three for thursday (since i missed tuesday)...

tunes tuesday...

This song became a theme song of mine in January. I find it very cool that God placed such an incredible song in my heart. Only He knew I'd need these lyrics in the months to follow.

This is a favorite from our days at the Vineyard in Cincy! Again, incredible lyrics to minister to a wounded soul!! (Or any soul for that matter!! :)

1. 

 

 

 

2, 4, 6, 8, who do we appreciate...

Is the title a little corny...yep! However, this month is pastor appreciation month.  Tomorrow is the last Sunday in the month of October!!!  Some of you have never heard of this special time. Well, let me encourage you, to show some encouragement and appreciation toward your shepherd(s).

Only pastors and their wives know how much time, effort and love go into their jobs. No one, unless you've worn this hat, knows all the battles being fought behind the scenes, the time taken away from family, the sleepless nights, the aching hearts, and more often lonely place of a pastor.

All too often, they hear all our gripes and complaints, but not too many "atta boys"!! All too often people feel free to unload their disappointments in them, but never return with a simple thank you! All too often they are placed on a pedestal, then when they are human and don't quite measure up, fall very hard in the eyes of others.

I find it sad that there has to be a special month set aside to show someone you appreciate them. However, without it, well...it just wouldn't happen as much as it should. So, if you didn't know, you do now. If you haven't yet, don't wait another day. Not sure what to do...here are a few suggestions...send them a gift card, buy them coffee, make them cookies, have them over for dinner,   write them an encouraging note, give them a pat on the back and thank them for all they do and pray for them and their families!!

While, I'm at it, don't just think of your senior pastor or teaching pastor. If you have multiple guys and gals working in leadership, it takes them all to keep your ship afloat. Just because they might not be up front all the time doesn't mean they don't work just as hard. Remember them too!

Oh heck, might as well keep going...I sincerely think there should be a pastor's wife appreciation month as well. No one knows but them all that their husband's carry. Most often the wives carry it too...but continue to smile and love the person who just ripped her husband a new one for not doing something the way they would've done it!!! This too, can be a very lonely place. Give her a hug and thank her too!!

So, if you haven't already, just show some appreciation! I promise it won't hurt! :)

tunes tuesday...

Here are a couple of songs that have been in my head for a couple of weeks.

tunes tuesday...

Ok, I love to write. I really do, but I have no idea how true writers do it!! My goal when I started blogging a few short months ago, was to at least post once a week. Well, uuuuhhhh, I haven't quite met that. However, I have come up with a plan to help me along. This may seem like a cop out to some, however, to me, music ministers in a way that most sermons, devotions, and books can't. So, I'll let the tune do the talking on Tuesdays!!!

changing perspective, changing forevers...

Saturday morning I woke up to a brisk, fall morning. I love fall. I love the seasonal drinks, the change of color, the hiking, the change is usually welcome. However, this morning, I was feeling rather sorry for myself. I was missing AZ, some of my favorite people (who happen to live there), and the beauty of the season in the mountains. I was missing my lovey. We were blessed to spend the early morning sipping coffee and discussing life, but he was off to yet another job. In my pitiful state, I did what any human would do; post my thoughts on facebook! Suddenly, the Holy Spirit opened my eyes and gave me a new perspective. Just a few hours prior a friend had lost everything but his guitar and computer in an apartment fire. He was blessed to be alive. One young lady wasn't as fortunate. Then I started thinking about my mom, what a rough week she'd had and how fighting cancer for six years has been utterly exhausting. I thought of two of my dear friends who won't ever get to go on an early morning Starbucks date with their loveys again.

I got over my bad self...

until Monday!!!

I'm not trying to make light or be a jerk. This is how fickle I can be. So, I'm sitting watching the Colts game, missing my lovey, missing some of my favorite peeps, missing Peytie when I find myself yelling at the tv because of the state of the game. I was allowing not only the game, but my feelings to take over again, and my bloodpressure was feeling it! The Holy Spirit showed up again, this time via text. One of my favorite people in AZ, asked for prayer. A former student at the mission, only 14 years old had committed suicide, and they were trying to minister to her family, as well as to the students at the mission who knew her.

For freakin' real? When will I learn? Seriously, I was allowing a football game to bother me? Poor Me! I really have it bad don't I? I was letting me get in the way AGAIN!

I think I need to go back to the beginning...

Saturday morning I woke up. It's now Thursday and I've typed this, so I have woken up every day since then. Every day I'm priviledged to wake up I have a responsibility. Love God, love people. (thanks Matt) I need to be on a relentless pursuit of loving God more and loving people more daily. It's rather hard to do that when the most important person to me, is ME!

I watched a testimony at church Sunday. The young lady was thankful for the person in her life that was on a relentless pursuit for her to know Jesus. Her life had changed drastically because one person cared about her and her eternity. She said, " My forever's changed, thanks to him."

I don't want to be so me, me, me that I allow my emotions to dictate how I feel or what I do! Yuck! Nothing is more ugly than selfishness and pride. The Lord is good at humbling those who don't humble themselves. Yikes!! I think I'd rather do it. (although it was really Him all along) Thank you Holy Spirit for the kicks in the butt! Thank you for your kindness bringing me to repentance! Help me to not be so quick to forget. Help me to have your perspective daily. Help me to play a part in changing someone's forever!

really good sinners...

First of all, I confess, I'm a slacker!! I have had so many ideas to write about, so many thoughts brewing, even rough drafts on paper, but never sat in the month of September to post. So, to my five followers, I apologize. Please forgive me! :)

I'm telling you, I have been so challenged and just really doing a lot of self examination. I can't wait to post some of the sermons I've been privileged to hear lately. However, it'll be a while. They aren't exactly prompt when it comes to uploading them...or is it downloading??? I don't know tech stuff. See that's tech to me, because I'm so computer illiterate. It's a miracle I can blog! Anyhooooo, today I'm going to try to clearly summarize several of my thoughts all in one, which was inspired by today's talk! (thank you Danny!!)

I'm afraid the message the church has given people in the world is that church is for "good" people. I'm afraid we've sent the message that it's for those who have it all together, who live happily everyday, and who are quite happy to not have to deal with "those sinners!"

And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors?" And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:30-32

In fact, the church is made up of messed up, screwed up, sick, guilty, really good sinners. I don't care if you... gave your life to Jesus at the age of seven, went to Bible college, work in full time ministry, lead a discipleship group, lead worship, preach, are a greeter, pick up old ladies for church, work in the nursery, are a youth coach, play the piano, fix funeral meals, teach Sunday school, are the church secretary, are in leadership, are the custodian, wear your Sunday best every Sunday, tithe 10%, go to every prayer meeting, are the vbs director, support missions, even go on mission trips, or sponsor 5 Compassion kids...YOU ARE STILL A SINNER! We all are. I need to be in church with a community of Christ followers as much as the next guy. I haven't arrived! Some of us sin privately, some of us more publicly. Some of us fall far off the wagon, some of us not so far. Let's not judge those outside the church, nor those inside. We are all really good sinners. Some may argue the passage I used is being taken out of context. I would argue back, the word sinner includes me, the word sinner includes you. There is no us and them. Some of us are sinners covered by grace, and some of us sinners have yet to choose grace!

Now, because I am a sinner saved by grace, I'm going to do my best to choose obedience and put it into action...Knowledge is only relevant when it's put into action. The cross was the ultimate act of obedience put into action. I'm so thankful for the work Christ completed there. I'm so thankful my hope is in Him and not in what I do or don't do. I'm so thankful He is the only all knowing, all loving, all forgiving God. I'm so thankful because of what He's done for me I don't have to walk in shame or guilt, but I can walk in mercy and grace. I'm so thankful He loved me first, and I can trade all that the enemy intended to destroy for all that the Lord intended to redeem!!!!

Now, fellow saved sinners, let's be the church. Lets share this awesome news with those who haven't heard. Lets share this news with those who have heard, but haven't acted on it yet. Lets pray about and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us who He wants us to share with, minister to, love on in His name. Maybe just maybe it's your coworker 2 cubicles down, maybe it's the mom in Walmart screaming at her kids, maybe it's the smelly, weird customer that comes in and freaks you out, maybe it's the young couple with a precious family, maybe it's the old man who sits by himself at Starbucks, maybe it's your mom, maybe it's your child, maybe it's just another really good sinner.

north face. no, not your cool jacket...

the bus, lockers, jr high. OH MY!!!

Many changes in the past few days...

This was read to us at Jaden's Middle School open house:

A woman found the chrysalis of a butterfly.  One day a small opening appeared. She sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to squeeze its body through the tiny hole.  Then it stopped, as if it couldn’t go further.
The woman decided to help the butterfly. She took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining pieces of the chrysalis. The butterfly emerged easily but it had a swollen body and shriveled wings. The woman continued to watch it, expecting that any minute the wings would enlarge and expand enough to support the body . . . but it never happened!!
In fact the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around. It was never able to fly.  What the woman in her kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting chrysalis and the struggle required by the butterfly to get through the opening was a way of forcing the fluid from the body into the wings so that it would be ready for flight once that was achieved.
Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. Going through life with no obstacles would cripple us. We would not be as strong as we could have been and we would never fly.
~Author Unknown

Tuesday was the first day of school for my kiddos. Jaden was off to sixth grade and Avery to second. I'm pretty sure I was more nervous than they were. Jaden was excited and seemed so optimistic for the start of her new journey. Ave...not so much. He seemed nervous and skeptical. Not knowing who was in his class, and not having the comfort of big sister to be by his side, was a little scary.

I kissed them both goodbye, left them in the hands of the school system and I prayed!!

I had listened intently to the butterfly story and shook my head in agreement. However, as I prayed, I found myself asking God to basically make life as easy as possible and comfortable for them. Then I remembered the story and how sometimes discomfort brings about big changes, good changes. Then my mind went to Francis Chan and in one of his books he asks the question; when will we stop asking God for protection, instead pray, Lord whatever brings me closer to you, that's what I want? OOOOOOOO that's a hard one!!!

So, as a parent, I've been wrestling with a few questions this week. I surely want what is best for my children...or do I?? Is it that I want what I  think is best? I find myself getting in the way a lot. It's with good intentions, nonetheless, it's still in the way of what God may be trying to accomplish in someone else' journey.

I love my children very much. They bring a joy and love to my life that is indescribable. I sure don't have many answers, and I'm for sure still wrestling with some questions Mr Chan has challenged me with. I've started reading a book this week The North Face of God. So far, I'm identifying with it, but it too is giving me more questions. Thank goodness our God is big enough, wise enough, loving enough, and sovereign enough to handle all my little questions. Maybe I'll get answers, maybe I won't. But once again, He's leading me to growth on my journey...

As for the first week of school, Jaden loves it and is excited to go everyday. She can open her locker and even helped a few others with theirs! Avery is slowing being won over by his teacher! Riding the bus is not as scary as he first imagined! Praise God for the first of many lessons learned this year!

i love me some football...

What is the best way to spend $10 on a Saturday for a family of four?? COLTS football training camp!!

I couldn't believe we were a stones throw away from the boys. I know these guys are no more special than you or me, they put their pants on the same way we do, they just happen to play football! BUT, these are the guys I've cheered on, yelled at, paced hallways for, prayed for, and had several near heart attack experiences for. Being our first year to experience all this, we sure learned some dos and don'ts for next year. For instance, when you have an incredible place on the fence where you can get remarkable shots of the players walking in and out (and later autographs) do NOT move. :) Even though I didn't get that great shot of Peytie or his autograph, I spent a wonderful Saturday with my loveys, watching something I love, making great memories! WIN-WIN-WIN!

Entering Colts city...



Sooooo stoked...

Reggie...!!!



Dallas...!!!

Dwight...!!!

I yelled, "Reggie!!!!"---embarrassed the kids, but gotta waive! :)

Thank you Lord for a great day!!



paul and jared say it best...

So, I've jogged, walked the dogs, drank coffee, did my devo, had a horrific bowl of Cheerios, (found out I loathe Sweet'N Low...blek) drank some more coffee, checked my email, did some research and all the while my mind is racing. Putting all these thoughts into words is difficult for me today, so I'll leave it to Paul and Jared...

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

All transformation starts in the mind! Isn't that where every battle begins as well??

What does this journey look like??

I think it looks like this...

the rub...

"Lord, help the posture of my heart to be wide open."

That was prayed just before the teaching on Sunday. I prayed in agreement and wanted to receive...

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..." ...sure, yep, I'm with ya!

"God's plan is the exponential growth of His church." ...of course! I want to see everyone come to know of His saving Grace!

"A disciple is a person who has oriented their entire life around the teachings of Jesus, is becoming more like Him on the inside, and is helping others do the same."  ...hhhmmmmmm!

The Lord gently whispered to me, "Denise, remember you prayed for your heart to be wide opened"...

The pastor then explained how small groups would facilitate making disciples.

There was the rub! I was fully enjoying on my third visit, taking my seat, worshipping, and leaving. Being rather autonomous, although it's hard, because they're such a friendly bunch. Small groups?? Really?? "Small groups provide accountability, Bible study and care. They're a place of koinonia, where you have teammates and a group of 10 or so others have your back." OUCH!! You see, I was burnt pretty badly in a small group setting. The wound is still healing. I didn't really want to hear about small groups, much less be in one.

Then he continued to illustrate how God can use just one person to impact so many lives in one year, then another, then in ten years.

It was getting harder to keep my foot down on such an argument.

As we drove home I chewed on all I heard. I felt the Lord whisper again, "Denise you can't transfer your feelings from one person to another. This would be brand new, new circumstances, new beginnings, new discoveries."

Who am I to say no to starting a new? Perhaps God wants to use me. Perhaps my story could minister to someone else. Perhaps He wants to use a place I associated with hurt to heal. Perhaps He knows just what He's doing!

So, this Sunday we are going to the Next Step meeting to learn more...

"The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to stengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." 2 Chronicles 16:9














s

tats and piercings...

When we left Indiana in 08 we had no idea what was in front of us.

When we left Arizona in 11 we had no idea what was in front of us.

Moving to the west was so liberating. The come as you are, for real, atmosphere felt so good. I've told several people, my church, theCHURCH (that's it's name) was the first place I saw a real picture of the body of Christ. A place where addicts mingled with doctors, where homeless were invited in by millionaires. You could ride your Harley or your Schwinn. You could wear a dress and heals or shorts and flip flops. It didn't matter because what mattered was and is that you learn more about Jesus and His love when you walked through the doors. Tattoos and piercings were no more an issue than the dirt on the street.

Coming back to the Midwest has been eye opening. I've heard come as you are, but haven't felt it to be genuine, that is until a couple weeks ago. We visited yet another church and for the first time in five months we were welcomed in, smiled at, and Patrick's tattoos and my nose piercing didn't get us that 3rd, and 4th look. You know that look, the one like you've got three heads! As we took our seats and anticipated the service U2 played...not so softly...score in my book...then Tenth Avenue North...another score!!  Then the clip before worship sharing all ages, from all backgrounds are welcome to wear what you want, drink coffee and feel apart of the family, because you matter. You matter to Jesus!! Whew...a breath of fresh air!!!

My hope was restored! I'm thankful for a place (and I'm sure there's more) that look past my exterior and want to help and minister to my interior. That's what my Jesus did! If you're reading this and have no clue what I'm talking about - that could be good or bad! Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what you see when you look at people. Are you more concerned with a piece of jewelry in their face, ink on their arms, the clothes they are or aren't wearing or the state of their heart?

Let's all be more like our Jesus!

the greatest of these...

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." I Corinthians 13:13

Faith will fade away, hope will cease, but love is eternal!

"You was the onlyest person that looked past my skin and past my meanness and saw that there was somebody on the inside worth savin. I don't know how, but you knowed that most a' the time when I acted like a bad fella, it was just so folks wouldn't get too close. I didn't want nobody close to me. It wadn't worth the trouble. Besides that, I had done lost enough people in my life, and I didn't want to lose nobody else...Cause ever person that looks like a enemy on the outside ain't necessarily one on the inside. We all has more in common than we think. You stood up with courage and faced me when I was dangerous, and it changed my life. You loved me for who I was on the inside, the person God meant for me to be, the one that had just gotten lost for a while on some ugly roads in life."  Same Kind of Different As Me

Did hope or faith change this man? They may have played a part. But, it was the love that she showed him, that changed him. It was the choice she made to act on, live out, and be, that changed him.

The love you pour out today could just be the salve to a wounded soul!

by definition...

A journey by definition is 1) a traveling from one place to another, usually taking a rather long trip 2) a distance, course 3) a period of travel...

If we all look at our lives we see our journeys as seasons...
Seasons of longing, gratitude, hurt, loss, rebellion, forgiveness, restoration, fear, anger, healing, deliverance, just to name a few. Our journeys take us to the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Even though our seasons are uncertain, it's the every day that is so important. I, personally don't want to look so forward to the future or try to see the big picture so much, that I lose sight of the now. I can't see the forest for the trees kinda thinking...

Oswald said it perfectly in today's devotion in fact, "God is not working toward a particular finish, His purpose is the process itself."

I've said many times, "God was preparing me." He may in fact have been, however, if I had just taken the time to learn from that day, that moment maybe my journey wouldn't take the dips that it does. I know I can't be on top of the mountain everyday. But, I sure am going to try to have a paradigm shift and really not try to focus on the finish. After all we'll never arrive until we see Him face to face!!

All I know is that I've been feeling challenged lately. This may not be difficult for you, but for someone who is passionate about a lot of things, but has never really nailed down a lot of things, I've come to a simple, yet so hard to embrace fact. I can't love everyone in this world effectively...but I can love deeper those in my circle of influence. I can't serve everyone in this world effectively, but I can serve those God puts in front of me today. I can't change the world, but I can change "my world" by being exactly who God intended me to be, by being more like Him. Sooooo, I'm a work, a work that He is not done with yet. A work who's journey is definitely still on the course, still moving to another place!

the first of many...

So the thought has crossed my mind many times. But today as I sat outside on a gloriously humid morning, drinking coffee and reading Oswald, I decided to jump outta the boat of just reading blogs to actually blogging myself. Not really sure what I'll talk about, but I know I have so many thoughts swirling in this head of mine, that this is a good outlet for me. We are all on a journey. My hope is to share what the Lord is doing with me on my journey, and encourage you on yours!!