He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness  MALACHI 3:3

I want you to know that at times I wonder, if it's possible that when we don't hear from God, that the Lord is being that Refiner and Purifier that sits closely by in our lives - silent, while He continues to mold us into the person that He created us to be - constantly preparing us for our true purpose, along with all the unfinished work that He has placed in front of us.

Could it be that He's equipping and readying us, so we don't spend all our time trying to "clarify" God's meaning, when it comes to the mission that He has for us, or even worse, being faithless, while
allowing ourselves to grow doubtful and be paralyzed by fear - when God is simply telling us: "Just go!"

Have we forgotten that the Bible says that for four-hundred years - God was silent? And this silence took place from the recording of Malachi all the way through to the gospel of Matthew. Keep in mind that one word from God - wasn't heard during this time. So what was God doing for the four-hundred years, while He was being silent? Just like the refiner and purifier that I'd mentioned earlier, when God was being silent, He was still working on our behalf.

Once the purification season process is over, all that remains is that "tremendous void" that was left behind from the things that God had removed from your life. And there's only one person who can fill a void of this magnitude, and that's Jesus Christ.


David said "Create in me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me." -- (Psalms 51:10)

In order for us to accomplish this, God places us in the hottest part of the fire, while He watches silently, as the sinful dust of this world, and the lust of our eyes, and our prideful ways, melts off of us and fall into that "fire." That we should: "Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations." -- (James 1:2)

Know that God is that Refiner and Purifier within our life, and although He silently sits nearby, make no mistake, God is still working on our behalf. Start today by making your life an offering in righteousness to Him, and "Just go and beweeve!"

IS CHILDHOOD BECOMING OBSOLETE?

Do you ever wonder if childhood is becoming obsolete?  Seriously, with all the new age parenting and the government’s regulations on everything from what we eat to what we are allowed to play with to the litigation factor and lawsuits popping up over jungle gyms, monkey bars, tree houses and lawn darts, it seems as though parents are being more and more involved in what their kids are eating, what their kids are doing outside, and how their kids are experiencing life!  Not that I am suggesting parents shouldn’t be involved…of course they should.  But seriously, have we gotten a little over zealous in controlling every little move our kids make?  Heck, they can’t even have a lemonade stand anymore without the city zoning commissioner getting involved! 

It concerns me that I never hear phrases anymore like: “I fell out of my bunk bed last night.”  Or “I got a tummy ache because I had too many bowls of ice cream.”  I don’t know when was the last time I heard a little kid tell me, “I flipped off the monkey bars and had to get some stitches.” 

My kids went through each of these events and then some.  But it seems more and more we are becoming paranoid parents, almost wrapping our children up in bubble wrap and exposing them to a world of nothingness and no adventure or imagination whatsoever.  Yet, we think they are safe because they are sitting in front of the computer or television playing video games.  Have you really seen what goes on in some of those video games?  I'm pretty sure that is NOT good for our kids.

Shouldn’t their little hands smell like lightening bugs?  Would it really be the end of the world if they sold $3.00 worth of watered down lemonade without a permit?  And if they color a picture of Jesus and take it to show and tell is that really something that will bring down the nation?  Okay..maybe I’m getting a little extreme, but come on.  Where has common sense gone these days?  We aren’t protecting our kids with this silliness, we are depriving them of one of the greatest parts of life…being a child!

You would think at 53 years of age I would have a better handle on life. I wouldn't be so easily brought to tears or have my heart broken into millions of little pieces. You would think by now I would be able to guard my heart, restrain my tears and handle life with little difficulty and worry. That's what one would think...but that is not the case.

Reality is that I have cried many tears, my heart breaks, and still I need time on my face before God in prayer requesting forgiveness, wisdom and guidance on a regular basis!

Life has a way of sneaking up on you. You think you are going along just fine and then BOOM something happens that makes you wonder if you can keep going, even for just one more day.

Over the past few weeks I have watched so many solid Christian people go through some of the most horrific circumstances possible. I have listened to other Christians whose hearts have been hurt by fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, and others go through the agony of trying to make the 'right decision" for their lives.

I think we have all felt the pain of rejection a time or two, and have been disappointed and hurt by people we thought loved us and cared about us.  I would even go far to say that I wonder if God is even paying attention because it seems that, at times, He is very quiet and doesn't seem to be working in a certain situation.

Normally, I write about things that are not quite as depressing, and it is not my intention to depress you now. But I think there are many people out there who are trying to live the perfect Christian life and pretend that all is well, but inside they too have broken hearts. They too cry into their pillows at night out of pain that comes from living in this fallen world. The reason I share this personal moment with you now is only because we need to learn be authentic with one another.

I rejoice in Christ and all He has done and continues to do in my life and the lives of my brothers and sisters in Christ, but I feel the need to be on my knees a little more these days in prayer and conversation with God. People are hurting. Christians are hurting. This is NOT God's plan. This is the enemy who wants nothing more than to destroy each and every one of us. God wants us to live life and live it to the fullest. He sent His only Son to die on a cross so that we may have life and have it abundantly, not just in heaven but here on earth! Are we claiming the things He died to give us? It is so easy to get caught up in the tragedies of life and start focusing on all the difficulties and challenges around us instead of taking stock in all the blessings God has given us throughout our lives!

My heart is heavy...I hate it when people are hurting and the devil is on a rampage. But I refuse to give in and give up! I will continue to pray for those I have had the privilege of ministering to and hearing their stories. I will continue to love people, even the ones that seem unloveable. I will continue to speak truth about God and His love for us. His grace and mercy towards us. I will continue to warn those who choose to "tear down" instead of "build up" their brothers and sisters in Christ that there is a price to pay for such action. I am not perfect. I am not great. I am greatly forgiven!!! I am not the one to focus on...Jesus is!! The situation is not what we are to dwell on..God is!! The words of men are not what we need to listen to...it is the Word of God!!

Being a follower of Jesus Christ is not an easy journey. In fact, it is at times a struggle, painful and downright frustrating. But I would much rather live my life on this earth with Christ then without Him. Being a follower of Jesus Christ means I do nothing alone. He carries me when I cannot walk. He give me joy when there is nothing to be happy about. He leaves me His peace when everything around me is in chaos.

Beloved, do not hurt one another. Do not judge one another. LOVE ONE ANOTHER...as Christ has first loved you! Be aware that there is an enemy of your soul out to destroy you. He wants nothing more then to pull the brethren of the church apart. As long as he can get us to focus on one another's sin and shortcomings, instead of loving one another and encouraging one another to do better and keep going, he gains ground. I pray we won't give him one more inch!

For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

ECCLESIASTES 4:10

RESTING IN PRAYER AND PRAISE

Have you ever been criticized for your faith? Has anyone ever said to you that you are wasting time by praying and seeking the Lord’s wisdom and guidance, when you should be taking action to overcome whatever adversity you are facing? I have. I have been in situations when I knew something had to be done, I knew I was going to have to make a decision, but I was not prepared, nor willing, to make that decision without first praying about it and seeking God’s guidance. I think we forget sometimes that “praying” is doing something! It is probably the most important thing we can do in any situation. That’s why I am always amazed when I hear people say, ‘Well, I guess all we can do is pray.” Well, duh!  That's the very FIRST THING we should do!

When the voices around us start telling us there is no hope, there is no way out, we need not grow weary or weak in our faith and in our prayers. These outward voices, and the inward voice of the enemy, can sometimes cause us to be tempted to give up or react in a way that is not God’s way. When these struggles occur, instead of trying to answer back or argue we need to pause. Or as the Bible calls it “selah”.

We need to look away from ourselves, away from the enemy and look up! Pause and focus on God!!

Some believe that the word “selah” signifies also a sudden burst of musical instruments and then a pause. The pause was for a time of praise.

How amazing would it be if we all filled our pauses with praise! Today let me encourage you to give all that lies within you, not to the voices that tell you it can’t be done, there is no hope, and, you are wasting your time by praying to God, but I want to encourage you to engage in pure praise, in pure loving adoration of the Lord, and let’s worship from a grateful heart, a heart that is trained to look up!!

Many are saying of me, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

Psalm 3:3-4

HOW WOULD JESUS ACT?

 

I was running errands and I first stopped at a fast food drive-thru to get some lunch. When I was greeted at the drive thru menu board and gave my order I thought to m yself, "Boy, this girl on the mic is not enjoying her day at all!" When I got up to the window I noticed she had the sourest look on her face, she seemed very angry, and did not want to engage in any conversation with me whatsoever. I didn't even get asked, "Do you want fries with that? or "Would like 2 for a dollar?"  When I asked for an extra package of ketchup I thought she may reach her hand through my car window and choke the living life right out of me!!!  Holy moly, it's just a pack of ketchup.  I didn't even ask for sweetener for the tea.  Too dangerous.

After I got my order I proceeded to drive next door to wash my car. When I pulled up to the automatic wash bay, a gentleman came out with a big smile on his face and said hello. He helped me place my coins into the machine and he also shared with me how I could save money on my car washes in the future. He then proceeded to notice that I had a lot of bugs on the car's grill and bumper and told me to wait a minute so that he could spray some "special soap" on my car to help get the bugs off. Then...he told me to go through the car wash bay and if the atuomatic wash did not clean off all the bugs he would then use the hand pressure wand to clean them off so my car was totally clean! Afterwards, he did in fact, hand clean off my car and proceeded to thank me for choosing his car wash! Wow! Talk about being a servant and cheerful at the same time.  What a contrast.

I hate to admit it but I did find myself in bit of judgement as I thought to myself, "I bet he is a Christian and that girl at the fast food place probably doesn't know the Lord!"

I learned in this experience that no matter what we find ourselves doing we need to do it all with excellence as unto the Lord! We need to be a light in a dark world. We need to smile more...care more...laugh more and enjoy our lives more! Jesus did not die on that cross at Calvary so we could be miserable...He died on that cross so we could have life here and in heaven and to have it abundantly!

Whatever you are doing do it with the joy of Christ! Treat others as you woud want to be treated and live as Jesus lived...love your neighbors. If we would all do that...the world would be a better place.  Oh, and Mondays are no excuse to be in a bad mood.  LOL  Just sayin.

 

MAKING A JOYFUL NOISE IN THE KEY OF Q

When you are in the radio business you are in the music business. Which means you hear great singers all the time. Sometimes you even get the opportunity to meet them and watch “in person” sing their songs unto God in worship.

On Sundays when I got to church, I am always amazed by the level of talent that exist when it comes to singing and how the worship leader and the praise team sings such a beautiful melody with ease and leads the rest of the congregation into a time or praise and worship.

I find myself, at times, wondering, “God, I can’t carry a tune in a bucket….are you sure you meant what it says in the Psalms…we are ALL to make a joyful noise, because I don’t know how wonderful I’m going to sound to you, I sing in the key of Q God!” But of course, the Lord meant what is said in Psalm 98:4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth,break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

As I meditate on this Scripture this is what I hear: It says “joyful” which indicates to me it is not the musical expertise God is looking for..but the state of our heart. It says “noise” which tells me that in some cases that is just what it will sound like to the human ear, but to God, because it comes from a state of joy in Him in our heart it is pleasing!

I remember a man sharing with me one time that when his son decided to take up the trumpet and follow in his footsteps the dad said it sounded anything but good. But the boy kept practicing and practicing until one day when he was in the marching bad out on the field, the band turned toward the dad in the stands and played. The father of this young man said he could pick out his son’s sound immediately, as tears began to run down his cheek, he was so proud of his son. Granted, his son was not the best trumpet player, but he was still pleased at his effort and determination. His son enjoyed playing and his heart was in it.

I think God feels the same way about us. When we lift up our voices in praise and worship to Him he can “pick out his children” among all the rest of the “noise” and it makes Him happy and He finds it pleasing.

So , crank up the radio and sing along with Franny Batestelli or Chris Tomlin. On Sunday, don’t just move your lips, make a joyful noise and give your voice to God!

And if you are one of those people who can sing…the next time the person next to you sings a little off-key, instead of complaining, simply smile and remember, it is their “joyful noise”!

TREASURES IN THE SHAPE OF SCARS

I have several scars on my body. I think most of us if asked would say that we do have one or two, if not more scars somewhere on our bodies and we can usually remember where they came from. For example, I have a little scare below my bottom lip that I received when I was disobeying my mom and climbing up on the kitchen counter as a little girl and I fell and split my lip open on a metal stool. I also have a scar on my shin where I fell off of my bike as a kid when they took off my training wheels. I also have a few other scars that are not quite as humorous. Such as the one on my hand that I received when I had lost my temper while holding a bunch of metal clothes hangers and when I tried to throw them down one of the hangers ripped into my skin and left a scar on my hand.

Perhaps the most painful scars I have, however, are the ones you can’t see. You know the ones I'm talking about. We all have them. They are the scars on our hearts and in our souls. The scar of rejection from a mother that suffered from depression and didn't know how to love me; the scar of growing up in a home riddled with verbal abuse and guilt; the scar of disappointment at the loss of a child or a spouse; the scar of broken dreams.

We receive scars in one of two ways: what has been done to us by other people or what has been done through us by our own mistakes and failures. Either way, I believe that scars are not something that we need to hide or be ashamed of, but rather an invitation to share the healing power of Jesus Christ with a hurting world. For a scar, by its very definition, implies healing.

Perhaps you've never thought of the wounds in your life as potential treasures. The Bible tells us, "Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story" (Psalm 107:2). Your story may be one of your greatest treasures. Share your story and let others know that you have made mistakes, you have been hurt, but Jesus brought you through it all!  

• Do you have some scars on your body that are comical?
• Do you have some scars on your body that represent a deep hurt from your past?
• Do you have some scars on your soul that represent a story to tell? A story of healing or redemption? If so, consider telling someone today!