Naked but Covered

     This week I am on an adventure that I have been preparing for months in advance.  I am up at BayShore Camp preparing to get together with a group of girls coming from all over, for volleyball camp.  BayShore Camp is the Christian camp that has really been a legacy in the making for my family starting with my Grandma Wise who has since gone on to be with the Lord, and has moved through my family, and now my own kids attend.  This year BayShore will celebrate 100 years as a Christian Camp and Family Ministry.  As awesome as that is, however, more importantly, it was at BayShore Camp that I asked Jesus into my heart at age 9, and thus my personal relationship with Him began.  I have been part of BayShore's camps for as long as I remember, first as a camper and then to anything from Athletic Director to counselor, to Co-Dean, to Head Coach at various camps over the years.  This week is a week, however, that I will be wearing various hats.  Along with coaching, I will also be speaking as well as leading worship.  Although these are all things I have all done before in different realms, I have been spoiled with having live musicians for worship, as well as other voices to blend with.  One of the many benefits to this is the "blending" part. :)  Also, if I mess up and feel the "ship sinking", many hands at that point make lighter work.....and usually the "bailing of water" works easily and we are "back a float" without anyone noticing, most of the time. ;)   When you are alone, however,  ...well if the ship starts to go, its you who has to "bail it" alone :).  This week I will have me, myself, I and some tracks to sing with, which will be a first to me to be completely alone to lead worship.
  I have always been a girl who is up to the challenge and I believe in hard work. Praise God I have amazing friends who have not only prepared me physically, but have also helped to guide and prepare me mentally, emotionally and spiritually to be step out alone.  The really cool thing is, however, that I am really not alone.  This experience could very much feel like what it might be like to be thrown naked in front of a crowd.  EEEKK!  However, in 2 Corinthians 12:9 we are told that His Grace is sufficient.

2 Corinthians 12:9 says "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

    So....because His grace is sufficient for me, I KNOW I will be covered in my weakness in just the right amount and in all the right places.  I know it will all be whatever it needs to be for this week of camp as He is strong where I am weak.  Even though at times I may feel naked during my speaking or leading of worship....I'M FULLY COVERED!      AMEN!

Today I Turn 41

     Well today is my 41st birthday.  So many things I could say about my life but I will sum it up with the word "blessed".  God has me on an incredible journey and has surely blessed me along the way with a beautiful family as well as the many adventures He has me on.
       For whatever reason it is 2am and here I sit wide awake.  Often when this happens, it is because the Lord has woken me up to be in prayer.  I have already been at that point tonight, as I have not been to sleep yet this evening/ morning, so instead I have been praying for so many people and situations.   For some odd reason this time I cannot go back to sleep...so here I sit staring at my blog.  Normally when I write, there is a purpose.  I know there will be with this one too as I just continue to write.  As I ask the Lord why I am still awake, the word "anxiety" immediately comes to mind.  So many things on my plate right now....so many good things that my mind is racing over all I need to do.  Some of my friends call that the "administrative" part of me. Ha ha!     Do you ever get that way?  One of the things on my mind is the fact that I am believing for a perfect job for me and my family, as both of my girls will be in school in the fall, and I am believing to get into a school doing something that I love to do, help students in one way or another.  Next I am preparing for a week long camp, in the next couple weeks, where I will be speaking, singing, and also coaching volleyball....all things I love to do and am super excited about it.  Trying to get all my "ducks in a row" for it over the last 6 months, however, has been a challenge while facing two computer crashes and having to start with my notes and music from scratch again.   I have learned, however, the "save it on the flash drive" lesson finally.   I have also recently been invited to a church in Michigan, to lead a praise and worship type service along with my friend Wayne playing guitar and singing, and with my husband Tim at my side, sometime in the next year (the date is pending).    So you see, that even though these are all positive things (stimulus) I am seeing that the anxiety over it all is making my mind race.  For all I know, as you are reading this, maybe you are dealing with your own anxieties in your life caused by your own life's stimulus....either good or bad.    Lets see what the Bible says about anxiety:

An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up” (Proverbs 12:25, NIV).

“I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7)
 (Also see Psalm 55:22-23)

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?’” (Luke 12:22-26, NIV). (Also see Matthew 6:25-34)

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5).

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” (Proverbs 3:5-8).

“…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:26-28).

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

2 Corinthians 11:23-12:10).

“So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:6).

“…put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 131:1)

   So the Bible is very clear on dealing with anxiety in saying that we are not to carry it, but instead we are to cast all of our cares on Him.  He also reminds us that we can do all things through Christ who is the One who gives us the strength we need in order to accomplish what has been laid in front of us.  Praise God for His promises!!!    So when those anxieties come...we need to cast those thoughts away and instead stay focused on and say aloud His promises and claim them right into our lives.  So SPEAK 'EM OUT and step into the ZONE OF FAITH...knowing God has our back.  And with that, I am going to bed to get some sleep. After all, its my birthday!!  ;)     Night all!!

Are You Willing?

What did you want to be when you grew up??  God's dreams are often much bigger than we could imagine for ourselves, or sometimes smaller which is sometimes harder to swallow...let me explain.
Take a look at all the reality shows that are going on today...American Idol, America's Got Talent, Biggest Loser.  We seem to live in a world where the focus is to be that you are only "valuable" if you are only the best at something, or the center of attention etc......  This is a lie from the Devil.      So in our world,  it has been easy to lose sight of our TRUE value in the will of God. 

     In Acts chapter 9, Saul is wreaking havoc in the churches and those following "The Way", throwing people into jail and threatening slaughter.  Because of this, many of the Christians fled to Damascus.  Saul himself received arrest warrants to take to meeting places to arrest those Christ followers and bring them back to Jerusalem.   On his journey he was dazed by a blinding light from heaven that caused him to fall onto the ground and heard "Saul Saul, why are you persecuting me?!"   He said "who art though Lord?"   The Lord said "I am Jesus the one you persecute, now go into the city to straight street to the house of Juda and you will be told what to do next".  The men with him were speechless (they heard the voice and saw nothing).  Saul was blinded.
He went into the city and didn't eat or drink anything for 3 days.  The Lord then spoke to Ananias and told him to go and lay hands on Saul, heal him and baptize him. Ananias was unsure and questioned God.  God told him "GO!  Saul is a chosen vessel to bear my name before Gentiles, Kings and children of Israel.  For I will show him great things he must suffer for my names sake".    Ananias went and did as he was told.  The scales fell off of Saul's eyes, he was baptised and ate.  After this he went to preach Christ in the synagogues.    After this we do not hear anymore from Ananias.   Ananias was called by God to do a job, and God needed him to be obedient. 

        When you look at a door, what is the first thing you notice?  Most people would see the largest part of the door, that part that either leaves an opening, or could close an opening in a wall.  Most of us do not notice the hinges, unless for some reason something bring the hinges to our attention.    In our world, our churches, and all over the place, there are tons of doors and hinges, but I am not talking about the kind on or in buildings.  What is God calling you to be,  a door or a hinge?   The kingdom moves forward based upon how YOU hear Gods voice.  Being a "hinge" may mean less recognition, but are you willing to be great or small for God? "Hinges" often get overlooked or and get less "recognition" than "doors" do, but that does not mean their value is less.   If you have ever noticed, there are usually 2 to 3 hinges with every door.   The truth is, that a door cannot work properly without hinges.     God needs hinges just as much as He needs doors.  In our "American Idol, Americas Next top Model, etc.... world, we often lose sight of that.   So how do we know what God is asking of us?
    God pursues us, He is not passive.  Just like He spoke to and used Ananias, He speaks to us in His Word, prayer times, quiet times, circumstances, and church.  When God communicates to you, you have to adjust to His plan, as Gods plans for your life will probably require some adjustment on your part.  You may have to step out, get over fears,  and get out of your comfort zone and into the faith zone.  So what is God trying to accomplish in your life? Are you willing?  Can you be obedient to the mission?   Where is God working, and how can you be a part of it? 
    You may not see the full effects of being a willing to be a "hinge"  for God until years later, or even until you get to Heaven.   Are you willing?