Grab That Ax and Let's Get Chopping

I can't do that.

I'm not smart enough.

I'm too busy.

What if I go and never get married?

My past is to dark.

You know, we come up with a lot of excuses. God calls, and we become afraid, so we hide behind the shrubs of these lies. We find comfort in the state we are in because it involves no pain, no confusion, and no fear.

It also includes no growth, no impact, no victory, no revival. 

So how's that going for you? Are you willing to look at the cross, see lost souls dying, only to crawl your way back, right behind the shrubs of those lies? Because I know I have done it. It's nice back here. There is shade and I think if I can stretch out my arm far enough I can probably reach some grapes or something.

So God calls.

Will you go? Will you hide? In all reality, God's not on His knees begging you to do it, as if you're the only one. 

No.

If you don't do it, He'll send someone else. But He called you. He called you because He not only wants to make an impact in those lost souls- He wants to make an impact in you. 

So maybe you're not qualified to do the one thing He's called you to. I am certain the reason He does this is so that it can be known among all that it was not you who did this great thing, but God Almighty. 

And I'm about to tell you something, so hold onto your socks because this leaves room for no more excuses.

"God is not looking for ability, but availability," (Holly Wagner).

Where He's calling you will stir up some fear. It will make you cry, and your heart will pound a thousand miles a minute. But when you are at your weakest, that is when God shows up and shows off. 

So I am raising my hand. Send me, God. I am pulling out my largest ax and chopping down these shrubs of condemning lies. (because I own a variety of axes). Shoot, I'm grabbing the shovel and digging out those roots too, because I will not let these lies exist in my life any longer.

God is calling me and He is calling you. 

So look around. Where is God already working in your life? Join Him there. It's not about what great thing you can do, but what great thing He's already doing. That's where we need to be. 

You need to love, because the scowl on your face is not becoming on you.

You need to sing, because your life-song is leading others into the throne room of God.

You need to speak, because when you open up your mouth diamonds come rolling out.

You need to lead, because there is an army rising up, and someone needs to go first.

You need to listen, because no one has ever taken the time to listen to that young lady's story.

You need to fight, because we are on the winning team and we are about to take that land. 

And you need to go. Because He has called you.

He has called you. 

"For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you," (1 Thessalonians 1: 4 NIV).

"He has saved us and called us to a holy life- not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace..." (2 Timothy 1: 9 NIV) 

"Look at the nations and watch- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told," (Habakkuk 1: 5 NIV). 

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Valentine's Day Gone Totally WWWWRight.

  

What did you do this Valentine's Day?

Did you go out with a date- the one you've been crushing on for- like- ever, who finally gained the courage to ask you? Were you someone's Valentine? Did you spend it with your husband who made you feel super loved? If so, us single ladies all envy you.

Were you alone this Valentine's Day? I was, relationship-wise. And you know what? That's okay.

I could have stayed home, asked my dog to be my Valentine and watched chic flics as I scooped three different flavors of Ben and Jerry's into my face. Yup, could have happened. And to be honest, it has in the past.

But this year, I decided to handle Valentines Day a little different.

I said I wanted to step out. To serve God and be used. So?

Three weeks ago a decision was made to put together a young girls Valentine Banquet.

We called it The King's Daughter after the verse "The King's daughter is all glorious within," (Psalms 45:13).

And boy, did He show up.

Putting it all together and planning it was stressful and time consuming and completely draining. There were plenty of times when I decided we should just call it quits. But God had a message to give to His daughter's, and I just pray we were able to send that message to them.

Whether it be the way the flowers sat before them, or the jars of candy they received. Whether they got it by the background music or the lights that strung above them. Maybe it was the actual message given or the prizes they received from the games.

Going into this banquet I was a bit stressed and worried, because there would be girls coming who needed to hear from God, and I didn't feel I could give them what they needed.

And I couldn't.

Only God could. So with prayer and love, we gave them what we could. Material things like above. Hoping that in the midst of it all, God would show up and wrap His arms around His daughter's reminding them of His infinite love and grace.

Hoping that, between all the giggling and frosting and songs and fun, He would be near, reminding His daughter's that He sees them and knows their desires and cares enough to give us His best.

So, relationship-wise, I was alone this Valentine's Day. But spiritually-wise, the Lord was near and completely present.

If you forgot about the Lord yesterday, it's not too late. You can give Him everything today too, and all the days that follow.

Close Enough to Whisper

Oh, I know I haven't blogged in a long time. I'm not going to make excuses (mostly because I can't think of any). I'm just going to move forward and begin by telling you something the Lord has recently taught me.

I was asked to do a devotional for the worship team during one of our bible studies. I looked at a particular passage for a long time. I begged God to show me what he was trying to say in this particular verse, but He didn't show me till the end of the message, when I was finally able to show everyone my crazy revelation.

"Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper," (1 Kings 19: 11b-12).

Now, this wasn't the only thing I was talking on. I was talking about all of 1 Kings 19: 9b-18, but this verse was really stumbling me. I didn't even want to attempt at teaching on it, because whatever I would have said, would never have glorified God in the way that He intended it to.

When I first read this verse, it looked like a message that God mostly speaks to us in a still small voice, and not in the crazy big things. It looked like a message that we need to listen for his quiet voice instead of only searching for it in the big things.

But that didn't seem right, and I knew that that was not what He was trying to say.

If the Lord wasn't in the great, powerful wind that tore up the mountains and shattered rocks, then where was He? If He wasn't in the earthquake or the fire, then where could He have been? In heaven?

I rejoice now, because I know this was not the case. We serve a personal God. One who longs to be close to us and comfort us the way Elijah needed comfort in this passage.

When someone whispers, can you hear it from across the room? No, you can't. When someone whispers they have to be close, and it's for your ears only that they intend those words.

For this reason, I am convinced that when God sent the wind, the earthquake and the fire, He wasn't in heaven or some far off place.

He was standing right beside Elijah the entire time.

And while Elijah questioned God and feared for his life because Jezebel swore to take it, God didn't rebuke him for his lack of faith. He didn't yell at him or become angry for his doubt. He stood beside him and reminded him of all He could do.

Look at that, did you see that? All that I can do? I know that you're scared and that you've become discouraged. But I am still God and I still have a plan. Are you still in?

We serve a personal God. He's not far away yelling at us and telling us to have more faith. He's not only with those who are righteous and holy. He doesn't look at us every morning and decide if we're worth His time today.

No, our God is close enough to whisper.

Becoming Beautiful | Journey Into Speaking

Wow! I finally have an hour to myself! I don't know about you, but my schedule has been insane.

About a month ago, I was asked to co-teach a workshop at the Becoming Brave Conference. Oh, and the topic? Thanks for asking:

Becoming Beautiful.

In no way did I feel qualified enough to speak on this topic, because for one, I'm only seventeen. And for two, this is stuff I struggle with myself. We really had to dig deep into what it really means to be beautiful, and it's completely put me in check.

At first, I didn't want to speak. I thought people wouldn't listen to someone their age. Maybe they'd think I thought I knew everything (which I definitely do not).

So, I just thought I could help JoAnna get stuff together and then let her speak. But you know what happened?

I opened up my bible and I believe God was speaking to me.

"Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city," (Acts 18:9-10).

God's been growing me like crazy lately. I spoke on the topic at a bible study, and I know I'm not the best speaker. I stutter and loose my track of thought, but if God speaks even to one person through me, what I've done was worth it.

I want to do the things The Lord wants me to. Most of the time, the things he asks are scary- really scary (or so I've noticed)- but completely worth it in the end. Let's become brave and do something. I need to learn to see the opportunities God places in my life, and then act on it.

Listen to Paul's words:

"I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me  that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task The Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace," (Acts 20:23-24). 

Be brave and listen to the voice of the One who calls you daughter.