Voices

So a friend of mine posted a great blog the other day. If you haven't read it yet, then find it here:

Chubby Jack Cheese and Listening

Since reading this, my mind has been pondering some of the voices we hear. Voices that express the expectations of the world around us. Voices that tell us:

* What size we need to be.

* What clothes we need to wear.

* How we should act.

* Where we should go.

* What kind of house we should live in.

* What kind of car we should drive.

* How we should raise our children.

* What kind of education and degree we need.

* What kind of salary we should make.

* What social networks we should be a part of.

* What we should believe.

So many voices. And not all of their 'opinions' are wrong. However, it is all about perspective. Keeping those opinions in perspective with what He wants. I want to hear His voice. I want to hear His opinion. I want to judge the voices I hear by His Word and His principles.

As a woman, Proverbs 31 is a great measuring stick for the opinions and ideas around me. Aside from my relationship with Him, my husband will always be first to me. His voice, his needs, his well-being. Next my children. Then my ministry. I know this is not always the popular view among my ministry friends, but sorry...I'm not listening to those voices any more. I want to hear the voice of my Heavenly Father. I want to seek His favor. And He has called me first to my family.

Thank you, Lord, for my family! And thank you, Cylinda, for sharing your heart! To the one or two people reading this - lol - take time to read her post, and then, take some time to listen. To HIM.

By this...

...by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples...if ye have love one to another... (John 13:35)

Not by our paying of tithes.

Not by our faithfulness to church.

Not by how we dress.

Not by our works.

But by our LOVE ONE FOR ANOTHER.

All of the things listed above are necessary and good. And the list could go on and on of things that we, as the body of Christ, do in our daily lives walking with Him. But if we want to impact our world, we must show LOVE. Love for one another. Love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Love for sinners. Love for those that hurt us. Love for the brother or sister who has stumbled. Love for those who betray us.

This is how the world will know that we are HIS DISCIPLES. When we love one another.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd -- that's relationship.

I shall not want -- that's supply.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures -- that's rest.

He leadeth me beside the still waters -- that's refreshment.

He restoreth my soul -- that's healing.

He leadeth me in paths of righteousness -- that's guidance.

For His name sake -- that's purpose.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death -- that's testing.

I will fear no evil -- that's protection.

For thou art with me -- that's faithfulness.

Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me -- that's discipline.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies -- that's hope.

Thou annointest my head with oil -- that's consecration.

My cup runneth over -- that's abundance.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life -- that's blessing.

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever -- that's security.

** Got this in an email the other day. Love how it shows that He's got all the bases covered!!! Be blessed today, blogworld!

Walk by Faith...Not Feeling

Tonight my Dad's text was the story of Jacob deceiving his father into believing he was Esau...because Isaac felt what he thought to be Esau's arms. There is a danger in going by feeling. There is a danger is going by how we feel and allowing that to determine our actions.

We walk by FAITH...not by FEELING.

I wanna pray even when I don't feel like it.

I wanna worship even when I don't feel like it.

I wanna sing even when I don't feel like it.

I wanna witness even when I don't feel like it.

I wanna go to church even when I don't feel like it.

I wanna serve the Lord even when I don't feel like it!

In fact...if you don't feel like it and you do it anyway, you'll soon feel like it!!!

Praise Him anyway!

Excuses

Recently I was searching online for sayings and quotes to use in a photo book. I came across some interesting African proverbs. Here is one that stood out to me:

He who cannot dance will say: "The drum is bad."

We come up with so many excuses for why we are not doing things. We blame the weather, family, friends, the church, spouses, children, government...even God...for our own lack of success. Why is it so easy to point to others? Why is it so easy to make excuses?

God, give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.

Courage to change the things I can.

And wisdom to know the difference!

The Center Biscuits

In our house, the center biscuits are very special. The head of the house, my husband, has dibs on the center biscuits. When Daddy is gone, there is much glee when we have biscuits, because we all get to partake of this great delicacy.

Yesterday, we were at my parent's house and my Mom fixed her typical DELICIOUS southern breakfast ~ biscuits, gravy, sausage, bacon, and chocolate gravy. YUMMY! We sat down at the table and began to fix our plates. My son noticed that there were two 'extra' biscuits on top of the regular pan of biscuits. He grabbed one then noted that they were "crunchy and hard". My Mom stated that she had a bit of extra dough, so she'd made two separate ones in another pan. I told Jared that they were crunchy because they were cooked by themselves and not in the pan with the other biscuits.

A lightbulb came on over my head...you know, like in the cartoons?

Wow. There is a message in that statement. So I proceeded to use it as a teachable moment for my kids. :)

"Jared, it is like that for us, too. We need friends in our life...people we are close to...otherwise we get hard and 'crunchy'. That's what causes people to be bitter and hard-hearted. We need people in our life to help us stay soft and nice."

He pipes up: "Yeah, but you have to be careful with WHO you choose to be close to you."

LOL

Yep, just like a rotten apple will spoil the whole bin, we do have to be careful at who we choose to be close to us.

So, what about you today? Are you a 'center biscuit'? Are you surrounding yourselves by people who strengthen you, encourage you, and help you become a better 'biscuit'? Are you strengthening those around you? Encouraging them? Helping them be better 'biscuits'?

Or are you doing your own thing. Growing bitter and hard?

Lord, help us choose our friends wisely. And help us to be a good friend.

All-Africa Leadership Conference

We just returned from South Africa, where we were privileged to be a part of the first-ever All Africa Leadership Conference. Such a wonderful time for all of us who attended.

* Representatives from 22 African countries...over 150 present.

* Anointed preaching and teaching

* Goals made...vision cast...hearts renewed!

* Largest ever African Regional Missionary offering: almost $30,000 given by the African churches in support of three regional missionaries.

* Great fellowship

* Special guests: Rev. & Mrs. Anthony Mangun, Rev. & Mrs. Terry Shock, and Rev. & Mrs. Bruce Howell.

* Awesome leadership of Regional Director Jerry & Vickie Richardson partnering with Area Coordinators: Jim Crumpacker (East Africa), Jim Poitras (English-speaking West Africa), Randy Adams (French-speaking West Africa, and Ted Grosbach (South/Central Africa).

So many things to share...I will try to post some more in the coming days. One thing for sure, great things are in store for the African Region! Join us in prayer for greater vision, greater unity and greater revival!

Africa for Jesus!