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Daddy, I need You….

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My daddy (yes, I am a grown woman that still calls my father daddy) is a generous guy – he would give you the clothes off his back, going out of his way to help others get what they need, making sure their needs are met – often at the cost of sacrificing his own needs. My daddy is also extremely resourceful and talented – he can fix or build just about anything. There’s nothing that my daddy wouldn’t do for me. The problem is I don’t always ask for his help. As the oldest of 5, I often feel that I’m okay and that the others might need a little bit more from him than me. I also don’t like to be an inconvenience or burden to anyone. I am most comfortable being the helper as opposed to the one being helped. Even when my father offers his help, I have a hard time accepting it.

Recently I needed my father to help me with my car – something that he’s really good at by the way. I had the hardest time even wanting to ask him for help. After pacing the floor and going back and forth with it, I made the call and he was more than eager to help. All I had to do was ask.

It later dawned on me that my approach to my Heavenly Father is the same way. I have no problem seeking Him for other people, taking others problems to Him, or even asking for things that He freely gives – forgiveness, grace, love, mercy, and strength. But when it comes to the things I need, the situations that I need to hand over to Him, the broken pieces I need Him to put back together….I must admit I have trouble asking…that is until it gets to the point of desperation. There are more important things going on in the world and other peoples lives than my little problems – at least that’s what I think sometimes.

Our Father wants us to seek Him for EVERYTHING. There is nothing that He wouldn’t do for us that is within His will. He should be the first one that we go to. He longs to help us….all we have to do is ask.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” – Jesus (Matthew‬ ‭7:7-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Heavenly Father, we need you! You know those things that each of us are in need of. Let us seek You in all things, no matter how insignificant they may seem to us. Everything concerning us matters to You because You care for each of us and there’s nothing that You wouldn’t do for us that is in agreement with Your desires for our lives. Help us to humble ourselves knowing that we can do nothing independent of you….we need you Father.

In Jesus Name, Amen

#RELATIONSHIPGOALS

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In a day where information is available to us at a tap or click, we can easily be deceived into believing that we can get all of the information that we need to know about a person. Think about it. How often do you meet someone (or even before you meet them) do your ‘research’? Checking Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. – even going as far as a free background check…totally bypassing the opportunity to connect and really get to know someone. Society has turned us into people that crave information more than relationship.

Our information makes us feel smart, safe, secure, and a step ahead. It makes us experts yet ineffective in our relations. Often creating barriers that prevent us from embracing true relationships. Armed with our “information”, we enter in to relationship with preconceived notions, false expectations (and often false information), standards and rules that prevent us from cultivating a genuine relationship with a person.

Same can be said with our relationship with God. Our knowledge (or lack thereof) and expertise, can be a barrier to our relationship with Him. Our knowledge can give us this puffed up idea that we know all there is to know and that we are the subject matter experts on all things holy. Instead of basing our relationship with God on salvation, grace, intimacy and experience, we base it on information, rules, certifications, titles, commandments, and others views of Him. Don’t be mistaken, as believers and followers of Christ, we should diligently study the Word of God as our source of truth, our history and instructions for living. However, information without a relationship with the One it’s all about, is useless.

During His time on earth, Jesus fiercely warned a group of people who valued religion more that they did a relationship with God. The Pharisees felt that their knowledge, interpretation of scripture and rule based systems were the way to a righteous life.

“You’re hopeless, you religion scholars! You took the key of knowledge, but instead of unlocking doors, you locked them. You won’t go in yourself, and won’t let anyone else in either.” Luke 11:52 MSG

The Pharisees were keeping people – including themselves, from the Kingdom of God based on their information. Their knowledge kept them from a relationship with God that could only come through salvation in Christ alone – not information, criteria or rules. Similarly, our desire to consume information to prove what we know and how much we know, can keep us from growing in relationship with Christ. As we constantly pursue information, we often miss opportunities to connect with Him, experience Him, embrace Him and live for Him.

Here are a few relationship goals we should have:

1. Connect with God through salvation.

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Personal Savior, consider asking Him into your heart. It’s the most important relationship you will ever have. You can do it right now….just say these words..

“I’m a sinner in need of rescuing. I need You, Jesus, as my Lord and Savior. I believe that you came to earth as God in the flesh, died on the cross for my sins, and rose again so that I can live eternally with You. I ask you to come into my heart and change me, that I might live for You. In Jesus Name, Amen”

2. Get to know God through His Word, daily devotions and prayer.

3. Express gratitude and value your relationship with praise and worship.

4. Hang out with God. Make personal quiet time, church and fellowship a priority.

5. Put your relationship on display and share the Good News. Let others see proof of your relationship by being the light and tell others about the One you’re in relationship with.

Now for a few closing words from a former Pharisee…

“The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ— God’s righteousness.

I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.” – Paul

(Philippians 3:7-11 MSG)

What Are You Hiding Behind?

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Last week was really challenging for me. It was rough and I really wasn’t liking myself because of the funk I was in. Nothing seemed to be going right. Every time I turned around it was something. I felt underwhelmed, overwhelmed, scattered, rushed, drained….it was a rough one. The only time I seemed to be okay was in my “quiet time” in the corner of my sanctified sofa but as soon as I walked away it was like I walked under a dark cloud. When I was in my quiet time, things made sense, there was peace, there was rest, and assurance but when I walked away I felt chaos swirling in my head – so many thoughts, so much to do, anxiety creeping in…. I pretty much carried all of it with me and on me throughout the day.

My countenance had nothing to do with the worship music. It wasn’t the scripture. It wasn’t God…it was me. I was choosing to pick back up and put on what was keeping me from letting God’s presence rest within me and work through me.

Then I stumbled across a portion of Brother Moses’ story. A time when his countenance changed after being in the presence of the Lord.

“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.

When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with Him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the Lord.”

Exodus 34:29-30, 33-35 NIV

I thought about my own tendency to put on veils that prevent me from drawing near to God and cover the presence of Him in my life. Veils of fear, insecurity, frustration, pain, anger, irritability, unforgiveness, pressure, unbelief, anxiety and entitlement – all keeping me from fully embracing God and allowing His Spirit to radiate within and through me.

What veils are you hiding behind?

While our faces may not be radiant like Moses’, there should be a light radiating from those of us who belong to Him.

“Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are—face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We’re free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.”

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 MSG

Remove the veil and let your light shine bright!

Not Your Grandmother’s Bible…

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My Grandmother like most had a Bible that recorded births, marriages and deaths. It was intended to be passed down from one generation to the next documenting our lineage. As I mature in my relationship with Christ, I think about my own Bible. The margins containing recorded thoughts, tiny prayers, underscores of meaningful scripture that spoke to me during difficult times, names of love ones next to promises for their lives, highlighted revelations of God’s Word, praises of victories, tear stains, maybe even a few drips of coffee spilled from my excitement pouring over a particular passage or if I’m being honest – a slight moment of carelessness, tiny hearts in response to God’s love letter to me.

Some will disagree that the holy sacred Word of God should be marked up, that your Bible should remain pristine and in tact. However, I disagree. Jesus came and tore the veil to give us unlimited, direct and intimate access to God. During His time as God in flesh on the earth, He acknowledged those whose faith was bold enough to reach out and touch Him, as opposed to those that waited for Him from afar.

My markings don’t mean I don’t reverence God’s word as holy. It means I believe it, I’ve questioned it, I’ve been thankful for it, I sometimes fall short, I practiced it, I love it, I cherish it, I’ve prayed it, that it’s my resource – my source of truth, the owners manual for my life, the encyclopedia of faith, pages of promises, a love letter written with me in mind….it is my lineage, it is my life, it is my hope, it is my delight. It reflects intimacy with my Father, a relationship with the Author.

When my grandchildren someday pour over the pages of my Bible, they can reflect on our rich heritage, a history of answered prayers, moments of doubt and questions, praises of victory – they are reminded of what God has done for us and encouraged as they leave a legacy of faith for their own children.

“Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.”

Psalms 145:4 NLT

Deeper…but I’m not sure I want to go….

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We sing the songs, we study the verses, and pass along the devotionals with the message “Lord, I want to go deeper, Anything for your glory, I’m ready Lord, Use me.”

But when He takes us deeper, when He takes us to that cliff and we’re in the pit of deeper, not quite how we envisioned…all of a sudden we don’t like deeper. We don’t want to be there. We don’t want to be broken. We don’t want to see His glory in the deep, yet we were so anxious to see His glory from the heights.

We seem to believe that theses moments of deeper should be elevated moments of success, back to back victories, happy, happy, joy, joy. We don’t believe that deeper sometimes means us taking a detour to the pit – the pit of tragedy, the pit of sickness, the pit of unemployment, the pit of divorce, the pit of a lost child. This is when He’s taking us deeper, that’s when He wants to develop our faith, that’s when He wants to speak to us, when He wants to use us.

It’s in these very moments that He is taking us deeper.

As I am reminded of one of my favorite songs… “Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters, WHEREVER you would call me…take me where my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior.” -Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) Hillsong United

The moment we say “Yes, Lord use me, Yes, Lord I’ll go” we don’t have say in the wherever. We have to trust Him, trust the process, and allow Him to take us deeper WHEREVER He would call us.

Now that’s deep!

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs the all.”

-2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 17

Forever Grateful,

J

Validation

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Validation.  Don’t we have the tendency to chase after it? Maybe you haven’t placed a label on it, but what about the social media like, following, comment, or fishing for that compliment? Or how about the okay to move forward in purpose or to chase that dream? Or confirmation about that decision you made? The cheers….the applause….acknowledgement of a job well done.

I recently came across an article about an extremely talented and famous basketball player, in fact recognized as #2 in the game by some sources (including my teenage son), who felt the validation of his peers solidified him as one of the top in his game ….though he already was. Peers who were slightly less talented – depending on who you ask or what statistics you’re looking at (but don’t ask me …I’m just a girl that loves football). He needed their approval to feel good about himself, confident and assured that what he was doing worked, that the gift and skills that he had were legitimate, that he belonged. To me his comments sounded familiar….all too familiar. 

“for they loved human praise more than praise from God.” –John 12:43 NIV

If God has already told us that we are created in His

image…

chosen…

called…

appointed…

anointed…

equipped…

royalty…

redeemed…

justified…

the apple of His eye…

loved…

Why isn’t that enough? There’s only One that needs to validate you and He already did!

person doing thumbs up

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Secret Recipe

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My aunt used to make the most amazing barbecue sauce…the perfect combination of sweet and tangy with just the right amount of kick. It set off her already perfect barbecue ribs, chicken or whatever she threw on the coals to be doused in her sauce.

During her final week here on earth, she wanted to make one last barbecue. She sent me to her grocer to pick up all of the ingredients. When I returned, she put together her “secret sauce”. Instead of staying in the kitchen to watch how she mixed the ingredients together, I went about my own way…

To this day, I can’t get the right combination together to replicate her sauce or even come close. Had I just stayed in the kitchen that day, asked for the recipe, and been ready to listen….I may have learned her secret recipe.

This story reminds me to eagerly seek and get wisdom while it can be found, as God’s Word encourages us to. Often times that counsel may come in the form of a person, who as my grandmother would tell us, “has lived a lot longer”. However, our primary source of wisdom comes from the Lord (Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 2:6). To receive such wisdom, we have to humbly accept that we don’t know everything, position ourselves to receive such counsel, and be willing to receive it – even if it’s not what we want to hear…seizing every opportunity to learn from those that have gone before us.

“One generation commends Your works to another; they tell of Your mighty acts.”

-Psalm 145:4

Secret Recipe for Wisdom:

(thoroughly tested and approved)

Stay: Take advantage of every learning opportunity. It’s worth it.

“She has a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said….Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.”

-Luke 10:39, 41 NIV

Ask: If you don’t know, ask!

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. “

-James 1:5 NIV

Be Ready: Be open and receptive to hear.

“So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if He calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ “ So Samuel went and lay down in his place.”

-1 Samuel 3:9 NIV

For the secret ingredient, check out Proverbs 1. Enjoy!

Forever Grateful,

J

It’s Handled

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I loved Olivia Pope. Probably not for the reasons that others may identify with but because she embodied what I wanted to be or thought I could be…a fixer. I love trying to fix things, including other people’s messes. There’s something about vainly trying to put together someone else’s broken pieces, attempting to clean up their dirty areas, that distract you from your own.

Anyone that followed the show, knows that Ms.Pope is a high-powered fixer. Folks get in a jam…no matter the size…they go see Olivia and it’s “It’s Handled”. The tragedy of her character though was that she was a mess. Polished hair…to die for curls, perfectly tailored suits, laid silk blouses, flawless makeup but inside she was tormented. Her life filled with issue after issue…daddy issues, mommy issues, a wrecked loved life, insecurities…all things you may not consider she was facing if you were to judge her outward appearance and how much she “handled”. 

Fixing is not a job for me, nor is it one for Olivia Pope, or any other human being for that matter. The only fixer that truly works is a Man who was a Carpenter by trade – a Master One. His fixes last. He builds to sustain the pressures of this life. His name is Jesus. WE might think we know all of the answers, have all of the fixes, or our ways are right. It’s nothing compared to what He can do for us. He already handled it. Leave all the fixing to Him. 

Forever Grateful,

J

 

stainless steel close wrench on spanner

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Insecure

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I have always struggled with insecurity. Fear of what other people thought about me, how they viewed me, how I measured up in their eyes. Even as a Christian, that fear can be debilitating. Keeping us from reaching our full potential as followers of Christ – limiting our use for kingdom advancement even limiting our church attendance and participation in corporate worship. Too often we find ourselves measuring our own growth against our brother and sister’s outward spiritual maturity. When we should be measuring ourselves according to God’s word and our love for Him.

One biblical sister that I admire for her lack of regard for others opinions, is the woman with the alabaster jar. Luke tells us of a very sinful woman who came to the exact place where she knew she would be ridiculed just to see her Savior. This woman took all that she had to offer – a bottle of expensive perfume equal to a full years wages at that time – even though others thought she should have saved it. This same woman burst through the home of a man interrupting a feast filled to capacity with onlookers ready to get their gossip on. Desperate for Jesus, desperate to worship, desperate for forgiveness. This woman violated numerous moral codes – letting down her hair, wiping a man’s feet with it – in public for everyone to see.

“When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” Luke 7:36-39 NIV

This woman’s desire, desperation and drive motivated her far beyond the opinions of those in the room. She knew they didn’t think much of her, she knew they didn’t feel that she was worthy to be in the same room as Jesus, but she pressed ahead because she knew the One that she was going to see loved her ….regardless of her sinful condition. Imagine if she would have been intimated by their opinions? Imagine if she would have been paralyzed by her insecurity? Imagine if she would have caved under her own expectations of what that moment should have been like instead of seizing it for a time of true worship, of true intimacy with the Savior? Her act was the only recorded act of open worship of Jesus during His time on earth. Not only does does Jesus commend the woman for her faith, He promises her that wherever the gospel is preached her story will be told (Matthew 26:13). What a wonderful model that she left for us. If Jesus wanted this story to be shared and told for ages to come, can you imagine how important it is for Him for us to be who we were created to be – unashamed, unembarrassed, holding back nothing? He wants us to come to Him just as we are. As we seek Him, as we worship Him, as we praise Him, as we honor Him, He will honor us…..Our testimonies of overcoming will be shared for years to come. When we look at at this story we also see how she was willing to go above and beyond with those that were in Jesus’ presence even dared or thought to do. They thought that it was just enough to host Jesus, to sit at the table with Him. He desired more.

Is your insecurity limiting your availability for kingdom advancement? Is your fear from who you used to be hindering you from using the gifts and talents that you have to honor God? Is what other’s opinion’s of you keeping you from moving forward in your worship, in your ministry, in your marriage, parenting or occupation?

Burst through those doors, burst through those ceilings, honor God by honoring who He made you to be. He knows it all, the past, the present and the future and His love for you and purpose for you – is unmoved, unchanged, and unfailing.

Forever Grateful,

J

Who’s Your Daddy?

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dad·dyˈdadē/nouninformal

1. one’s father. • the oldest, best, or biggest example of something.

After rededicating my life to the Lord, I would spend my Saturday mornings in worship and devotion, which I referred to as my Daddy-daughter time. I would have the best fellowship with the my Heavenly Father that I had all week. No time restraints, a free flowing time of prayer, worship, reflection, journaling, mixed with tears, laughter, sometimes even frustration and anger, on a few occasions even falling into a sweet sleep – just like a child on the lap of their daddy (just keeping it real). Though each time was different, I looked forward to my Daddy-daughter time.

I remember sharing this with people – some were excited about it, motivated to adjusting or even starting their own personal time…others kind of gave me the side eye as if I was totally crazy (probably like some of you reading this) – once even being told our Father was too holy to be addressed in such a familiar way after all He is the Great I Am, the Alpha and Omega, the Holy One, the Majestic One, the Most High seated on high. Even as I googled the word ‘daddy’ today, I came across a comment that read: “it’s slang and I don’t like when preachers use that term for MY God”.

I came very close to allowing this comment to affect my worship and the way I approached our Heavenly Father but I remembered why Jesus came to earth. He came not only to save me but so that I could have access — direct access — to the Father. So that we would all be able to have an intimate relationship with the Most High. Yes, I serve a holy, righteous, reverent God, belonging to the Great I Am. But I’m also a Daddy’s girl. As a girl who has all of my life loved and craved the attention and affection from my earthy father….what a wonderful thing to have the unfailing, unconditional, and unbreakable love of a Heavenly Father. To be able to sit at His feet, to tell Him about the hurt, the pain, the struggles. For Him to lift up my head and say, it’s okay I got you and I still love you. To give him my little love and for Him to return His great love. He will always be my Daddy, no matter how old I get….

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3-4