Letting People Change

So I was communicating (lecturing) with my daughters yesterday about the desire for change. This issue was very simple. One daughter was demonstrating approval of something and the other daughter accused her of making fun; because that was what she liked to do primarily in the past. Well, today to everyones attention the first daughter wanted to begin her change; without having to announce it of course. And to the first daughters dismay the other daughter did not believe her all-of-a-sudden change of heart. After all when you just decide to change with no notice its kind of hard to really at first believe in the change. It's only after time passes with constant desire to show change will one believe - or will they.

This story brings me to my devotion today about letting people change. Do we really realize that we are the ones that will not allow people to change? As I explained to my daughters, each has a desire to show change but the past has been so damaging they just cannot allow themselves to really believe that they in fact want to change. So with my grand father explanation i suggested that if you want to have change in your life then we have to give it to others.

We see this a lot in the mental health and substance abuse world. "Repeat offenders" we call them. Why? because we really do not believe they have or ever will change. Plus, if they do change then we will not have a job. WOW! Selfish uh? Well, change really only comes as much as we will give it to the other.

Change equals an amount of grace given. The more grace, the more change.

So let's revisit that good ole verse of scripture that we truly have distorted over the years. Matthew 7:12 "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the law and the prophets."

What?! Everything?! Yep, EVERYTHING! Makes it tougher when you are the one having to give the grace rather than receiveing it.

Well, that's what I explained to my children. Oh wait, this means I have to give grace with change too! Ouch!

Have a blessed day!!

Looks Like Rain

Well, it has been awhile since I have posted. A great deal has happened since my last post. I started a christian band(ThreeFold), I got layed off(kinda of enjoying that), I took a vacation(really enjoyed that), I went to Nashville to become a star(came back the same), Celebrated my 17th anniversary by getting a new puppy, I got a new puppy(cute!!) and the most remembered would be the mission trip to Jamaica. It was without a doubt "incredible".

Many extraordinary adventures took place and many spiritual mountains were climbed. The most of which for me was the acknowledgement of Christ still wanting to use me. It now has been 4 and 1/2 years since I ministered in the church setting and I have finally given up the ghost. The ghost of shame and guilt that I have carried for so long.

"But God Chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'let him who boasts boast in the Lord.'" 1 Corinthians 1:27-31

So in light of God's direction in my life I will be applying for a music minister position once again. Now, I don't expect easy sailing and I am aware of the storm possibilities and as the songs states,

"bring me joy bring me peace bring a chance to be free, bring me anything that brings you glory; and I know they'll be days when this life brings me pain, but if that's what it takes to praise you, Jesus bring the rain"

Please enjoy the video and the pics! I am excited to be back among the living.

Please visit my band's website.
http://3foldministry.com/default.aspx

Have a great day!

Rescue

Redemption
–noun
1. an act of redeeming or the state of being redeemed.
2. deliverance; rescue.
3. Theology. deliverance from sin; salvation.
4. atonement for guilt.
5. repurchase, as of something sold.
6. paying off, as of a mortgage, bond, or note.
7. recovery by payment, as of something pledged.
8. conversion of paper money into specie.

I like number 7 - recovery of payment, as of something pledged. It never seizes to amaze me how God's love and mercy surpasses all understanding, enough to die a cruel death to save me.

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus". Philippians 4:7

Now, we take up our time asking, Why God this and Why God that and what if I didn't have this struggle and what it my life was different. Or, we could understand that God's ways are not our ways and everyone has a struggle and everyone has a need for a savior.

I remember the night I wanted to end my pay through suicide. It wasn't that I really wanted to kill myself, not because I'm allergic to pain, but because I just wanted someone to hear me and tell me that it's ok, your not alone. WOW! The awesome power of stating to someone; you are not alone.

"Keep your lives from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Well, I obviously didn't kill myself - but anytime I get depressed and overwhelmed satan is right there ready said; "why don't you go ahead an kill yourself it's the only way out of your pathetic life."

Do not listen to that CRAP! God has a plan for you and me.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

HELLO! He has plans for you - satan, your a stupid liar!

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

God can redeem you! God can rescue you!

It Was Snowing

Every year at my birthday my father would begin the conversation with, "you know 25 years ago today it was snowing". It use to irritate me sometimes when he would say it every year. Well, now I find myself missing it, now that he is gone. He is not hear to say it this year - I miss that.

Isn't it funny how things get on our nerves until they are gone. Like how irritating habits of your spouse drives you crazy and when away you miss them. Or, like when your child takes a trip and you realize how much you miss them getting on your nerves. Or, like when you use to be so tight with the Lord and then one day you realize how much you miss Him getting on your nerves, expecting great things from you.

"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'" Matthew 19:14

As parents, what our children does not see in us they will miss when they are older, attempting to seek God's will. For if they do not see it in us, then we are not allowing them to come to Jesus. It's not what we do, it's what we are not doing - loving God with our lives.

My little girl is 11 years old today; and you know - it was snowing 11 years ago today.