MIAs should feel like VIPs

How would you feel if you planned a wedding or party and no one showed up? What if the lack of people was because the invitations were never sent?? That is what it is like in churches, lots of preparation is made and consideration for a ton of details but if no one extends invitations to people who need to reach God then what is the point?

We as Christ followers should also be willing to give up our spot on the pew for someone else who is in need. Maybe it isn't just the stranger who is visiting but maybe a person who is so run down with everyday life they need fed more than us. I had the priviledge of taking care of the babies last Sunday in church, what a blessing to see new life and the innocence in their eyes.

As babies do they can fuss a bit till you figure out if they need fed or maybe a diaper change or they just need some loving interaction. I noticed a few people mention well if they don't settle down we will call the parent to come in here. I think it is a good idea to call them as a last resort but not a quick response unless something is wrong. Most of the time you can figure out what is wrong just by paying attention to them. I made it my mission to satisfy their every need so the parents, who probably needed to be spiritually fed, could remain in the service without interuption.

I can only imagine what it is like for them espcially when they are stay at home moms or have multiple kids. I want to serve in any way possible and I feel that requires us to get out of our comfort zones! Whether it is by inviting the same people to church a 100 times or helping those around us I want to be God's hands and feet, his work will always be blessed even if you don't see it happening in the moment.

So treat the MIAs as VIPs when they show up, you never know what it took or takes for them to be in church! Make them feel welcomed and loved!

Jesus - Savior to the world

"You are hope for the hurting, You are life to the dying, You give grace to the broken, You give peace to the searching, Jesus Savior of the World. Your love displayed for all, our chains are gone and hearts set free."

What beautiful lyrics to remind us who God is and what he offers us!

God is with us at all times not just when we want Him to be. Are you living a life worthy of the Holy Lord to be beside you? I am going to work on remembering he is always there not just when I want or need Him but ALWAYS!!!

I want to live a life worthy of Him being with me at all times!

Don't Bash It - Let It Change You

Over the past week or so I have been doing some research just surfing the net, listening to various videos, reading blogs, etc. getting an idea of what others feel/think is the best way to reach the lost and dying. I wasn't too surprised to see all those opposed to the move of God some are even claiming to be Christians but have strong opinions of others that are acting out their faith and creating opportunities for people to meet God and allow Him to change their lives. I wonder if these opinionated people are bench warmers that attend church getting spiritually fat then expecting more rather than giving up their seat in church for someone who doesn't know Jesus and is coming to church as a last ditch effort to find hope.

No one is perfect and we shouldn't idolize anyone because we all fail at times. I admire those who are willing to put themselves out there in this world for all to judge to take a chance for God to use them to make a Kingdom impact. It can't be easy!

So to tie the title back to my thought "Don't Bash It - Let It Change You" - everyone has an opinion on mega churches! Most like small churches because then you can know everyone and at one time I felt that way but my view is changing. See I gave my life to Christ in a mega church and started my spiritual walk. Looking back to that night I wanted to get lost in the crowd not to be noticed by anyone but see God is bigger than any building or group of people and he met me there that night, extended an invitation that changed my life forever!!!

At the leading of the Holy Spirit I moved to a smaller church six months later that taught me the value of fellowship, serving and truly living a life in Christ.

I think both types of churches have their benefits and downfalls too. Small churches sometimes allow people to get too comfortable that they forget why they are coming and they expect to be fed each week. The mission of every small church should be to train up disciples and release them into this world to build the kingdom.

On the other hand, mega churches should be doing the same. It amazes me to think of how much time and energy people that attend a mega church put into getting to a service to hear God's word. The leaders must be doing something right!

As Christ followers we need to stop bashing those who are leading people to the Lord, look at what we can learn from them and find our own way. We are all given a circle of influence and we should work within the groups we are called to reach versus trying to reach someone else's circle.

I SURVIVED!!!!

I made it through this brief time of darkness. My spirit had been really troubled for a couple hours last night. I just couldn't put my finger on it just something felt wrong!

You know God has really healed you when your flesh tries to make you think the "past" is where you should be, that the "past" is where all the missed opportunities are and that maybe you should try to open the doors that have been closed.

Thank you God for reversing that thinking in my mind...the spiritual battle raged above me as my mind raced, the tears fell like a flood! I cranked the worship music and proclaimed your name, your power and your strength that lives in me that will get me through. I felt like a weak helpless child to the point of almost being ashamed but I AM NOT! God never intended me to do this life apart from Him or others so I begged Him to help me and send angels!

God because he is God and so awesome went a step further! He brought my thoughts back to why I had to walk away from an abusive relationship that lasted over 6 years. For a long time I called it other things except what it was....Abuse! I remained committed expecting things to one day get better or change somehow but they never did so I had to walk away. Now don't get me wrong I'm not perfect, never have been and NEVER will be. I need the love, mercy and grace from God to keep going. It is amazing how the mind works, you sometimes forget the bad things because somehow the good out weights it but not when you realistically look at the big picture. I struggled with walking away because I don't give up easy. However, I had a Pastor tell me one time that sometimes you have to walk away because if you don't everyone involved will spiritually die but what if the one who walked away lived and went on to do great things for God's Kingdom then it is a chance that must be taken. You can pray that the other's follow suit but if not it was a choice they made NOT you!

Then God opens my heart and drops a vision he has for me about my future which totally pumps me up. It also reminds me He is in control not me, it is about His timing not mine.

Then I get a text from two good friends that they are on their way...they have no clue what is going on with me. I remain very private about certain things in my life. Normally I would have shut them down to keep dealing with this junk but there wasn't anything to deal with because God showed me it is done!!! Then everything I had been feeling was lifted! A spiritual freedom!!!! The past won't keep me in bondage to destroy my destiny.

I have to view my past as a decision of freedom. I walked away to live, I was dying as a Christian back then because I am a radical, passionate person and I couldn't be. I wasn't all God called me to be and I'm still working on that part but I am no longer made to feel guilty about pursuing a life for Christ!

Battle Time....

Every feel like you are being prepared for a battle? I know in a short amount of time, well probably long to me but short in God's eyes that my life is going to somehow explode for his kingdom...I can tell by things lining up in my life he is preparing me. It is exciting and yet scary at the same time.

I find myself being critical of who I am and what I can offer God. After all, I feel so broken and weak at time but that is when I feel closest to Him so it becomes a unique place to be. So many times it feels like I am in a place I do not belong and I don't just mean living on earth when my home is Heaven. It's like Tallahassee, FL isn't my home yet Roanoke, VA wasn't either and now I see my future opening up for Charlotte, NC once again but I know in my heart God isn't ready for me to leave FL just yet but just know he is preparing the way. Again a unique place to be...maybe this feeling of not finding my "home" is how he is growing and stretching me to reach my destiny...my God ordained purpose in this life.

I have always felt a calling on my life one that goes way beyond Sunday morning serving in church but a life calling. I have and will continue to lay down my life for God and what he wants me to do. I know sometimes I get in my own way because I want to rush the process and he times everything according to His plans not mine.

I want my legacy to be that I cared and loved everyone who steps in my path in this life. I love the Lord with all my heart and want the world to know it not just by my words but how I live my life. One day at a time, one moment...they all make a difference!

Hope for the broken (one person can make a difference when God is at the heart of it all)

Got 8 minutes? Then you should take the time to watch this amazing story...one that changed my life forever! Last year on my birthday I got the chance to meet Jamie who started TWLOHA, it was the best birthday present ever and it changed everything! One person can make a difference if we allow God to use our hands and feet to do His work here on this earth!



Renee's story mirrors my story in so many ways it is very eerie and although no one stepped in to help me...God allowed me to survive somehow, some way I survived! For so many years, I felt shame for the scars both seen and unseen but never again! Shame will no longer silence me but don't get me wrong my life is not an open book and some things are kept private but my story is my testimony on how God delivered me, his daughter for a purpose larger than anything I could ever have imagined. In some very odd way it has brought me to a better understanding on how my pain has purpose in this life. I no longer ask God "why did this happen to me" now I ask "how can I use my past to help someone else". It is crucial for me to get in the trenches just like Jamie to be Christ to those who are lost, broken and dying in this world. Otherwise, I could...no, I will miss out on what God has called me to do if I sit back and do nothing.



I have allowed shame to silence me from sharing what I have been through in my life. About 5 months ago it felt like someone had pulled a string out of my beautiful tapestry of life because everything I had ever known started unraveling in front of my eyes. It became one of the darkest places I had been to in a long time. I walked to through the darkness with only a flashlight God gave me and his strength but I got through it and the feeling of releasing bondage I had held onto for over 26 years of my 34 year old life is an indescribable feeling! I have gained a peace over the past that could only come from my father in Heaven.



Looking back I wish God would have sent someone to step into my life to help save me as things began to spiral out of control so many times. Yet I realize now God did send people who I look back upon realizing they were angels to give me just enough hope and strength to not give up until he stepped in to save me. I had to go through it all to be the person I am today and to prepare me for the work he is calling me to do!



Over the past week or so God has been really been bringing clarity to me about what I have been called to do with my life. He has used various people to give me confirmation without them even knowing what I am struggling with in regards to my future. It seems like such a big dream and I wonder why me God...I'm not strong enough but really I AM...after all I am an example of what happens when you hold on, don't give up and surrender to God. By no means do I have all the questions of how this larger than life dream will come true but all I know is I trust God and I know this is what he wants me to do.



This TWLOHA story has been remixed with more details of the 5 days a group of people became Renee's church, it wasn't about a building or a Pastor but ordinary people there to help her. They became the body of Christ coming alive to meet her needs while sacrificing their time, energy and whatever else was needed...this one act of love not only changed her life but has touched countless others too. This is such an amazing example of what God can do if we just surrender our will to Him!



I agree with Jamie: Many times we pray for God to be our rescue, but maybe God has called us to be that rescue, to be His body to move for what matters. He is not invisible when we come alive. "We are only asked to love, to offer hope to the many hopeless, we don't get to choose all the endings but we are asked to play the rescuers. We won't solve all mysteries and our hearts will certainly break in such a vulnerable life. But it is the best way. We were made to be lovers, bold in broken places, pouring ourselves out again and again until we're called home."