike each other in person. One finds out the other is their secret message "love," ditches the face-to-face, and then proceeds to change the perception of the real-life relationship.  Sweet stuff. 

What intrigues me most is the joy in the anticipation of getting that next message.  I don't have the pleasure of one of those movie experiences, but I do enjoy anticipating a next message.  Here's something more to think about though...what if I had that much joyous anticipation in what God had to tell me?  What's HIS next message to me?   " <3 U no matter what, Conquered 4 u, Providing 4 U, Keep Going! Right w/U"  What's His next message to you?

Don't Just Count The Blessings, Enjoy Them!

I've been in a funk the past couple of weeks.  Ever been there?  Just not feeling like yourself, feels like there's a cloud hanging over everything?  I even had an anxiety attack, thought I was going to pass out at the greenhouse. In a flash I thought, " This is perfect, at least the flowers aer ready for my casket."  It was that bad in that moment.  Ever been there?
All I could do from there was rest and really try to not think.  This morning I reviewed my journal entry from last week and remembered something I learned about that morning.  It comes from this obscure little section in Luke 11 about a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace but loses everything to one stronger. Which would make sense the other one is stronger, duh. But there's also this phrase, "...he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides the spoils."  The strong guy trusted in his armor (and not the armor of God kind). 

Fine, but then Jesus goes right into teaching about a man who had an unclean spirit.  The unclean spirit left the man.  The man tidied up, put everything in order. But then the unclean spirit comes back with seven others!  What's up with that?!  Didn't the guy think to lock the door, or did he have a welcome-vacancy sign hanging out?

This morning I learned more about that.  It's like cleaning the house. Everything gets put in its place, all neat and tidy. The dust is gone, clothes & dishes put away, space is created, all is well.  But then that also leave space to fill, so we fill it with more knick-knacks to dust, more papers to file, more junk we don't need.  Or even better, just buying a bigger house to fit all our stuff in.  There's more floor space, so why not fill it with furniture!  The big question here is, "What am I filling my space with?"  Well, the Sunday School answer is it should be Jesus.  But what in the world does that look like?

I've been given such an amazing opportunity of space the past couple years to really evaluate who I am.  I know whose I am, I know what I'm purposed to do, now...who am I beyond the foundation of being a child of God?  What am I filling my space with? 

I chatted with a friend this weekend about my funk.  What I took away from our conversation was to not just count my blessings, but enjoy them.  Me being the list making kind of person, I started a list of all the things I enjoy.  I filled a couple of pages in a short time. I learned something from that too, but that's another post for another day.  But if I make Jesus my focal point in my space, and fill the rest with things I enjoy - isn't that living life to an abundant level? To overflowing! Then I'm helping others live life abundantly too!

So I encourage you dear reader, fill your space with good and perfect gifts from above and your heart will overflow with joy!  Don't just count your blessings - enjoy them!

When Your Hut Is Burning...

I received this in an email today and just HAD to share it. My hut's on fire right now and this little illustration is just what I needed!

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?'

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.

The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering.

Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. ((It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God!))

P.S. You may want to consider passing this on, because you never know who feels as if their hut is on fire today..

Patient Endurance

When I went out to do my morning devotional on the swing, I looked up and saw I had a visitor.

I thought of how this little guy must have taken an hour or two at least to get that high on the swing - my head high. It reminded me that it's ok to take my time. That making those moments in the morning so special since it's just me and God and nature.

Then I started reading - in Revelation. Yeah, I know. But it's an awesome book. In Chapter 3 vs 10 it says, "Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from teh hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth." Endure patiently. Makes me think of another verse, Philippians 3:13-14: "Brethern, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Thanks for the confirmation! I just love when God talks to me plainly when I need to hear from Him. And this message was certainly it. I hope it's something you can cling to as well!

Dumping our cares

From the Billy Graham devotional daily calendar:

I've been told that the French translation of this phrase, "Cast all your care upon Him" is "Unload your distresses upon God." Have you ever seen a dump truck get rid of its load? The driver simply pushes a button or pulls on a lever and the heavy load is discharged at the prescribed spot.... We we never meant to be crushed under the weight of care.... Unload the anxieties of the present moment upon Him, for He cares for you. If He loved you enough to take away the burden of your sins, can't you trust Him to take away every lesser burden as well?

Finding Treasures In a Jumbled Mess

This week I've been getting consignors ready for the huge auction yesterday. There was a building FULL of stuff to sell, and lots of great items, too. Lots of stuff. Almost too much stuff. It took a lot of effort and organizing talent to get all this stuff in some sort of understandable order. And to find those hidden treasures that are at every auction, you really had to search through all of it. Over 200 pictures, stacks and stacks of LPs (yes, records BEFORE cds), Furniture that filled half the building, and about 14 tables full of small items like dishes, toys, antique tools, salt & pepper shakers, and the list could go on for miles.

Normally, I try my hardest NOT to buy anything. But as the tables were getting cleared, the most adorable little knick-knack came into view. His little bright blue face was so uplifting I just couldn't resist getting him for my own. Isn't he cute!

When I got him home, I then had to decide his purpose. I don't keep toothpicks out in the open, and I wanted him closer to my regular view. So in the office he goes. AND, his little holder is the

perfect size for my lip gloss!

Then when I realized that I hadn't blogged in awhile (again), I just had to share him with you. Plus, finding him reminded me of how God finds my heart. Through my own jumbled mess, God searches and knows me. (He ought to, He made me in the first place). But even though my heart is full of confusion and emotion and desires and aches sometimes, God finds the center, His treasure. And when I can rest in that, I find MY Treasure. Plus, He gives me a purpose and direction. Like my little blue buddy now makes me smile while he's holding my lip gloss.

"The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be." (Jeremiah 17:9-10 The Message)

Time to Blossom

"Then the time came when the risk it took to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~ Anais Nin

This quote sparked me. The past few days I have been in a real funk. Blame it on change of diet, hormones, loneliness, whatever, but it's been painful and mind-numbing. I have had to literally turn off my brain just to get some rest. And before this I had been contemplating doing an intensive study on who I really am - how God created me, what He created me to be and to do. I am praying that through this kind of study I will gain some revelation from God on what path to take in my life.

I know that the will of God encompasses a lot - like an umbrella - and within that I can make my own choices about my looks, career, education, men, etc. But one thing I have learned about myself is that I don't like to waste time going in the wrong direction in life, and I've been down a few wrong paths.

I started this study tonight based on the initial breakdown of who I really am: a creation of God, and a female. Then questions stem from there, and whaddya know, some answers are found in His Word. I've got a couple of books to help guide me to the appropriate passages (The Purpose Driven Life, and Captivating). Already, I can think a little again, and I remember my word for 2010: preparation.

If you'd like to join me in this, leave me a comment or send me your email, or shoot me a message on facebook. I'll post or send thoughts your way and I'd really like to hear all your thoughts on this as well - how it applies to you.

Let me leave you with these:

"For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." (Colossians 1:16)

"In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." (Job 12:10)

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)

Valley of Dry Bones

I've been going through a writing dry spell lately. I want to write, need to write, but have a hard time just starting it. I also have too much going on in my head to focus enough to write clear. So I am gathering tidbits already for a Friday Fragment. Maybe I can purge and refresh at that point. In the meantime...

My morning Bible time is currently spent in a chronological Bible. I love it. Reading the prophets' messages from the Lord then having it matched up with the events from Kings and Chronicles makes sense and the whole story comes together seamlessly. Well, this morning I got to read again one of my favorite prophet passages in Ezekiel 37...the valley of dry bones.

Remember "The Mummy movies" (with that adorable Brandon Frasier that certainly has permission to rescue me any day from impending doom...but I digress)? Throughout the whole movie, the mummy regenerates. The bones come together, then the muscles and ligaments, some skin, and it finishes up as a whole evil person that is bent on taking over the world. Well, in Ezekiel (during the exile period of Isreal's history), the Lord takes Ezekiel to this valley filled with nothing but very dry bones and asks him, "Son of man, can these bones live?" Now, if God asked me a question like that, I would try my best to not be disrespectful in my tone, but reply, "are you kidding me?" Ezekiel's answer, "O Sovereign Lord, you alone know." What a wise answer!

From there the Lord tells Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, "Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! (notice the exclamation point) This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know I am the Lord."

So Ezekiel prophesies as he was commanded. And in his own words: "as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them."

Imagine that sight! Reliving those Mummy movie clips yet?

Then the Lord said to Ezekiel, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, "'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.'" So Ezekiel prophesied as he was commanded, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet - a vast army. Can you picture the impact of the wind from all four directions on those empty shells of bodies? There's no magical dust like in Beauty and the Beast when the Beast is turned back into the prince, but there is still that impact of life anew!

This is one of my favorite passages to read, for one because it's just beyond cool, and two, because it's proof for me that even if I perceive something to be dead and dried up (like my dreams in life), God can bring them back to life.

Grace & peace, y'all!

Confirmation

Have you ever gotten to a place in life where you just needed a confirmation you are where you are supposed to be? You don't necessarily expect to be at your destination, but you want to make sure you're on the right path, right? Well, with losing my job recently, I've really wanted to make sure I was going to be doing what God wanted me to do for now; to rest & refresh for awhile - at least a month! Who ever has that opportunity? It's like a dream. But I wanted confirmation that's it's ok to rest that long.


So of course I've been praying, more like ongoing conversations really. And anytime I need real confirmation, God always provides - in threes. It can be any method: music, sermons, scripture, blog posts, even commercials - whatever speaks to my spirit. As long as the message is the same. And this weekend, inlcuding this morning, I got five!


Saturday night, George started a new sermon series on Pursuing God - Connect. Asked the questions: What am I pursuing in life? Is there really a God worth pursuing? What does a life look like when pursuing God? What does a life look like that doesn't pursue God? And part of his message included Matthew 6:33 & 34: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." And he finished up with Ecclesiastes 12:13-14: Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man..." Ok - so seek God first, don't worry about tomorrow, keep his commandments. Got it.


Sunday morning Michael starts the new segment of his series - Head2Heart2Life. Time to focus on not only getting the knowledge of the scripture - but comprehending it - taking it to heart. Spend time letting it sink in. That in spite of ME (and all my sins and failings), He loves me (and everyone else). His Q's to us were: Who in my life needs the love of Christ? (insert family member, coworker, etc.) and, What are the things that keep me from showing the love of Christ? (selfishness, fear, impatience, etc. - busy-ness was one of mine). I didn't do the public display of commitment by taping our cards to the cross mainly because I am in that process of taking up my cross daily, and I want this card held close to pray over.


We went over Ephesians 3:13-21 this week. And in vs 17 it states, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith... So ok - need time to let scripture sink into my heart.


This morning I have had THREE confirmations. Dave Stone's message on the radio was about spending time with God - being obedient to His Word. And this phrase stuck with me: Obedience is faith in action. Christ dwells in my heart through faith. And Christ ALWAYS made time with God to reconnect with His father away from others. Just what I need to do.


When I got back from taking the truck for his Fixin' Day!, I read a blog post at At The Well. It was dead-on with where I've been and where I am now. Then I got a message in my Facebook inbox from "SIS" (Sisters in Scripture). Part of it included a note from Shiela Walsh: SIS WOW:You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. John 15:16. "This verse had been a part of my life since I was a young teenager. It helps when I feel overwhelmed-I remember that if God chose me, He will equip me. -Sheila"


I KNOW God has brought me to this place in time to rest & refresh. And whatever He has in-store for me from this point, He will equip me. So for now, I am going to enjoy life the way Christ wants me to. Spending time with My Father and learning to enjoy moments and who Christ created me to be. As well as spending time with others just to show the love of Christ. And I can't tell you enough what your wonderful supportive comments have meant to me, both online and off.


Grace & Peace to you all! Have a Marvelous Monday!

Broken

I'm sorry if I am being redundant with this posting, but it's just been with me since Sunday. I've got just a piece of my notes in the "Bible Thoughts" box to the right. Sunday at church, Kevin did a message on Mark 14:3-9 where a woman comes into a dinner that Jesus was attending. He reminded us that the world is full of broken people.

(3) While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.
(4) Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, "Why this waste of perfume? (5) It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor." And they rebuked her harshly.
(6) "Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. (7) The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. (8) She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. (9) I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

Kevin made some great points from this that I just HAVE to share.

• SHE broke the jar. No one can force you to be broken to Jesus - it's an internal process. We can THINK we're not broken all we want, but we are ALL broken. Each of us. But to come to that - to come broken before Jesus is the internal and individual process. This requires us to get real.


• Brokenness offends and shocks others, but not Jesus. Some of those around rebuked her for wasting the perfume. But Jesus put value on the jar AFTER it was broken.


• "New" keeps brokenness away...new husband/wife, new friends, new job, new car, new house, etc. NOTE: everything that is broken was once new.


• She did what she could (vs. 8). Just like the widow giving her mite - her only finances, she did what she could with all that she had.


• Hemingway said "The world breaks everyone, and afterward some are strong at the broken places." Did you know that broken bones are stronger at the break after healing?

And Matt, the worship leader pointed out something from his own personal study that just amazed me. He was studying in Exodus where Moses asks to see God's glory (Exodus 33:19-23). The Lord puts Moses in a cleft in the rock to pass by. Well, a cleft in the rock is a broken place. Moses saw a glimpse of God's glory from the broken place.

I am broken, not just broke. I have been getting real with Jesus for a few years now. And at each new broken place, I grow stronger, but not hard. My strength is found in Jesus alone. And I still struggle in some areas. Am I willing to get real in those places too? Regardless of who's around? Am I willing to do what I can with all that He's given me? That requires a sold-out lifestyle of worship for the one-and-only Jesus Christ. Do I measure up? Nope - not even close. But I am getting closer every day I spend time with Him who made me. He made me - He alone can mend me.

Grace & Peace to you all!

Passed Over

No - this is not a posting about THE Passover - but more like I got passed over once again. Or maybe it'll turn out to be a Passover posting...hmmm....



Long & short of it - I interviewed for a promotion here at work - for a position that I had already been backing up for four years. I did not get the promotion - seems the person who got it would be "better for the NCAC." So - does that mean I'm not good enough. Of course it does - if I let Satan keep telling me that.



And this has not been the only thing I've been passed over for lately. Lots of church stuff, other job opportunities, social activities with "friends," etc. And the whole time I had to welcome in my competition - since I sit out front - I was obedient to God and prayed & fasted during the day. I prayed mostly for God's will to be done in my life concerning all things. And it's truly amazing the stuff He tells you when you are listening to Him.



It's not that I was "passed-over" but that I was PASSOVER'ed. The blood of Jesus covers me now - and those situations are not what God wants for me, so the death that could have occured had I not been covered in the blood would be so much worse than just feeling "passed over." He revealed to me that He doesn't want me to be a part of certain social circles ("cliques")...it's too narrow-minded and there's no outreach for Jesus. He doesn't want me to have that promotion because He knows He would lose my focus. I would be putting all my energy into doing that job and not spending precious time with Him. Even though I struggle with my current situations, I know He's right here with me. I know He has a plan for me - and I know I am in His will.



So if you ever feel like you've been "passed-over," consider a different perspective - that you've been Passover'ed because the blood of Jesus makes you a child of the Most High - and HE has everything under control.