The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. No, I am not talking about an old western featuring famous cowboys facing off each other surviving the rugged wild west; but I am talking about facing another wild and rugged place... I call it LIFE.

I am sure you can relate. There are good days, bad days, and just right out ugly days of life.

Bad Day?

It's a bad day. There really isn't anything bad about it, it's just a bad day. Do you ever feel like that? Is that the kind of day you are having today? Is the sun shining everywhere around you, but clouds seem to be hovering over your head? I'm right there with you.

A Simple Message

Are you struggling today? Do you feel alone? Does it seem like your prayers aren't leaving the floor?

If you have been reading anything I write for SHINE or anything else, you know I am NOT a woman of little words. EVERYTHING tends to be a book. But today, when asking God what to share, He led me to this scripture...

Delayed Obedience

SERIOUSLY!! Lost keys. I don't have time for this! Have you been there?

Step Into Bravery

I'm convinced courage and bravery aren't character traits.  I don't think they just come naturally. Yes, some individuals just seem to have a larger dose shot into their DNA. But how did they get it? Where does it come from? And what do these two words even mean?

Both bravery and courage are acts of valor and imply a certain strength and fearlessness. However there is a slight difference between the two words.

Courage comes from the French word coeur, meaning heart. It is a quality of character that allows someone to carry through with a difficult premeditated plan of action. “Physical courage” is courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, or death, while “moral courage” is the ability to act justly in the face of opposition, shame, or scandal.

Bravery, on the other hand, comes from the Spanish word bravado, meaning a single or spontaneous act of valor. It is not planned, but rather a knee-jerk reaction that often occurs within a crisis.

Courage is the decision to be brave.

Did you hear that? It is a decision, a choice.

Violent Christians

Should Christians be violent?

Last night at our women's Awakened Worship Encounter, our pastors delivered a message entitled, "The Call to Violence." In short, the theme of the message was from Matthew 11:12 and the fact that we are called to be violent contenders for our callings... mainly the call to on our lives and the kingdom of heaven.

 

The points of the message were that Violent Ones: 1) Keep themselves from offense, 2) Contend for the faith, and 3) Prosper during oppression.

 

I have been doing a word study on The Lord's Prayer and had already been looking at the meanings of "kingdom." So this morning, I began with a word study on "violence" and ended up right back at "kingdom" as I pressed through some of the message.

 

HERE IS WHAT I WANT TO SHARE...

I Want God

I am privileged to get to be part of Lisa Whittle's book launch of her latest book, "I Want God." I have to say, the words within this book are part of the reason you are finding my words on the screen in front of you. The deep revival that is brewing in my soul is partly because of this book and ALL because of God's timeliness.

It is with great honor I will get to share her words of inspiration and how they are playing a role in my spiritual journey toward revival as well. Tonight a friend treated me to a meal out before our women's service at our main campus of The Refuge. The coolest thing about it...

Depressed? Need Revival?

It's been a LONG while since I have written a post. Life has been chaotic and crazy. There have been defeats, disappointments, and distractions. God is renewing my heart to focus on HIS ministry and mission for my life and I am finding revival in my heart day by day. 

I have kind of avoided all the talk about Robin Williams, just because I would much rather promote God than a celebrity. BUT.. it is true that so many deal with hidden issues that is just too hard, shameful, embarrassing, or just too much a sign of weakness to share.