Moving to KC- Part 2

In all Honesty, I've hesitated writing this, as I have felt less than adequate to tell of the things God has done... In all of my desires, glorifying Him is at the TOP of my list & I don't want to miss ANYTHING HE has done, so I've waited... 

Your marvelous doings are headline news; I could write a book full of the details of your greatness. {Psalm 145:6 MSG}

But now I feel ready.. For in my weakness, and in my inadequacies HE IS STRONG. 

{2 Corinthians 12:1-10}

After the Broken Chains crusade, we came home totally in awe of Gods greatness and totally humbled by seemingly small beginnings. 

Austin and I both felt our calling was to continue fighting on behalf of others... To pray and believe Chains could be broken in others lives with the ministries He had given us. 

With that on our hearts, we continued our daily living...working on breaking some of our own chains. 

Austin and I were both getting burnt out being in Ozark/Springfield. We were both feeling drained-as if things were changing and we were being left behind. We couldn't quite place a finger on it...Life was GOOD, real GOOD But we knew we had to go...we knew that God wanted GREAT. 

In Springfield, we both have family, we both had jobs, we both have church family, my birthson, our friends, and our memories. So what exactly could be greater? What would leaving truly look like? 

We prayed... And prayed... And prayed some more... Asking, pleading, with God to show us where he wanted us to move. I assumed Jokingly, Austin said Kansas. But he was dead serious. & I wasn't having it. "HECK, NO, it's flat and boring and there's tornadoes. I am NOT moving to Kansas." Taken back by my answer He said,"Never say never, God may call us there." I laughed it off. 

That Night I went to work and as I was driving I called on God and said "the next license plate you show me, is where we are moving." A car drove past with an Arizona license plate. I called Austin. "babe, I feel like we are supposed to go to Arizona. Yeah, for sure. That's definitely where we are meant to be."  Hanging up, I felt content.. Mainly because I felt I had dodged the bullet to come to Kansas. 

The next morning was Church... Austin didn't want to get up. He had worked long hours the night before and was exhausted. Something inside of me compelled me to fuss at him to get up and go with. We both know Church is important and usually it's no problem, which is why I pushed even harder because I felt like it wasn't Austin... 

We went to church that morning together, running late like usual. When we  got inside worship was already playing. We grabbed our coffee and immediately jumped into the swing of things. 

As we lifted our hands in praise, I prayed to God and said,"Lord, I give in. Wherever you set my feet is where I shall go. I just want to do your work. I know I desire someplace warm, but if that's not what you have for me, I will still love you and do my best to honor you."

Worship was over and we sat down. Pastor Chad got up and swiftly introduced Pastor Todd Blansit, His cousin.. Who Pastors a church in KC. (Oak Grove). Austin and I got a little excited!! 

After He was done speaking, Austin looked at me and said "that was good. Really good." A video began playing about shining your light and allowing it to reach an entire city. Both of us got a heart shock.. We both felt it. Kansas City was set into our minds. As we left church, Austin was excited about what He had learned, yet still wanted to go home and nap. ;) 

My family and I had planned to go to "Family Fest" that day... And I again pursueded Austin to stick to our plans and go.

When we arrived, there wasn't many people. It was supposed to rain, so a lot of people hadn't wanted to risk the weather conditions. The concert had already started. We set up our lawn chairs and then walked over to the merch table. We looked at T-Shirts and CDs when Austin noticed Steven COOPER

would be performing and Had his own merch section. 

Austin picked up his business card & asked the lady working behind the table if he could keep it. She kinda giggled and told him of course. His eyes lit up as He explained who Steven Cooper was to me. He had worked with tech nine, akon and Toby Mac. 

Then Austin flipped over the business Card. It said "The Booth Studios." Located in KC, MO.  Two times in one day, we saw KC, MO. So not only would we have a church, Austin would have a studio if we came up to KC! It seemed to fall into place. God is so clever when it comes to the details of our lives... He works behind the scenes and after it's set up, HE shows us where to go. 

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: {Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV}

It was perfect. Austin and I then grabbed Steven Coopers CD and on the back.. The third song down was called BROKEN CHAINS. That's it. I was undone. God gripped us. We chatted to my mom about KC, and she got excited for us. She's always been supportive of the dreams we have! She's an all in, go big or go home type! (It propels & encourages me). 

We sat down expectant for God to show up. Austin got up one second later to get my mom, little brother, and I some water. He was gone for what felt like FOREVER, and when he returned he was glowing. He had seen Steven Cooper on the way to the water and stood and chatted with him about music and recording.. Hoping that possibly He could teach and disciple him along the way. 

About an hour & a half later, Steven Got on stage. My mom didn't realize who he was and said "this guy is my favorite so far." Austin and I laughed and told her who he was. She was impressed! After, we got his CD for my mom and He signed it. :) 

We decided that KC was probably the place, but we didn't want to tell anyone. There's something that happens when you recognize that God is leading you, but it's in the secret place and until you have all of what He is giving you, it's better to keep your mouth shut and just follow. Austin and I had been blabber mouths about what we assumed were Gods plans, and it just made us look foolish. 

We learn as we go, and one thing we have learned Is that if God is behind something.. You don't have to say it, it will happen in time... You just have to show it. 

Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words. {Ecclesiastes 5:2, 3 ESV}

Moving to KC-Part 1

Why we moved to KC-Part one

I have broken this into two blogs, because I believe every detail is important. Every detail shows Gods handiwork. I will highlight words that I need you to keep in mind, for these are the very signs that God SPOKE & SHOWED us. 

"I know the plans I have for you, "Declares The Lord. "Plans to prosper you, not to harm you, but to bring you Hope and a Future." JEREMIAH 29:11

Not sure why this still surprises me... After everything I could possibly go through... This has become the scripture that has most attached itself to my heart. He knows the plans... And if I Were to reread the book "Love Connection." It's apparent that He plans things in ADVANCE, not on a whim. He doesn't just one day decide to fly by the seat of his pants and throw something my way. He knows the plans. He has them laid out. But... There's another side to this. We have the ability to CHOOSE to walk in them. 

Needless to say, Austin and I had been considering moving for a while. We felt like we had outgrown Springfield, like we needed to abandon the nest.  So knowing God is a Planning God, let me take you back. 

When I first met Austin, we always talked about our dreams and our future. We talked about things that were ideas... That we felt like could happen if we just believed. I trust in His dreams and he trusts in mine... Which is why we fit together so perfectly.  

The first time I ever got super excited for his music and him super excited for my future book, God had told us that there would be road blocks, literally and figuratively. We were driving in the car on the way to Austin's house when we were having this conversation and  we came up on a corner that had orange cones placed across it. Now I am no "expert" on these cones being there, but it was a God thing. Someone had literally placed them there for no reason, but as a prank. They served no purpose, but Austin and I knew someone would get hurt if we left them there, so we moved them off and set them on the side of the road. (It was obvious it was someone messing around, or we wouldn't have moved them)  but God came to us VERY CLEAR... AND SAID AGAIN "THERE WILL BE ROADBLOCKS, BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO STEP OUT OF YOUR CAR AND MOVE THEM." 

Yes, our dreams... They have had roadblocks. It hasn't been all easy and we haven't just cruised along. We have had to continually get out of our "car" out of where we are comfortable to GET UP, STAND UP, & move them.  This was the first time I had felt empowered by God asking me to get involved and telling me that my dreams were possible if I was willing to fight for them, if I was willing to persevere. 

After that, Austin and I dated and continued to talk about dreams and ideas... Our hopes and our expectations. One night after an evening out, we went to Jordan ValleyPark and like little hoodlums we climbed onto a nearby roof. We chatted more about Jesus and the road ahead. In this time, we looked across the way and a building stood tall with the name COOPER on it. We laughed and we speculated. Maybe COOPER would be our first babies name. :) I always talk about babies, so this was no different. I wanted the season to eventually turn into marriage and babies. 

Which, fortunately for us... We did get married. (No babies.....yet) Austin proposed to me that summer (2012) in Florida and we were supposed to be married the summer of 2013. But In OCTOBER, God spoke again very clearly that we were to be married in December, so we moved our entire wedding up 7 months!  Everyone came together and God provided everything-- more than enough. It was gorgeous. 

That next month, I worked a lot, but God came to me again and said "Write down your vision." (Habakkuk 2:3) So, I wrote down that I wanted to write Love Connection and have it done by Mother's Day. Which got me into high gear... Writing every free moment I had. On top of being a newly wed, we were both focused on making our dreams possible. Austin had written down that he wanted to make a mixtape. Which neither of us would have been focused on these things IF we would have been focused on a wedding that summer. 

Instead, we were focused on God and HIS PLANS. We fasted and prayed and by July 2013 instead of a wedding, our book "Love Connection" was published and Austin's first mixtape was out. (Of course that wouldn't have been possible without the participation of Jamie Ward, my birth sons MAMA.) 

With Love Connection on a roll, I called a ton of places to get speaking engagements for us and then FINALLY got a response from a few different places... Although not the ones I expected. I thought that if I wrote the book, God would take it to the top of books overnight or that it would be a best seller... He was moving on my behalf, but I wasn't as thankful as I should have been in the season that I was in...Instead I was invited to a broke chains concert in Lebanon, Mo. Which, I assumed would be small and not very significant. I honestly was ignorant and had no idea what I was getting myself into. 

Austin and I packed up our books (this is a story in itself, 200 books were bought for us by a man named Cory Mauck who runs the Zimbabwe Orphan program) and we went to the concert. When we got there it was awkward, all the women had on long skirts and I had on jeans. Which, sounds lame, but I felt out of place. We set up our little table of books and we set our sign out that said the books price. The people around us were giving away free popcorn, and free drinks, and free snow cones... When a little girl came to our table in an oversized shirt and pants that didn't fit. She asked "are these free." My heart broke when I told her they were 15.00. She walked away and then no one came over to the table for a little while.... Then God told me "put the sign away." I thought, then what was the point of coming...? People began to flood into the park and listen to the music and take advantage of the free popcorn and bounce houses. People stood on stage giving their testimonies, when Jeremy (the pastor) came over to me and asked if I would like to speak. 

I wasn't expecting it, but I told myself I would jump out of my comfort zone so I said yes and jotted down a few things that I wanted to say. After I spoke, a lady came up on stage and said that my books were there. I told her that I would take donations only, but that everyone should have one. 

When I got off the stage, people were already lined up at the table to get books. I hugged them, I cried with them, and I laughed with them as I signed copy after copy. When the crowd cleared... I looked at Austin, Lauren and Ryan (who came to help) as they were all behind the movement. We laughed and began chatting with everyone around us, getting to know their stories. 

Then Gods Spirit rested on the entire park. People began getting baptized right there...When they would come out of the water people began speaking in tongues and God spoke to me, "You have learned that when something is freely given, you too can freely give. I have called you to BREAK CHAINS in my Name." 

This was only the beginning to the great things that God was about to do. 

The Garden God

He has told you, O Man, what is good;

And what does the Lord REQUIRE of you

but to do justice, to LOVE KINDNESS,

And to WALK HUMBLY with your God? 

Micah 6:8

The bible has a funny way of taking us full circle. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth and then.... created Adam and the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:7). In this Garden, God walked with Adam, talked with Adam, taught Adam, and was pleased with His creation--His Friend.

He saw that Adam was lonely. How did God notice? Because God was so close to Adam that He KNEW his need. Adam was never documented saying anything about being lonely...but GOD saw it anyway. Adam was HUMBLY walking with God. He didn't have to beg for Him to fix His need. All He had to do was walk close to God. 

So God made Eve. (Genesis 2:18-19) Perfect in every way...just for Adam. However, Adam was not standing with God when Eve brought back the fruit. They were not right next to Him when they ate of it. Even though God was in the same area, they were not RIGHT next to Him... they did not even take a second to ASK him again if it was ok to eat the fruit. God gave them EVERYTHING they could ever want...and yet, their lack of going to Him before eating something He said no to, resulted in them being completely separated from Him. (Genesis 3)

Fast forward. We see that people now have to offer sacrifices to even get within a short distance from Him. That doesn't mean people are WALKING HAND in HAND with Him. It just gives them the ability, to hear Him... but even people can hear God from a distance. They can hear him drawing them close... they can hear him calling their name. Until they walk with God, they will fail. We see it time and time again through the bible. Continuous failings. A high priest had to go and intervene for the people, but the people could not have direct contact with the Lord. 

Then God, being His sovereign and merciful self, sends a Savior. A Savior that will GLORIFY His name. I believe that God misses His people. He wanted to walk with us, just as much as we long to walk with Him. So in Steps Jesus (Luke 2). He is born of a virgin and enters into our world... He brings hope to a people and everyone gathers to see him. He teaches. He instructs. He directs. Up until that day on the cross... and I can only imagine the hopelessness everyone began to feel again as their SAVIOR hung above them... dying.  I am sure they felt just as torn as Adam and Eve did the day that their Father said they must leave. 

This is the really great part though. Instead of being separated. Everything was undone. The curtain was TORN in TWO when JESUS rose from the GRAVE. & then this is where we come full circle. Jesus APPEARS to Mary in the GARDEN. Yes, the GARDEN. I believe this was for a specific reason to show that we again have entered the GARDEN because of His saving grace and resurrection. 

Yes, good news to everyone. Jesus was risen...and He lives. He lives with us... His Holy Spirit is inside of us. Which means, we WALK with God in this GARDEN of life. He is as close to us as ever before. He is no longer at a distance, but right up close...whispering in our ear... talking to us...teaching us... directing our paths... 

This is the God I know. This is the Jesus I know. The one that walks so closely to me that I can hear his voice saying "Take a Step. Walk this way. Enter this land. Read with me. Dine with me. Dance with Me." Yes,  this is the Jesus we should all know. He is our Garden God. He is closer to us than we even know. We no longer will give into Sin when tempted because God will be right by our side saying "don't eat that." He may have already told us that it's wrong...but until we walk with Him hand in hand we will give into Temptation, just like Adam did. 

For we are HIS workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for Good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments.... In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2:13-22

This is the God we can count on. This is the God we can rely on. He is talking with us right now. He is sitting right beside us. We are one, reconciled with him because of Jesus. Let our eyes of faith see that He is present and WALK with Him Daily so that we may stand strong when the storms of life try to tear us down. 

I am praying that everyone finds this place... this Garden where we can walk hand in hand with our Lord and fall more in love with Him Daily... 

If we live by the Spirit let us also WALK by the SPIRIT. Galatians 5:25

Foot Washing (by ELYSE FITZPATRICK )

Here’s the narrative from John 13:

Jesus . . . rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.” . . . When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. (John 13:3–10, 12–15)

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE CEREMONY

Think of it. The high King of heaven condescended to bow before the dirty feet of his friends and wash them. This act of humiliation stands forever as an example of humble love and service. Now, let me ask: Do you think that Jesus was simply instituting another ritual for his followers in washing their feet and telling them to follow his example? Although there probably isn’t anything wrong in having an actual foot-washing service, I think we’re missing the point if we limit our imitation of him to a simple ceremony once every six months or so.

This is the point of what I believe Jesus is teaching us. He has already spiritually cleansed each of his children from their sin. We are “completely clean,” as he said. But why then, if we’re already “completely clean,” would he encourage us to follow his example and wash each other’s feet?

We need to wash one another because as each of us traverses through this world, we are immersed in and subsequently sullied by every kind of sin, unbelief, and idolatry. Sometimes that filth finds a little crevice (or large gaping wound) to incubate in, and if we’re not careful, it can become infected before we know it.

A SERVICE OF CLEANING THOSE HARD-TO-REACH PLACES

You know, our feet are one of those places that, unless we’re very limber or under the age of five, we can’t really see very well. Not long ago I was taking an evening stroll with a friend on the beach. We were barefoot, and I couldn’t clearly see where I was walking. At some point I stepped on something sharp that felt like a bee sting, and by the time I got back to my car it was itchy and painful. Then, try as I might, I just couldn’t get a good glimpse of it.

Finally, when I returned home, I needed to have Phil take a look. I needed his eyes to help me see what turned out to be a little thorn that I was apparently allergic to. I don’t think it’s inconsequential that Jesus framed this discussion around our feet. We need to wash one another, to carefully probe, cleanse, disinfect, and heal each other, and this isn’t something we can see clearly enough to do on our own. We need the eyes and hands of others.

What’s really delightful about all this is that not only do we help others when we “wash their feet,” but our own souls are helped as well.

If nothing else, our souls are humbled as we experience Christ’s humility, but we are also cleansed in the process. As a biblical counselor, I can personally testify to the hundreds of times I’ve been encouraged, cleansed, convicted, and blessed when I helped someone else with their sin.

What I’m suggesting is that you look at the relationships you have with other believers in a new way. I’m hoping that you have begun to see yourself as an instrument that your Savior will use in your friends’ lives, and that you’ll begin to look for opportunities in which a friend can help you get at that painful, itchy thorn you just can’t see. Because I’m assuming that this might be new in your experience, I’m going to give you some practical suggestions about how to begin to live out gospelized fellowship.

COMING CLEAN THROUGH CHURCH COMMUNITY

First of all, let me encourage you to start small. Our Savior had twelve disciples, but he also had three close friends and one best friend. Start there. Start with two or three others who are willing to get together for biblical fellowship once a week or so. My guess is that you probably already do get together with your friends fairly frequently. So why not turn this visit, at least part of it, into a time of true biblical fellowship? If you’re very busy with small children or long commutes, then why not commit to talking on the phone at least once a week, with a commitment to visit in person for a couple of hours once a month?

It’s my opinion that this kind of biblical fellowship happens best in small groups that meet regularly during the month. My husband, Phil, and I presently facilitate a small group as part of our church’s communal life where we are primarily focused on speaking into each other’s lives through words of encouragement, correction, accountability, and the open confession of sin. I recognize, however, that most churches, even if they offer small group opportunities, do not structure the groups in this way. So, even if your church doesn’t presently offer this, you could still get together with your friends informally.

If you’re thinking that getting together with friends is what you’ll try to pursue, you could say something like this to them:

This is not primarily a time for us to chat. It is a time to share openly about our sins or temptations to sin, to point one another to our Savior, to speak of our graces and the way that the Lord is growing us. It’s a time for prayer and a time to ask questions about struggles mentioned in the past.

It can happen anywhere: at a coffee house, or in a home, or while taking a walk together. Biblical fellowship doesn’t mean that every single time you get together every one of the objectives must be met, but there should be given time for each and the expectation that something more than a superficial visit will be attempted

Body Building

Jesus is God... And when He walked the earth He was capable of all things! So why did He need 12 disciples? If He could do everything on his own because He was God himself... Why did He need help from 12 people who were outcasts and half the time seemed to never understand Him? 

..... because Jesus was setting an example for us. He wanted to show us the importance of a disciple. He wanted to build the Body of Christ. The body is made up of various parts. So Jesus chose 12 parts that would look to the head and help with the work that needed to be done. He chose 12 parts that were willing to be obedient and even if they didn't understand what they were doing at the time, they had a purpose and they fulfilled many things that the head knew needed to be done. 

Even though the disciples had to learn many hard teachings... They were able to look past their pride and their expectations and look to Jesus. Jesus would constantly have to explain what He meant. Sure, Jesus was Honest..but honesty comes with a price. It offends. It cuts. And often times causes brothers and sisters to get angry. 

The disciples consistently grew angry with what Jesus had to say. But they took it with a grain of salt and they stuck by Jesus' side so they could grow to do miracles just as He.  If they never stuck by his side because of His harsh truth, than they would have never built the church into what it is today. 

Jesus had 12 disciples he could trust... That He took the time to teach... And no matter how hard the teaching was or how confrontational Jesus had to be.. He had a mission: To spread the Word and share the Glory of God and SAVE THE WORLD. These disciples would help him do it. 

Yes I said HELP. It's a great example for us. Often times we try to take on everything by ourselves. We try to meet with everyone, teach everyone, grow everyone, and fix everyone's problems. But let me tell you, even when Jesus fed the 5,000 He fed their basic need-- He didn't sit and chat with everyone and get to know them. (yes I realize he already knows everything... But keep in mind Hes being an example for us) If Jesus would have taken the time to do that... It would have taken him around 13years to spend 1 day with each person. This is impractical. We can't do that all by ourself. We would wear ourself out. Luckily, we too have help! 

"And the disciples said to him, "Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?" And Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" They said, "Seven, and a few small fish." And directing the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. "(Matthew 15:33-36 ESV) 

Jesus will do the miracle, we can deliver it. 

   Jesus had 12 disciples who he trusted to get to know these people and feed more than just the need of food. Jesus knew these 12 people could be looked up to... That He could send 1,000 people their way... And that they would help Him because He gave them the power to do "even more" than Himself. 

That's us today. JESUS is living on this earth... His Holy Spirit is Living inside of Us! He knows that the church shouldn't rely on just the pastor alone, but the 12 people the pastor appoints. & those 12 people should each make 12 disciples of their own. Why? Because if each person has 12 disciples... The church would be unstoppable.

The church thrives when it follows Jesus example... And it starts with us. 

"When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you." (John 13:3–10, 12–15)

This is how the church grows. This is the outreach we should strive for. But first we have to be willing to become a disciple under a Godly Authority that we trust. Yes, it is important to find council from God and His Word, but it is equally important to learn under someone He appoints to disciple you. When this person positively criticizes and corrects you-- don't be upset-- don't get offended because they are trying to grow you in truth. Be willing to be discipled, so you may be the one to disciple the generations coming after you... And in turn the church can grow And imprisoned people will be SET FREE. 

 

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. (Luke 6:40 ESV)

And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. (Luke 10:2 ESV)

Follow-Through, Friend

What does it look like to be a "friend?" What does it look like to have a meaningful, nurturing, fruit producing, true relationship like the one Jesus asked us to have with our friends? There's no one better to learn from than Jesus himself when trying to produce the fruit required to have a life giving friendship.  

First of all, Jesus never needed to gain anything from his disciples... He was able to have a meaningful relationship with his 12 disciples because he did not only call upon them when they could offer him something. Jesus did not have a million dollars, a fancy car, or worldly connections. He did not live the lifestyle many dream of. Although he wasn't earthly rich, He was spiritually rich. Because Jesus knew His position, he never needed to gain anything from his disciples. The friendship was pure. 

In modern day, If we were being honest--many of our friendships do not resemble that of Jesus and His disciples. We call people only when they have something to offer us... Or we talk to people if we think we have something to gain...and we don't invest ourselves into just listening to people if they can't provide us with something we need. Or Maybe we are busy?  Guess what! Jesus was one of the 'busiest' men on the earth.... Because He was a servant. He gave and gave, and then gave some more. 

“Who would you rather be: the one who eats the dinner or the one who serves the dinner? You’d rather eat and be served, right? But I’ve taken my place among you as the one who serves. And you’ve stuck with me through thick and thin. Now I confer on you the royal authority my Father conferred on me so you can eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and be strengthened as you take up responsibilities among the congregations of God’s people. (Luke 22:27-30 MSG) --SERVE BECAUSE YOU KNOW YOUR PLACE IN THE KINGDOM. 

That couldn't have been easy. I don't think the problem is that we are busy, I think the problem is we value our time and think it is more important than someone else's. I am not saying we have to make time for everyone in the world to become extremely close...Because to be honest, there really isn't enough time to make the genuine friendships we want to make. Why do you think Jesus only had 12 disciples....? Not because no one else was willing to follow him, but because he was setting an example for us. He was showing us that friendships are more important than numbers.... They are investments. 

We have to be willing to invest our time. Care about each other. If we always say yes to everyone, and we never follow through...those friendships are meaningless. You cannot be a real friend if everything you say is just lip service. Faith without works is dead. Friendships without follow through and serving is dead. 

I find it extremely interesting that Christ chose 12 people... And he served them. Christ gave us the example that serving 12 disciples, 12 close friends....is better than 100 people serving us. 

Friendship is not based on how many people we can stack into our lives that can give us things, but rather how many people we can influence to be world changers and sharpen us in the process.... The investment is worth it... So serve and watch as your friendships are not only honored by the people you become close with, but by God Himself.  

Chasing Dreams

I find myself in a season of thankfulness. Although difficult in my current circumstances, I am continually reminded that He is my portion. 

This past few weeks I have been exhausted. I have been tested and tried in trusting God with all that I have. I have found myself worn out-- not for the lack of trust--but rather I am tired of trusting God to take care of the same thing time and time again. I am ready for a break-- I am ready to keep my head above water--not just pop up for a breath and sink back down. 

God is good. He is sovereign. I know He is going to do so much more than I could believe or ask. Through these trials, He is always faithful. 

I had a conversation just praying God would show me whats coming because as I sit chasing my dreams, down to my last dollar, He keeps saying,"the Harvest is coming." 

All I can do is trust, believe and follow and pray that through my perseverance I will see the point in all of this... In all of this struggle. 

Sometimes I wonder why I keep doing this. Why I keep chasing something when I seem to take 5 steps back and 2 steps forward... God ministered to me the other day on the way home from Church... And again in a dream. Many ways he kept saying "Press On. Keep Going Forward. My righteousness will pave the way and I will be in front of you and behind you." 

On the way home from Church this Sunday, my husband and I took the long way... We were just cruising when out of no where a car got behind us. There were several opportunities for this car to pass us, however... As we cruised and it pressed in on our tails... It never took up the opportunity to go around us and leave us in the dust. Austin and I decided to pull over and let the person pass-- and as we did, we watched the car turn on the street 100ft ahead of us. 

The Enemy... Is just like this. Getting up on our tails until we get so annoyed that we pull over on the path God has for us. & when he achieves his purpose, he pulls away. But if we would have just pressed on and moved forward 100 more feet, the enemy would have turned away and gave up because he would be tired of chasing us... 

Oh man! This is perseverance. To go until you feel like giving up and then go some more! So what's the motivation? How can we keep pursuing God in all of the struggle? What's the reward may be a question we ask.

Lets be honest, we wouldn't play a game if there was no reward at the end. What would be the point? If we went to a carnival and the man said here,"buy all these darts and throw them at a balloon... Oh yeah, and it's all for nothing. No prizes." Would we play? 

Heck no! I want a stuffed animal! I won't invest my time or money if there's nothing for me. Yes, that's our mentality. 

So as I walk this path of chasing my dreams, I ask God, "what's for me!? What's my reward?" 

But then he reminds me through spiritual mentors and His word that HE IS MY PORTION AND THAT IS IT. That is my reward. 

When I trust that and when that is enough, than I can focus on Him and focus on the difference that this novel will create, not the dollar that it will make. 

My reward for my dreams isn't a big house, a million dollars, or even a new car... No, my reward is my God, my Jesus, and in that I am fulfilled.

So here I go... Off to Colorado... Chasing a dream that only God can catch.