Love...Can You Feel It?

What is love? How do you know it is real? How does it change your life? Is love something you can feel? How do you explain it?


I am not sure I know the answer to all these questions. Over the past several months I have personally experienced love in a way I never imagined. From falling deeply in love with a long lost friend, to getting engaged, to planning a wedding... LOVE is definitely something on my mind. 


We are all familiar with the great love chapter of the Bible, but while on- ironically enough- one of my first dates with my fiance, we heard a unique and though provoking insight to the famous "love chapter". I would like to share it with you so that you can start your new year with a heart full of love because of the love that was shown for you.


I Corinthians 13 speaks of love. If God is love, and we know He is, then let's replace the word "love" with  "God" and take another look at the precious meaning behind this passage of scripture:


If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have GOD, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have GOD, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have GOD, I gain nothing.


GOD is patient, GOD is kind. HE does not envy, HE does not boast, HE is not proud. HE does not dishonor others, HE is not self-seeking, HE is not easily angered, HE keeps no record of wrongs. GOD does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. HE always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

GOD never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and GOD. But the greatest of these is GOD.

Take a moment today to remember that the true meaning of love, is not a feeling... it is an absolute, and that absolute is GOD!

A Clean Slate... again and again!

Have you decided to start a new chapter in your life this new year? I am so thankful God gives us a clean slate again and again... As 1 Corinthians 13 says, "Love keeps no records of wrongs!" As I think of the new year beginning, I look on the past year as well. I am reminded of the post from January 1st of last year and think it is fitting to repost:



As a new year begins, we all want to start over with a clean slate. Forget about the things in the past year that we screwed up on. It is time to create a new record, a new way of living. On the new year, we each resolve to change all the areas that need improvement. If only all the things we have done wrong over the past year could actually be wiped clean and forgotten!!

If you are like me, sometimes it is hard to press toward new and better goals for the haunting of all the things I have done wrong. At times, it is so much easier to look at all the areas in life where I have failed. Yes the last year has had many great strides in my personal, professional, and spiritual life... but for some reason, the failures are what stay impressed at the forefront of my memory.

One of my favorite scriptures is found in Isaiah. I love the way The Message just spits it out in such plain English:

"...you're my servant. I made you, shaped you: You're my servant... I'll never forget you.I've wiped the slate of all your wrongdoings. There's nothing left of your sins. Come back to me, come back. I've redeemed you." -Isaiah 44:21-22

Oh how wonderful to think that my slate has been wiped clean!! All I have to do is ask. Jesus has redeemed me and I can start over any time I need to. He is right there creating a clean slate for me to start walking in the right direction.

Yes, I have messed up many times over the past year. I could write you a list right there on that little chalkboard... but...LOOK... it has already been wiped clean!!! Let's take the clean slate God has given us today and begin writing a story to be proud of. God bless you this new year!

Determination

Where is your determination? How long does it last? Have you taken on the mentality to do anything necessary to get the job done?

To push the forces of hell out of the way, you have to be more determined than hell itself. You have to be willing to do anything necessary to get the job done. The vision before you must be more important than your own personal pleasure. When you adopt this mentality for you life, you will always push through hard times and take significant territory for the Kingdom of God. -Sparkling Gems


You all know by now that I struggle with procrastination, inconsistency, indiscipline and out and out laziness at times.  My prayer over the last few months has been for God to really help me in this area. As we have been going through the prayer journey, one of my biggest requests of God is that He give me a PASSION for His will, being the woman HE wants me to be.


I read this amazing devotional in "Sparkling Gems" by Rick Renner. It really made me think. How determined am I? To be more determined than hell itself is a HUGE call to action and responsibility. I know I am SELDOM really willing to do ANYTHING necessary to get the job done in ANY situation. I do it till it hurts... but once it hurts, I am ready for the recliner, a bubble bath and a good back rub.


I so want to fulfill God's call on my life, yet I am not doing a very good job at pushing through the tough times. It is time to change my mentality and start taking significant territory for the Kingdom of God! If you ever struggle with the same areas, let's join in the prayer together... Thy Kingdom come... THY WILL BE DONE... and PUSH all the way there!

Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Do you continuously deal with temptations? Are you feeling overcome by evil? Join us as we take a deeper look into this passage of The Lord's Prayer.

There Is A God...Proof

This video puts it so simply. Do you question God? Take a minute to take in His beautiful creation today! What more proof do you need?

Who's Your Witness?

My teenage son asked me a question last night. It was one of those questions that you know the answer in your heart, but can't seem to put it into words. It was one of those questions you secretly hope no one asks, especially your children. He said, "Mom, why do you believe what you believe?"

You have to understand a little about my son. He is a highly intelligent kid, mature beyond his years in many things- yet he has an inquisitive and quite argumentative spirit about him. He likes things PROVED! I think it is his scientific brain (which obviously comes from his father). He loves learning, but often struggles with the things he is taught in public school. Why? Because he sees the reason behind it, but knows it is so far from what I have taught him in our Christian home.

WOW!!! How do you answer that? Many people use the Bible to support their answers and would rattle off a scripturally accurate account of "because Christ dies for us" or the Bible says that "all have sinned and fall short"... you know the answers I am talking about. But I know that one thing I have learned with anyone who thinks as logically and scientifically as my son.. using the Bible which "I" know is God's infallible Word is not going to work because you have to believe that it IS His Word before you use it as evidence for your argument.

My answer to him came from my personal experience with God. The ways I have seen my life change because of His presence and guiding in my life. The joy that I have from ONLY His touch in my life. And the list goes on...

As I was thinking about the conversation, I was reminded of a scripture from Romans. I have recently been studying Romans and have been amazed at just how little snippets mean so much. In Romans 1:9, Paul says, "For God is my witness.." Think about the value and importance of those 5 little words. He is writing the Romans, and educated bunch for sure. I can imagine they probably wanted proof of all the things Paul had to say. His simple words, "for God is my witness."

Why do I believe what I believe? For God is my witness! Simply said! Who is your witness?

Expanding Your Light

Do you feel insignificant in your abilities to witness to others? Have you ever wished you had a way to encourage someone in their walk with God? Many times we feel like a portion of that song saying, "this little light of mine." But instead of realizing how much we CAN do with our light, we may not "hide it under a bushel" but we let it get covered up by the business of life, or even our own insecurities.

Each and every Christian has a light that can shine for others to find a way out of darkness, no doubt!  Sometimes we don't realize that by being a small part of something, actually expands our own light. Today, however, I want you to think about another way that you can let your little light shine WAY beyond your personal sphere of influence. By supporting a ministry, outreach, christian radio station, we can take that little light and help fan the flame of an already growing ministry.

This week our local Christian radio station, 106.9 The Light, is having their annual shareathon. As I was thinking about the importance of this event for the station, I was also reminded of the importance Christian radio has played in my own life. I cannot tell you how many times I have been discouraged while driving to work, praying for God to answer a prayer or encourage me and IMMEDIATELY a song came on that changed my whole perspective on the day. The ability to freely receive teaching through programming that focuses on Christian living and spiritual growth is such a privilege!

I recently came across some statistics about Christian radio that blew me away. My quotes may not be exact, but the expanse of difference is what I want you to see. For every 2 million hours of Christian radio programming in the United States, there are only 200 hours available outside the US. We are so "spoiled" to the availability of encouraging words of song and spiritually educational programming, that we just overlook even the cost of what we are receiving. And broadcasting is not cheap!

What am I getting at? You can expand your influence by simply supporting something with a broader reach. Christian radio reaches millions every day. You can support it by not only financially supporting your local station, but by keeping the station itself lifted up in prayer. Pray for the DJ's to play the songs that God leads them to. Timing is so crucial to the influence this type of ministry has. God can use your little light in an amazing way if you just take an opportunity to expand your light a little.

If you would like to take action on this little challenge, I would love for you to click on the link at the top of the page and help out one of my favorite stations. I have been so impressed with this station that is part of the Billy Graham network. They have ministered to my heart over and over again.

Again, I challenge you. Expand your light today. You never know whose life your little spark may fan a flame into.

Proud Mama Moment

Don't you just LOVE it when you see that your kids are "getting it"? Especially when you see them soaking up God!

This morning as I was about to make my post to SHINE, I looked over in my blog list to see that my ten year old had made a post to her blog. Clicking over to read I was so impressed with what she had written. I helped her start the blog a month or so ago as a challenge for her to share what she was learning about God. I was hoping to help spark a little light in her to teach her how to SHINE as well.

If you could see my face now! I am just beaming to know that she not only "got it" when she heard the lesson at her friend's church, but that she decided to share it as well. Sometimes we don't realize what our kids are taking in. Cat has not shared one bit of what she wrote in her blog with me, but... she still learned it and is obviously taking it to heart.

Encourage your kids. Invest into their spiritual growth. Challenge them to be a light as well. It doesn't matter whether you are a spark or a flame, it still puts light on darkness somewhere. Check out her post and join me in my praise to God for creating a hunger in her life as well.

Ooops! Forgive me!

 Do you ever forget something and remember when it is too late? Do you have every intention of staying consistent and somehow end up failing without even realizing it? Guess what?!?! You aren't alone. Well, you may have felt alone if you showed up for the SHINE PJ Party tonight!

I am soooo sorry if I let any of you down tonight. I am being real and honest, because that is part of what SHINE is all about. We are here to be REAL with one another and the reality of the situation is that I just became distracted with my day and forgot about the post until now! I had not even made the video yet! And honestly, I feel horrible!

So what can we gain from this spiritually? Hmmm... isn't it interesting that our next portion of The Lord's Prayer is, "forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." So, I could simply ask you to forgive me and remind you that if you want God to ever forgive you, you have to forgive me. But, I don't think that is what Jesus was wanting us to get from that part of the prayer.

Matthew 7:12 says, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." I think this goes hand in hand with this section of the prayer. It is almost like a reverse request... as you forgive us Lord, help us remember how we should forgive others.

How many times am I quick to judge someone's intensions? How often do I hold something against someone who has irritated me, got under my skin, or maybe hurt me (intentionally or not)?

Yes, I hope you all will forgive me for not posting our video tonight. But, I know my wonderful Heavenly Father already has. HE IS SO GOOD! I figure you all were sick of seeing my face every Saturday night anyway.. you probably needed the break! See, GOD IS SO GOOD!! :O)

Here is a thought, someone shouldn't have to ask for your forgiveness in order for you to forgive them. The Lord's Prayer was a daily prayer. We should be daily forgiving the trespasses of those around us as an action of love and gratefulness for the forgiveness God has given us.

So, here I am being REAL with you... don't feel so bad if you mess up... just remember to be as gracious with those around you as God is with you!

Is it Relationship or Religion? What about Responsibility?

I saw this article this morning and was deeply convicted, not only for myself but for the Christian community in general. Then later today, there was a post on the 106.9 The Light Facebook page. I read the comments and was shocked that everyone seemed to have the idea the article was a debate over relationship vs. religion. I think we are missing the point. The issue with this article isn't about the debate of relationship or religion. z

We need to look deeper. Don't we need to KNOW what we believe in? YES, our walk and salvation is about a relationship with Christ... but then what? Aren't we called to share the gospel? How can we share what we do not know? How can we be CHRIST-LIKE if we aren't studying CHRIST. Why do you believe what you believe?

Another point, how can we be in battle if we don't know the enemy? The first rule of warfare is to know the enemy. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood (man), but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places"- Ephesians 6:12. We are in spiritual warfare! Our battle isn't against the OTHER religions, it is about the Satan who is confusing the lost with their teachings.

The prior verse says, "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." We SHOULD know the facts... and not just basic facts like were in the survey in this article. How can we reach the lost if we don't know the facts and history behind our own belief? The study showed that the highest scores were among atheists, agnostics, and even mormons. Why do you think so many people are turning to these beliefs? Because they can support why they believe what they believe!

I am passionate about this. God convicted my heart deeply today when I read this study. And, I was deeply saddened by the undertone established with the statement that agnostics and atheists did best and the study showed the more educated you were, the better you did. Christians should not be ignorant (uninformed). It seemed to me to  lead that if you are educated you should know better than believing in God. I know it didn't say that... but think about it.

Guys, this isn't a debate about relationship or religion... it is about responsibility! Christ entrusted us with His calling to preach the gospel to the world so that none may perish. We need to KNOW the Word and we need to KNOW the enemy. 

It needs to start with me. God help me be the woman He needs me to be. Help me to study and write the Word of God on my heart and help me KNOW what I believe!

Give Us This Day.. Our Daily Bread

What is your daily bread? Are you asking God to provide your food and shelter? What about the bread of life? Listen as we talk about a new way to look at this portion of the Lord's Prayer.

I Am

Who is God in your life? He is the I am. Bringing me back to the names of God. Watch this and be blessed at the knowledge of who God really is!

PJ Party: Your WIll Be Done

When you pray, do you approach prayer with seeking God's will? Jesus gave us the example of the Lord's prayer for a reason. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done..... Are you seeking God's will in your prayers? Or maybe your own? Join us as we share about this principle in our prayer lives.

Trying it a different way tonight... YouTube just isn't processing it right. Hope it works!

Technical Difficulties...

Ok PJ Partiers... we are having some technical difficulties... stay tuned for the SHINE PJ party! Sorry for the delay!

PJ Party: Names of God

Ah... I am late getting to the party!! Nothing unusual! You would think that I could do better virtually. Learn how knowing the names of God can enhance your prayer life. I hope you all will share how knowing specific names of God help you in your prayer life as well.

OMG...New Thoughts on Old Habits

In this age of BRB, TTYL, and OMG we like to shorten any phrase we can to make it quicker and easier to express what we are truly wanting to say. But are we even thinking about what we are really saying with even our abbreviations? This week in our Prayer Journey we are talking about the first line of The Lord's Prayer... "Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name."

Hallowed. We talked earlier that "hallowed" means to honor as holy, to be greatly revered or respected. As I was praying this morning, God nudged my heart about an old habit of mine and gave me some new thoughts on it. I am a computer buff! I love to IM, Facebok, and text to communicate with friends. I am quick to type BRB, TTYL and yes, OMG! But is OMG keeping God's name hollowed? Am I honoring God as holy by spitting out OMG, saying "gosh", or even "gee wiz"?

I have to say I never really gave much thought to those sayings, because I knew in my heart I wasn't trying to "take God's name in vain." But today, God really pricked my heart as to whether or not I was keeping His name hallowed.

You know we hear the verse I quoted all the time in reference to God's name. But I found a new verse today that set in the conviction of my old habit in an entirely new way. Psalm 139:20 says, "For they speak against You wickedly;Your enemies take Your name in vain." Oh my! I do not want to be an enemy of God. Do you?

Here is my thought for today as we learn more about prayer and learning who God is. If I am saying OMG.. even in texts, am I really and truly holding God's name as hallowed? And if using God's name in vain makes me an "enemy" of God... then how effective are my prayers? Ouch!

This is not going to be an easy habit to break, but I want to honor God and keep His name hallowed not just with my speech, but with my texting, IMing, and messaging as well. Our Father which art in heaven, help us keep your name hallowed today!

Hallowed Be Thy Name

"Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed by thy name." What does hallowed mean and how does it apply to our relationship to God. Let's start off the week learning about God and His holiness. Hallowed means to honor as holy, greatly revered or respected. Are you honoring God as holy? Is He greatly revered and respected? What are you doing to show Him your reverence? Are you holy?

In Leviticus 20:7-8, the Lord says: "Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy." To consecrate means to dedicate formally to a divine purpose. Do you realize you have a divine purpose? The only way to accomplish that purpose is to be holy (morally and spiritually excellent).

How in the world can we as mere humans be excellent? Lord knows as hard as I try I miserably fail at being excellent, especially when it comes to the battle between the flesh and the spirit. So how can this be accomplished? Go back to that verse and read it again. "Keep my decrees and follow them." The first step to holiness is obedience. Are you being obedient?

Even with obedience, we all struggle with the feeling of being LESS than holy. I know "HOLY" is not a word I would ever use to describe myself. No matter how hard I try, I just seem to fall short in that category. There are times I just kill myself working so hard at being "morally and spiritually excellent". I ware myself out trying.

But... maybe what I need to do (maybe you as well), is take a look at this verse in Leviticus. Read the very last section of that scripture. "I am the Lord, WHO MAKES YOU HOLY." You see, holiness is not something we attain on our own. Yes, we are to be obedient. Yes, we are to revere and respect God. But HOLINESS comes straight from God. It isn't an accomplishment we can attain on our own. It is a GIFT from God. HE makes ME (and you) holy!! Isn't that just exciting?

Let's put the first part of our study on prayer to work today. "Our Father, which art in heaven, HALLOWED be they name." Respect and revere God today by letting Him have His place and CONTROL in your life today. Be obedient and let HIM make you holy today. The way to let Him make you holy is to let Him have His way.

Our first step in prayer, is complete surrender to God. Are you letting God take control of your life today? Lord, I respect and honor you. The best way for me to honor you today is to let you control my life. Make me holy, make me morally and spiritually excellent today.

Time for a PJ Party!!!

Ok Ladies (and Gents if you are watching)...it is time for our Saturday Night PJ Party! Join us over the next few weeks as we go on our Prayer Journey: PJ! Be sure to leave comments, share insights, as we grow closer to each other and God. We can't wait to hear from you as we party together on this prayer journey.

Getting to the Root

Who would have thought that pulling one little tooth could have caused this much pain?!?! It kind of reminds me of one bad apple can ruin the whole bushel. What are the rotten areas lingering in your life? Do you have decay in just one "little" area? Be careful, it can infect your entire being...

As embarrassing as it is to admit, I had a tooth that broke off cause it was so decayed. The dentist had to go in and remove it, even cut pieces away from the bone. Why? Because the tooth had begun to fuse with the bone and be part of it. There was so much blood and decay, he had to go in 2 days later and remove the hidden leftovers. There is still one piece he didn't get... not because he couldn't, but because it was so close to my sinuses, there was risk of putting a hole in my sinuses if he tried to get it out. And that, would take much longer and be much more painful to heal. Man, this one little tooth has messed with my whole body.

You see. My bad tooth was a result of braces left on too long and unattended. I had neglected regular visits to the dentist because of finances. Eventually what was supposed to shape and retrain my teeth, ended up being a place for remaining particles of the junk I ate, to congregate. By the time I removed my braces, (yes I removed them), the damage was done. My tooth was already on its way to decay. Years went by, I left the decay unattended. The tooth eventually became too weak. It was annoying! I could feel the sharp edges where the rotten parts were eating away the smooth tooth and creating sharp edges.

Once the tooth broke, it was too late for there to be a clean removal. I tried my hardest to remove the tooth myself to avoid the expense of a dentist... but it was too late. I had to go have the dentist remove the roots. My roots had grown to my jaw bone. He had to drill the tooth away from the bone. As I said before, one piece was so deep it had to be left. There was so much blood and decay, there was no way to see all the pieces until after I had a little time to heal. Then I had to go back, open the wound and have the remaining pieces, the additional decay removed...talking about pain!!!

Let's think of that from a spiritual perspective. I wonder if I even need to explain. Are you seeing it already? When we neglect the things in life that are supposed to be helpful, we are like that bracket that instead of shaping and correcting the problem, created a place for the bad particles to collect. Then, hmm.. we try to take things into our own hands. Let's see... we haven't been having our prayer and study time, someone hurts us.. and instead of going to God, we try to ignore it. The more we ignore it, the more it builds up. Then, we try to take care of it ourselves. Remove it.

Are there things building up in your life? Have you neglected your spiritual life so long, you are starting to decay spiritually? Have you tried to fix things on your own, only to find that there is still a root of sin or bitterness left causing infection to the rest of your body? Are there pieces of hurt, resentment, so deep that digging them out would put a hole in something that would take so much longer to heal? Maybe you have just been in one place so long, you are starting to fuse with it? Even if you aren't supposed to? Are you getting to the root?

Let God be your spiritual dentist. Let Him remove the decay from your life. God is a caring "dentist" he knows that you may not be able for Him to dig it all out at once. He knows that the pain, the the blood from the wound, makes it hard to remove everything at once. He has an open door policy, once He starts a work, He is always willing to finish it... AS LONG AS YOU LET HIM!

Here is the thing... don't be like I was with my tooth. Don't wait too long! Don't let other things take precedence. Don't wait till the decay effects other parts of your body. See.. if I had been to the dentist when this first started, he could have cleaned out the cavity and filled it. I wouldn't have had to lose my tooth. What are your spiritual "cavities" today? Let the Dentist scrape away the empty cavities of your life and become your "filling".  Be proactive spiritually. Make regular visits to the Dentist. Brush your life with daily cleaning, floss the crevices to get the hidden particles that can damage you, rinse your mouth with the control of the Holy Spirit. Don't let your roots decay! I can tell you, the pain is much worse when you let things go, rather than handing them over to God and letting Him fill your life.

Brush up with God today!

What's in Your Mouth?

What's in your mouth? Are you chewing on the right things today? Who are you letting feed you today? Read on as we share about letting God be the one to fill our mouths with His best...

I was praying about what God wanted me to post today. Honestly, I don't FEEL like being much of an encouragement today. I don't even FEEL very "Christian" today. I just want to gripe, complain, and pull the covers over my head so I don't see the things that need to be done. I am late for work, my mouth hurts from a dental procedure I had... OOPS! See?!?! There I go with the complaining!

While praying, God asked me, "What do YOU need today?" Now that is a thought, if I am in need of something from God today, maybe someone else might need that exact same thing today. My answer, "I just need some encouragement God!"

HE IS SO FAITHFUL! While praying over words to share today, God directed me to open my Bible. Right there, highlighted in yellow were these words in Jeremiah 1:5-9:

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

 "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child."


 But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.


Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth.

All we have to do is just ask God to place His words in our mouth. I look over even this morning and the words I used with my kids. Were they edifying? Did they build up? What am I professing? Is it victory? Or is it complaints?

What's in your mouth today? Are you claiming the power in being set apart by God before you were even formed in your mother's womb? There is power in words! Let that power be directly placed in your mouth by God today!