BIG Inspiration from SMALL Packages!!!

It is like a mustard seed...
though it is smaller than all
the seeds...grows up and
becomes greater than all herbs..
(Mark 4:31-32)

We've had an unusual entry into Spring!  Two snow falls in one week (one breaking records at nine inches) and all within days of the official First Day of Spring posted on calendars.

Even so, I'm in a Spring Time State of Mind!  Like many of you, I look forward to more pleasant weather and the beauty of new blossoms God promises.   But if you just can't wait, let me share something that might jump start you into the light and hope this season brings.

Two things have weighed on my mind as we transition from winter. First, I wanted to recognize the achievements of women before leaving the month of March, Women's History Month and second, I wanted to help prepare hearts for Resurrection Sunday, coming up in just a very few days!  Thankfully, I found appropriate and timely inspiration for both this past weekend!

Nationally, on March 24th, men, women, boys, and girls of all colors were making history.  They were participating in March For Our Lives, a protest against increasing gun violence in America and a plea for gun control. Its epicenter was our nation's capitol, Washington, D.C. but other marches were held simultaneously all over the U.S. with a few countries abroad. I've been on a 40 day television fast but my smart phone prompted me to this important news flash.  When I read the promo for  11year old Naomi Wadler's speech at the March, I just had to give it a listen (click on the link below).

March For Our Lives Naomi Wadler Speech

This eloquently spoken, Nubian princess, articulated her concern for the safety of her generation in a way that grabbed not only media attention, but people everywhere affected emotionally or personally by gun violence. It showed the core of youth activism that became the catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement, The Voting Rights Acts, and the Anti-War Protests of our time. How appropriate that Martin Luther King, Jr.'s granddaughter, 9 year old Yolanda Renee King also spoke.  Her dream?  Enough is enough, this should be a gun-free world!  BE STILL MY HEART!  Each of these little girls made me proud to be a woman and an American!

On a much smaller stage (no pun intended), was a brief interview I did with a dynamic Christian Sister from my church, Amber Smith.  I invited her to be my guest at a teachers/leaders training on Personalization (Be Personal). It was designed to help Church folks get accustomed to loving, ministering to, and serving with people who do not look like ourselves.  These exceptional human beings (I prefer that word over special needs) are often ignored and treated as if they have no place in the body of Christ!

Amber, is a woman of short-stature. Other politically correct terms would be Little person, dwarf, or LP.  The word midget is highly offensive.  She has a form of dwarfism called hypochondroplasia. But Amber will tell you as she told us, no labels are really needed.  Simply refer to her as: A beautiful black little woman!  She is the mother of two girls (one short stature), and has a testimony of trials, wounds, and challenges in life that would humble the majority of us!

Her childhood was traumatic. She was bullied as both a child and an adult and suffered the heartbreak of personal and family relationships. She continues to be the victim of rude and insensitive remarks, yet Amber is overcoming it all!  She is tiny and shy but finding her way out of her shell to tell a story we all need to hear!  Her love for Christ and testimony of faith along with the affirmation of her children (they think she's the bomb) was the highlight of the day!

Musing over these ladies, I begin to think afresh about the call of the Prophet Jeremiah:

"I knew you before I formed you in the womb; 

I set you apart for me before you were born; I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5)

I came to this conclusion:

God makes no mistakes!! (Ps. 145:17)  He knew exactly what He was doing when He created you (Ephes. 2:10).  Stop complaining about not meeting the expectations or models of this world or even those we impose upon ourselves (Isaiah 45:9).  The potential for greatness is in us all (Psalms 139: 14-16).  God has a marvelous plan for everything we go through.  We must remain faithful (Jeremiah 29:11).

As we approach RESURRECTION SUNDAY, Celebrate with Joy!

There IS still HOPE and INSPIRATION in this world.  Look for it no matter how SMALL it may be.   When you find it APPRECIATE IT .... FOR IT JUST MAY BE FOUND IN YOU!!!!


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MAYBE MARRIAGE IS "YOUR" MISSION FIELD!!

"How beautiful are the feet
of those who bring good news
of good things. (Rom. 10:5b)

It's been a rough week!  Nearly ten days into a 40 day fast,  my husband came down with a terrible cough keeping us both up at night. The changes in my diet and from kicking television cold turkey (my personal sacrifice) was reaping great benefits, but  still having its effects on me.  And on top of it all he decided to undertake a minor bathroom project, that's still going on and is turning out to be a real nightmare!

Between the lack of sleep, lack of privacy (plumber in and out all day) and the Enemy putting his two-cents in wherever he could, our house was so tense and thick with emotions that the smallest spark would have set us all off in a blaze of flames!

Even with time spent in prayer, bible reading, and meditation, I still found myself wondering if maybe somewhere I got it wrong!  Perhaps the single life was God's perfect plan for me after all! I mean that's got to be better than dealing with all the stress and attitude I've been getting all week!

Singles have it made (I said)!  They have no one to listen to but the Lord.  They don't have to think about what to say or not to say before talking, so as not to stir up Mr. Grumpy Pants! And they can spend all the time they want going, serving, and doing all those wonderful things for the Lord!

And then, out of the blue a question came to me...What if this marriage is your mission field and your life, the gospel? Well, to be truthful, if it is, I now know why John Mark left the mission field in Acts 13:13!  Honestly, that's where I was emotionally!  But then I began to give
this some real thought.  Marriage is, in many ways, a mission field for wives!  Think about it!

• A Missionary is specifically called of God for a distinct ministry.  The Grecian verb for missionary is apostello, the same word we get apostle meaning sent one!  Now I never considered myself an apostle in my own marriage but why not! 

           Proverbs 18:22 says, He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from 

        the Lord. Now consider James 1:17, Every good and perfect gift comes from above...,

          thus, I think it not too much of a stretch to believe that every good wife is one sent from 

        the Lord!  Sounds like an apostle to me! And what is more distinct (recognizably 

        different) in ministry than that of marriage?

• A Missionary's duties are dependent upon the Word of God and Prayer. And we shall give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4). Listen, if you can get through marriage without these two, I need to come talk to you! To be a Christian wife and be faithful to the standards that God has given us without the Word and Prayer is an impossibility.  Wives are to be submissive! (Ephes. 5:22)  Wives are to serve! (I Peter 3:5-6)  Wives are helpers! (Gen. 2:18)  Wives are to be self-controlled and pure! (Titus 2:3-5)  To be faithful sexual partners! (I Cor. 7:5)  And these are only a few!

• A Missionary's life is one of sacred sacrifice that often endures hostility. As wife to a non-Christian or even a spiritually immature husband you might find yourself dealing with jealousy,  even hostility toward the things of God simply because of ignorance (2 Corin. 2:14). In such cases, it does you no good to try to beat the bible into your husband but it's better to live the Gospel out every day, no matter what the cost! (I Peter 3:1). In this way you are very much like a missionary.  Going out winning the world for Christ while your unbelieving husband is going to hell, wins you no prizes with the Lord! 

As a woman of a certain age, who sometimes find marriage more challenging than I like, I'm beginning to find comfort in the spiritual insight that God provides (If I let Him!) Singles appreciate the freedoms you have to do for God everything your heart desires! Married ladies appreciate the years of service you have given not only to the Lord but to your family.  We have much to find satisfaction in for God's grace has given us dual blessings!!! In this way too, we are like some missionaries, serving bi-vocationally the Lord and our husbands! In any case remember the words of Paul: As a prisoner of God, I beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. (Ephesians 4:1)

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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There's A Future After FAILURE!

"And he went out and wept
bitterly" (Luke 22:62)

In my last post, I shared with you my desire to become all that God wants me to be!  My pastor's current sermon series:  Being Brutally Honest, has given me much to pray about while on this path.  One in particular,  maintaining a pure heart was eye-opening (Matthew 5:8).  As I examined my own heart, I wasn't totally surprised with what I discovered... but it was quite sobering.

You see, like some of you, I suffer from atychiphobia (fear of failure).  Yep! I finally found a name for my obsession with details, over preparation, and the level of frustration I experience when things don't quite turn out the way I want.  Especially, when in most cases, care was taken to cover all the bases and I thought I had anticipated every need! 

My ministry philosophy for more than three decades has been, My excellency for Christ Who does all things well (Mark 7:37). That coupled with this warning: Not many of you should become teachers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness (James 3:1-2) has set me on over drive.  So much so that I put too much emphasis on verse 1 and not enough on verse 2.  For we all stumble in many ways.  And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

The stumbling part, a confession of error, as one bible commentator put it, was what I was trying to avoid. But today, I thank God for revelation! God CAN use imperfect people and imperfect situations to accomplish His will!  Sisters, I've decided to cut myself some slack the next time I perceive that something is a failure!

Perhaps you should do the same. I'm learning that: (a) Perfection does not equal good character! If my motives are not right, and to get things just so, I must offend or alienate someone; I should fear my own character flaws rather than any flaws in the task!

(b) My personal worth is not measured by how many times I fail!  Nathan Chen, USA figure skater in this year's Olympic, had a terrible showing, his first two rounds of free-styling. Yet he came back the third time with more determination and performed with such finesse and skill that his two other failures became nothing more than sports anecdotes.  God doesn't expect perfection, only progress toward the end goal of spirituality!

(c) The bible is filled with people who failed and failed miserably only to be heralded as men and women of great faith!  The Apostle Peter readily comes to mind. How many times did he have to swallow his prideful words when tested only to find himself inadequate! Denying our Lord, not once but three times in the high priest's courtyard (Luke 22:54-62).  Yet, before Christ's ascension He restored him to full apostleship in good standing (John 21:15-25).

So dear ones, I'm telling myself Get Over Yourself and put that atychiphobia in check! Failure is not the end!  In many cases it is the necessary means to assure that God gets all the glory and I stay dependent on Him.  Learning how to fail is the key to being joyful in success!

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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Becoming MORE of Who You Already ARE!!

 "His divine  power has granted
us all things that pertain to
life and godliness...(2 Peter 1:3)

The year 2018 is already showing wonderful possibilities for the Saints at my church! We're being challenged corporately to Become all that God would have us to be! (Psalms 1:1) This is our church theme for the year and of course spiritual growth is the ultimate goal!  (2 Peter 3:18)

It has been declared boldly, through sermons, prayers, and bible studies that this is not the time for nominal Christianity. We must live out our faith in Christ, both passionately and vibrantly! How else can we expect to make a difference in this increasingly dark world.

This whole concept of Becoming, speaks to change and deliberate movement toward an end. These are two things that most of us are not especially comfortable.  It is so easy to become complacent with Sunday morning religion isn't it? Put on a little Jesus once a week, come home, eat, and forget about Him until next Sunday!  Easy but no longer efficient!  We need MORE to survive these turbulent last days. (2 Timothy 3:1-5) But as the accompanying quote to this blog states: Life isn't about getting more. It's about becoming more! [end of quote] Becoming More of Who You Already Are!

God's Word assures of that we can and will change if we have a sincere faith in Jesus Christ.  From the moment of salvation our raison d'être (reason for being) is to conform to the image of our Lord (Romans 8:29) -- to become more like our Savior! This is not a hopeless task! We have a Helper, the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) and His divine power has granted us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence. (2 Peter 1:3)

I read once a great illustration that described the difference between a costume and a uniform and in our case, some who call themselves Christians:

A costume is something you put on and pretend that you are what you are wearing.   A uniform reminds you that you are in fact what you wear!  Often we need to be reminded that in Christ:

1. WE ARE a new creation (2 Corin. 5:17)

2. WE ARE no longer slaves to our past but Heirs to the kingdom of God (Gal. 4:7)

3. WE ARE bought with a price and every part of you is precious (I Corin.  6:19)

4. WE ARE Salt and Light in this evil world (Matt. 5: 13-14)

5. WE ARE more than conquerors and can live victoriously (Rom. 8:37)

Living Holy is not about how much you tithe, how often you go to church, and calculating every good deed you've done since salvation.  It is the knowledge of knowing that YOU ARE fully equipped and motivated to become more of who you already are in Christ (Ephes. 2:10).

BE ENCOURAGED MY SISTERS!

**Attention Blog Readers: Sharon Tubbs, author of Living In The Pink, has just released her new book, The Healing Place, now available on her website only: GoMoveForward.com  Check out what the indomitable Sis. Pinky is up to to see if she has what it takes to face her biggest challenge ever!  

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WORDS THAT BESPEAKS THE HEART!

...for out of the overflow
of his heart the mouth speaks.
(Luke 6:45c)

Like many of you, I'm still suffering a bit of righteous indignation at the alleged remarks by the P.O.T.U.S.
about Africa and Haiti!  I can't say that I was surprised but I did feel tremendous sadness!

Sadness for the timing (not that there is ever a good time), days before the celebration of a great Son of Africa, Dr. Martin Luther King! Sadness for our nation, another huge embarassment to the world as we prepare for Black History Month.  But my most profound sadness was reserved for the man!

This scripture immediately came to mind: The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks (Luke 6:45).   Neither you nor I are qualified to judge a person's heart.  That's God's job! But as the context of this verse confirms, we can know a tree by the fruit it bears!  For this president... it has not been a good season!

Believe it or not, I've made it a point to pray for the hearts of my leaders! You should too!  Not just in the White House, but in the House of Prayer, and even in my own house!  For I understand, personally what the Prophet Jeremiah says:  The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)

A quick word study on the heart (kardia, Strongs 2588 in the Greek) tells us that physiologically, it is the most important place in the human system.  Life cannot exist apart from it!  But spiritually, I think it even more important!  For all the brokenness in our lives spiritually can be measured by our hearts!  Here's why:

• It reveals the hidden man (I Peter 3:4)
• It  explains our bad choices and behaviors (Hebrews 4:12)
• It is the seat of our emotions (2 Cor. 2:4; Luke 24:32)
• It verbalizes our worldview about good and evil; right and wrong; value and significance (Prov. 21:2; Prov. 10:11)

We don't need a polygraph to know if a person is lying, just listen to their heart.  What do they talk about most!  We don't have to see every good deed that a person does.  Just follow their actions -- what things are they involved in! We don't have to wonder if a person cares.  Track their giving and where their hearts of compassion leads them.   The people they spend time with, listen to, and come to their aide. 

February, is the month set aside for Matters of the Heart. But we can't afford to WAIT!  Examine Your Heart!  Watch Your Words!  And don't forget to Pray for the Damaged Hearts of the Unredeemed!   

 UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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NEVER TOO LATE ...TO BEGIN AGAIN!!

Here we are...entering another new year!  For many this is a time for reflecting.  For gathering our thoughts about what we accomplished or  perhaps what we didn't.  Let me caution you to be careful and not become too overwhelmed with the latter!

The great thing about being a Christian is that it's never too late for us to begin again!  No matter what it is!  This is what makes our relationship with God so different than other religions! It is what keeps us who really know Him, centered and free from the stress and pressures of the world.  We don't need a new day or even a new year to to start all over. All we need is a new resolve and commitment to finish the course! No matter how long it may take! (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

I love Philippians 1:6.  It's a simple statement of God's truth that emboldens my faith and fills me with the knowledge that God has my back!  Maybe this is what you need to hear right about now! A bit of encouragement to inspire you to climb right back into the saddle, and ride toward your divine destiny!  Those things that you treasured in your heart; your goals and aspirations did not die in 2017 when the calendar rolled over to 2018.  If God is in it you can still achieve it!

Paul tells us that we first must have confidence (faith, belief, and assurance) that it can be done! Where is your confidence today?  Is it in your abilities, finances or in others who look like they've made it?   I John 5:14  tells us this: And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. 

Once, in a study of the Holy Spirit, I came across a term that changed the whole meaning of Psalms 37:4 for me: Delight yourself in the the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. We hear that verse quoted so glibly don't we as if it's a sure-fire way to get our selfish desires met. But in this study I learned that the true desires of our hearts are Spirit planted desires!  That's when God replaces our fleshly desires with holy ones.

When we surrender to these desires we never experience failure for He that began a good work in you will carry it on to completion. (Phil. 1:6b) Can you see how important it is to evaluate our successes according to God's will and not our own?  We walk around thinking that we have not made significant achievements because we are weighing them on a faulty scale.  We need to let God judge them. (2 Cor. 5:10).

Time seems to be another parameter that sucks us into the depression of underachievement! The Enemy keeps telling us we're running out of time to do things that please God! What a bunch of  Hooey!  It's never too late and we're never too old to do what God has told us to do!  We impede our own progress with the temptation to compare ourselves with others!  Older Saints become obsessed with their lack of energy, prowess, and seemingly respect that younger Saints are getting and just give up on their dreams. This is not the time to do so! Your influence can only be felt if you continue to inspire by your good words, works, and testimony of faith! ( Heb. 11:2)

This is the promise given in Philippians 1:6c: Our salvation, our ministry, our testimony is sealed, complete, relevant and efficacious (effective) until the day of Jesus Christ! Don't get bogged down with what you didn't do or didn't get done in 2017. Pray up and Gear up for the opportunities ahead:  IT'S NEVER TOO LATE...TO BEGIN AGAIN!

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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Seeking CHRIST at Christmas!

Christmas feels different this year.  At least for me.  So much devastation has taken place over the past  months.  Families are still reeling from the effects of loss during the hurricanes; fires are raging in the west, and political upheavals and scandals abound!

My Christmas cards and decorations are still in the storage bin, packed away neatly from last year and although the overabundance of store ads on television; in the newspapers, and even on my phone try to lure me to shop; I'm just not moved by any of it!

 The idea of supplying others with  more of what they already have doesn't give me the kick it used to. There are just so many  true needs that I see! Mind you, this is NOT the holiday blahs or depression that's evident this time of year!  I still have the Joy of Jesus!  I'm just yearning for something more! Maybe you are too!

In reading Isaiah 9:6, I think I've found what that is!  Seems really hard to miss when you think about it but isn't that the strategy of our Enemy?  To divert our attention from the worship of the Savior and instead waste time on self-indulgence and materialism?  The Magi of the Old Testament felt this same compulsion to seek not only something but Someone better than what they had grown accustomed to! 

They had all the riches one could hope for: gold, expensive perfumes, finery and gifts only enjoyed by the wealthy. They were endowed with wisdom and basked in the respect and accolades of the masses. Gained audiences with kings and queens; ate sumptuously at their tables and was held in high esteem. Yet something felt different as they studied the stars thousands of years ago!  Something that was worth a journey to the other side of the world to check out (Matt. 2:7, 13-15). Thankfully, we don't have to go that far. We have access right at our finger tips.  All we have to do is embrace the CHRIST of Christmas right now, especially in THIS season!  Find Him Dear Sisters, no matter how hard the world tries to distract you. 

• Seek CHRIST in His Presence not temporal presents!  For to us a Son is given...

• Seek CHRIST in His Sovereignty not corrupt politics!  and the government shall be on His shoulders...

• Seek CHRIST in His Wisdom not faulty advice! and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor...

• Seek CHRIST in His Power not worthless policies! Mighty God...

• Seek CHRIST in His Protection not changing social programs! Everlasting Father...

• Seek CHRIST in His Promises not vain boastings! Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

"YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME

WHEN YOU SEEK ME

WITH ALL YOUR HEART."

(Jeremiah 29:3)

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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