...They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? (Matthew 6:26-27)

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (Matthew 6:33)

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy. - Psalm 65:8

Through all the hardships that you are experiencing, do not be shaken, stand firm and always remember that the place of your greatest resistance will be the place of your greatest victory.

God always proves before He promotes. He is not looking for qualified people but rather those that He can work through. He may anoint someone long before appointing him, as He did for David, but He will never go back on His word or what He has purposed for your life.

1 Thessalonians 3:8 says, "For now we really live if you stand firm in the Lord." Now there's a promise. You want to make life enjoyable? Stand fast in the Lord. 

1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

"So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture."  Romans 8:31-36 (The Message)

Don't ever forget who our God is.  He is the one who valued us so much that he sent his only son to die that we might be redeemed!  He has amazing things in store for those who trust him.  Don't be tempted to rush ahead of God.  Don't be tempted to lower the standard.  Remember Paul's words above.  God didn't purchase your soul, restore you to himself, and transform your life just so he could leave you high and dry.  He is as big as he says he is!  To him be the glory! 

I went to bed with a heartache.  I did.  I just realize I need to be so much more.  I need to feel so much differently.  I need to care so much less about certain things and so much more about certain others.  I have such a long way to go in this God walk.  It made my heartache. 

When I got up this morning, I had a God moment.  He spoke precious words to me.  Words I don't deserve but they are for me all the same.  And you know what?  They are for you to.  

"...In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength..."  Isaiah 30:15

He wants to lift you up onto his lap, wrap his big strong arms around you, wipe away your tears of longing and pain, and whisper into your ear, "It's all right, little child.  Just rest your head on my shoulder.  I will take care of you.  This world is always in a hurry, but I teach my children patience.  Learn to trust my perfect timing so you may discover that all the pain found in waiting has a magnificent and awesome purpose."

"Though he slay me, yet will I wait for him."  Oswald Chambers

We enjoy instant access to God. Any time we want to, we can talk to God and He listens. The God of the universe listens to everything we have to say.  So, go ahead.  Spill your guts. 

Our Father's Day was splendid! 

The father of my children received a really silly card.

Exactly the way he likes his cards.  Extra silly. 

The fathers at church received a "sweet" surprise.

Got to love a cute father's day craft tutorial!

My daddy who is six hours away from me, received his card in the mail and we talked a long while on the phone.  Love and miss my dad.  Having him close by would have made Father's day even more splendid! 

My husband asked me to share during our Sunday morning service in honor of Father's day.  After a lot of prayer, this is a summary of what I had to say:

We are so thankful you chose to be with us today.  Men of all ages, our little guys and our big guys, there are some things you need to know.  You’ve been cut from a different kind of cloth.  You represent the King. Your purpose is much higher than merely your own.  You impact a sphere much wider than you may ever know.  There is more to you than you realize.  If you are a man, like it or not, you are a leader by position. 

As our leaders, you need to know that you have an enemy.  Your enemy wants to destroy you.  And if he can’t destroy you, he’ll distract you.  As our leaders, God wants you to know, You are not of this world.  You don’t belong here.  You put your feet down every morning in this world, but you don’t belong to it.  You don’t adhere to its rules and expectations.  You don’t even hope for the same things.  God wants to build you a story.  An adventure.  It won’t be safe and it won’t be easy.  It is worth the risk.  For his Glory.  He isn’t going to use your time here to make you comfortable and safe.  This is a risk-it-all pursuit. 

I stand before you today on behalf of a generation who needs fathers.  We need fathers, grandfathers, adoptive fathers, and spiritual fathers.  I stand on behalf of every child born or raised without a father.  I also stand before you today on behalf of a generation of girls and women who need faithful enduring love.  I’m here for every girl searching for someone worthy to be married to.  For every woman desiring to come under the headship of a faithful husband. I stand before you today on behalf of a God who needs men of courage.  Men who will stand against the enemy.  Who will not be destroyed by addictions and unfaithfulness.  Who will not be distracted.  Will you be God’s man?  Will you pursue his plan at all costs?  At all risks?  Lives are at stake.  Eternities are being shaped. Live courageously.

I hope your father's day was extra-special.  And if you don't have a father in your life, I hope you were able to do what my dear friend did.  She honored a dad who didn't have anyone to spend father's day with.  She without a dad and he without a daughter.  Perfect.  Just perfect.  

Abundant blessings on your week, friend.   

I've been in children's ministry for fifteen+ years and this is what I've learned, winning our children to Christ begins at home. 

As moms and dads we've got to be active in our children's lives.  Being present often means making sacrifices.  Sacrificing income, tv time, fancy clothes, expensive toys... We've got to be more than a meal ticket and a chauffeur to our kids.   

Before I was a mom, I had the opportunity to be a teacher and leader to children of all ages.  I did everything in my power to love on them and show them Jesus in the limited time they were with me but ultimately my influence could never be greater than the influence of parents and home.  I promised myself that no matter what, winning my own children to Christ would be the priority of my home. 

As moms and dads we've got to be willing to talk through real-life situations with our kids.  Help them make wise decisions in their lives.  A 30 minute lesson will go in one ear and out the other.  We've got to live it out all day every day with our kids.  We've got to be there.  We've got to be loud.  Yep.  Louder than the voices all around them.  Louder than their peers.  Louder than the media.  We've got to win the hearts of our children.  When we win their hearts, we need our hearts to be a reflection of Jesus.  Our hearts and lives have got to point to him. 

The Chief and I are so excited about the upcoming eGroup for family.  Several have signed up.  It's going to be a great group!  (It is open to anyone, anywhere. Not too late to register.) 

Join us Monday June 11, as we encourage ourselves and others to radically renew our households by purposefully seeking to serve God as a family!  Click here to sign up.

We must stay full of God’s presence or we won’t have anything to give everyone else. 

Take time to recharge.  Take time to connect with God.  Take time to rest.  

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31