I Will Follow Christ

Run the Race

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ~~ 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, NIV

My son, Chase, runs on the cross country team. He’s been training since early October and working hard to win a prize. His coaches told me he has a lot of heart and works hard, but he has one drawback—his short legs.

Chase has not let his stature become a hindrance to him. He pursues his goal to win a prize as he thrives on competition. He enjoys sports and let's nothing deter him.

I was blessed to travel to the cross country meet this past Saturday on a ranch. What really blessed me was prior to his team’s start, the voluntarily boys huddled together in prayer. I overheard them reciting the Lord’s Prayer.

Then they lined up. On your mark, get set, GO! BAM the gun signaled the start of the race. Chase started off hard. The two-mile course on the rough terrain yielded rocks and low water crossings. About eleven minutes later, I saw the first blue/white shirts on the horizon. But where’s Chase?

I started to get a bit worried when some runners came in front of Chase as he’s usually in front of them. Finally here he came. Running with all his might, he came in and finished. He won a prize—a medal.

Chase showed me his skinned up knee. He fell on the course and he said he sat there for a little while, but then he decided to get up and finish the race. He did not want to ride in on the cart.

Isn’t that how we’re to be as believers in Christ? We prepare; we run. For our training, we study the Word of God, spend time in prayer and worship with our Lord. Then we go out and run our course.

When we run our race, we may fall down. Perhaps we said something we should not have said. Or watched a television show not meant for our eyes. There are a myriad of ways we can fall. Yet God’s word states, “for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again” (Proverbs 24:16 NIV). We can either let those things bring us down, or we can pick ourselves up and move forward. Let’s rise up like Chase did in this past race and finish the course.

Chase’s medal is only temporary, but the prize we run for “will last forever.” Run the race God set before you!

You're Right

One afternoon my husband, Eldon and I were out grocery shopping together. He saw a display of Trail Mix and decided that would make a great snack. Then he commented to me, "You'll probably eat all the M&M's and leave me only the nuts and raisins."

After a few days, Eldon sat down in his easy chair with the bag of trail mix he waited to enjoy. As he started snacking away on the nuts and raisins, he said, "All the M&M's are gone."

"You're right," I stated, "And since I want you to be right, I removed the M&M's and ate them."

Wednesday Worship--Indescribable

Amazing God

Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today. ~~Luke 5:26, NIV

I attended the Living the Life women’s conference this past weekend in Corpus Christi, Texas. This event was AMAZING.

“Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God.” We were “fill with awe and said, ‘We have seen remarkable things today.’” God’s glory filled the Selena Auditorium this weekend. Women made decisions to follow Christ and draw closer to Him!

My friend, Esther and I traveled the five hours there on Friday. Esther drove the whole way. Once we arrived in Corpus, we checked into the hotel, freshened up and stopped at a fast food place to grab a bite before the evening conference started. Perhaps this next part was a clue to how the weekend would turn out. She pulled her van into the handicap parking, so being the good friend that I am stated, “Just because it says van accessible doesn’t mean you can park here.” Laughter burst out of both of us. We couldn’t contain ourselves. God is amazing!

The last speaker for the evening, Tonya Webber, spoke about Jesus as our playmate. The message was about having childlike faith and having fun in the Lord. We blew bubbles as we heard about the joy of the Lord. Esther had trouble with her bubbles, as they would not fly up, but fall to the floor. We rationalized that her bubbles were overweight. We couldn’t contain our laughter. God is amazing!

As an editor for Take Root and Write (TRW), I passed out flyers for our online magazine. After the evening session, a woman came up to me to ask about the flyer. I told her about it and she told me she was just accepted to write for Take Root and Write. Alisa Hope was so excited to meet me and I was excited to meet her. And I learned it is her twin sister, Crissy that is re-doing my blog! That was a kiss from God show each of us we were in the right place. God is amazing!

Saturday morning was just as phenomenal. We arrived, prayed with the Living the Life team. Then Esther and I went with Tonya to set up the PowerPoint for the breakout session. This session was on Vibrant Relationships where Rochelle, Tonya and I were speaking. Earlier this year while planning, Tonya wanted to use PowerPoint as she is a visual person and wanted others to see the presentation visually as well as hear us. So she procured the screen, projector and laptop. Thank God Esther was there as she’s learned in her new job how to use LCD projectors. Esther set up the screen, projector and made necessary adjustments for the presentation. Without her help, I don’t think the PowerPoint would have been used. Thank you Esther! Esther was meant to be there for “such a time as this.” God is amazing!

I needed to laugh. I needed the messages I heard. And I needed to see God work through others in such beautiful ways. There’s so much more, but don’t have the space to share here. I want to thank the LTL team, the James Roots band, and all the wonderful volunteers that worked so hard to make the conference a success! God is amazing!

We don’t have to go to a conference to see God do amazing things. We can be filled with awe as we see God work in our everyday lives. Please share your Amazing God stories in the comments.

Overwhelmed?

“. . .When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2, NIV).

In a matter of weeks, my lifestyle changed drastically. It’s not that it’s hard, I am just not used to working so much. I had become accustomed to having lots more leisure time and now that spare time is gone.

My youngest child returned to public school. I thought I would have lots more time, but I realize now after three weeks of school that it’s just as much effort as homeschooling (though in a different way with after school activities and homework).

I registered for college classes. The last time I took college classes, it was easy—that was about 15 years ago. I put off college to raise my boys. Now one is on his own, I thought the classes would be easy. What I didn’t consider was the fact that my memory retention isn’t what it used to be. I have to put much more effort into it now. But I quote scripture confessing that I have “the mind of Christ” (1 Cor 2:16) and “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).

Writing a Bible study and teaching is my greatest passion. I have much more respect for Bible teachers who write their own curriculum as I pour my heart into this project. God’s word is life changing and I pray that those, to whom God allows me to minister, will soak in His Word and allow Him to change their lives.

Then I have the writing and editorial duties. I love it! God is so amazing at how He works through His people. Then I accepted another role as an editorial assistant. (You probably think I’m crazy by now, but I believe it’s my calling to accept.)

I realized with all these activities, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. I felt it last week, and I had to run to Christ—my Rock and Redeemer. We can become overwhelmed physically as well as in our innermost being—our hearts, the soul. I found my rest in Christ where He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-20, NIV).

Only in Jesus, do we find rest and relief from the overwhelming situations. I found it meditating on His word and learning to take time to physically rest. When I tried to be like the Energizer Bunny, I broke down.

Let’s remember to run to the Rock higher than us; run to Jesus in Whom we find rest. He energizes our overwhelmed hearts.

9/11 Tribute

Today I selected a song by Daryl Worley titled "Have You Forgotten?" Let's always remember to pray for our nation and those who sacrifice their lives for our safety.

The Hedge

Today you can find my Totally Transplanted post at TakeRootandWrite.com. Here's a sample:

Where I grew up in West Texas, a row of evergreen trees concealed the house on one side or perhaps all the way around it. These trees provided a wind break as strong winds are prevalent on the plains and those winds stir up lots of dust. Farmers plant these hedges to protect their homes. Most of the hedges I remember were much taller than the home itself, providing a barrier from the cold winds. Many hedges can grow so tall and dense that they’re impossible to penetrate. Smaller garden hedges repel small animals from consuming the foliage. Hedges are also a more attractive barrier than fences.

To live Totally Transplanted lives, we need hedges in our lives. Hedges provide protection in two ways. First, it keeps predators away from us. Animals such as rabbits and deer seek out food from gardens. If a hedge exists, they’ll look for a breach to break through in order to consume the plants. Our enemy, the devil seeks out ways to break through the hedge the Lord put around us to protect us.

Do you remember Job? In the first book of Job, Satan presented himself to God and God asked Satan if he considered His servant Job. Satan responded that Job feared God because of His wealth.

"So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land” (Job 1:9-10, NKJV).

To continue reading this column, click here.

Engrafted by His Grace--

Back to School

Today you can find my Purely Personality Post at TakeRootandWrite.com. Here's the beginning:

Well, it's finally here! Back to school our children go. Some mothers are relieved as they will have time to make the hair and nail appointments they've put off to spend time with the kiddos. Other mom's will be missing their little ones throughout the day. Regardless of which one we are, the kids are back in school (unless you're a homeschooling mom then you're still with those little blessings all day).

After homeschooling my youngest son, Chase, for the past five years, he returned to the public school system for the seventh grade. He's very athletic and competitive. Our state does not allow homeschooled children to participate in University Interscholastic League (UIL). Because of that, we enrolled him in school so he could participate in UIL competitions.

Last week we attended orientation to be briefed on rules and, most importantly, receive the classroom schedule. Did he get the classes he signed up for? Yes! Except one, but we didn't request a change since all the important classes were fine. At the orientation, nearly one thousand students and parents filled the school. I loved watching how all the different personalities behaved.

To read my observations on each personality, click here.

Engrafted by His Grace--