Have you ever referred to yourself as a “Control Freak” and chuckled as you said it? Maybe you’ve called someone else the same. Society has made this kind of a term of endearment these days…..but being a control freak couldn’t be further from a compliment.

Today’s sermon once again spoke to me and brought up some “junk” that is easier to just keep under the surface. While I wish I didn’t have so much “stuff” to address in my life, I’m also thankful for the patience of God as that process happens. Since none of us are named “Waze,” I guess none of us arrived yet.

Today’s message was about having joy even in the midst of challenging circumstances. It may be easier to feel joyful when life is good and trials are over. But I think about these Scriptures that present joy in a different light:

“And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!””
‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭8‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT

Friday was a bit of a challenging day. Our fridge died Thursday night and I was up until 2:30 on Friday morning cleaning up, transferring food to the deep freeze in the garage, and finding irony that I was tending to a fridge that died at the exact same time my dad passed away two years earlier. I ruminated on that all day. Then I ruminated on some things professionally that had me playing through unnecessary “what ifs” and “if/thens.” Nothing – NO THING – good came from any of that.

How sweet the Lord is to send a Word for me today. I was certainly not the only person in the room but felt like I was as the message continued.

Why do we do this? Why do we ruminate on things we can’t control to the point of allowing them to steal our joy? Maybe it’s out of fear or hurt /offense. I don’t know…..but it’s real.

Galatians 5 names “self-control “ as one part of the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus, give me strength to be in control of me and where my eyes are fixed…..and truly trust You with the rest. Help me to find joy in the good, the bad, the easy, the hard, and everything in between.

May we break off the control freak tendencies , stop labeling ourselves and others with that title, and learn to TRUST so we can find You in it all.

If you are reading this, you have not “reached your destination”……you have not “arrived”……so keep on growing. There’s joy in the journey (and grace along the way)!!!

“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.”  Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)

 

I’m not really sure who came up with the little rhyme of “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me,” but they couldn’t have been further from the truth.  Broken bones are much easier to heal than broken spirits. 

 

I’m pushing on 50 years old and have a few scars on my body where I was bitten by a dog, fell on a concrete step with my mouth, and underwent knee surgery for a major softball injury.  There are scars, but they don’t tingle with pain when I see a dog, walk on a concrete step, or play softball.  However, I can recall some things that were said to me or about me back into my childhood years that can bring up a wound as if it happened today.  Some of those words were about my appearance, some of them were in some of the most awkward years of my life (hello, middle school!), some of them were about my personality, some of them were about my leadership, some of them were about my faith.  Regardless of the topic, they were about ME and they hurt.  Some of them made me put walls up around my heart, some of them made me feel rejected in social settings (which still comes up today), and some of them made me feel like I should shrink back from who God created me to be.  Definitely seems like a broken bone would be much easier to address.

 

Today, our Father’s Day sermon at church was about the power of words.  I cried and I was certainly convicted.  Yes, I have had harsh and unkind things said to me and about me.   Sometimes those could have been spoken out of the wounds of the other person; sometimes it was from the “truth” of their perspective.  At the same time, I have also spoken harsh and unkind things to and about others.  My heart is heavy for the way I have used my tongue and words in certain situations.

 

Words. Are. Powerful.  To borrow a phrase I first heard from Pastor Rick Warren, “Hurting people hurt people.”  If we have wounds, if we have unhealed offenses, those things ARE going to come to surface at some point.  Yes, we are human and have frustrations.  However, we are 100% responsible for what we do and say………REGARDLESS of what they do, don’t do, or say.  Today was a reminder to me of some unaddressed hurts I have and some change I want – and need – to make. 

 

The sermon was about giving words of acceptance, of affection, and of affirmation.  While I can quickly remember those who have wounded me with their words, I can also recall those who positively shaped my future because of their words.  In return, I’m able to use my words to add value to others and, prayerfully, positively shape their lives, self-worth, and view of God. 

 

If I have used my mouth to hurt you, I sincerely ask for your forgiveness. 

 

If I have used my mouth to speak negatively about someone to you, I ask for your forgiveness.

 

If I have joined in by listening to negative conversation about others, I ask for your forgiveness. 

 

In the days ahead, if you hear things come out of my mouth that are not true, helpful, inspiring, necessary, or kind……….i ask for your accountability.  No more wounds talking.  No more offense talking.  I want to truly live out God’s Word. As Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for BUILDING OTHERS UP according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

 

This is a very raw and honest post. Let’s be #BetterTogether.

The book of Revelation has A LOT of meat in it and so much to take in, but Revelation 12:11 mentions that “we overcome by the Blood of The Lamb and the word of our testimony.”

Have you ever thought about how many testimonies we read and share again and again, but they belong to someone who is “unnamed?” In fact, since we don’t know the names of the people who these testimonies belong to, we often introduce them and retell their stories based on their “issue” or their “circumstances.” Hang with me here…..

✝️ John 4 introduces us to a woman we know as either “The Samaritan Woman”
Or “The Woman at the Well.” We don’t know her actual name. What we do know is that she came to the wel looking for a drink of water and found The Living Water! This woman had moved from man to man, marriage to marriage, and was currently living with someone to whom she was not married.

✝️ Luke 23 introduces us to a criminal we know as “The Thief on the Cross.” He and another man just like him were being crucified along with Jesus…..one spewed out anger and bitterness; one asked to go to Heaven.

✝️ 2 Kings 4 introduces us to a woman we know as “The Widow and Her Jar.” Her husband had passed away and the creditors had come calling. She had nothing to give – other than her two sons and one empty jar.

✝️ John 6 introduces us to someone only mentioned as “a young boy.” That young boy was in the midst of thousands of people and he didn’t have anything to offer….except his presence, some fish and some bread.

✝️ Mark 5 introduces us to a woman we refer to as “The Woman with the Issue of Blood.” We know that society deemed her as “unclean,” unwanted, and rejected.

None of these heroes of the faith were named. We relate to them based on their “issue” or circumstances. In today’s society, most would be offended because their story was told without giving THEM the credit. We may not know their names…..but I feel certain that Jesus did. These testimonies (and so many more in Scripture) are showcases of God’s power alone….and probably why we continue to tell them time and time again.

So, what happened with these “unnamed heroes?”

✝️ The Woman at the Well had a life changing encounter with Jesus. Her son was confronted, but she was not shamed. She went away from there amazed and told everyone who she had met. Her life was changed eternally…..and she carried that hope to so many. No matter how “deep” or far back your story goes – it can all become a story of redemption when it encounters a Redeemer.

✝️ The Thief on the Cross asked Jesus to remember him in His Kingdom. Jesus told “the thief” that today he would be with Him in paradise!!!! That thief never had the opportunity to hop down off the cross and “do enough good” to pay for his sins and make his way to heaven. The good news from his testimony? We don’t have to either, because Jesus did it all!

✝️ The widow in 2 Kings 4 talked to Elisha, who told her to bring what she had…..only a flask of oil…..and to borrow some others from her neighbors. She did just that and the oil continued to multiply until every jar was filled. Her testimony reminds us that being obedient with what seems little in our eyes opens the door for God to bless and multiply our obedience.

✝️ That “young boy” just happened to be there…and he gave what he had to help solve a dilemma. We might discount young people and what they have to offer. However, THIS young boy was there, was available, was generous, and led to the feeding of many thousands of people in a time of need. We see that we can’t discount what Jesus can do through anyone who will be available….including YOU!

✝️ The Woman with the Issue of Blood lived in her isolation for too long and finally responses out of courage. She had to make the decision that risking getting to Jesus was far better than another 38 years hemorrhaging in isolation. She just had to touch the hem of His robe….something that was touching Him….and He rewrote her story. What issue is keeping you in isolation? He is better.

See? Unnamed heroes have POWERFUL testimonies. And so do WE. We tell their stories because we find ourselves in them. We relate to “the characters” and we definitely relate to “the issues.” More than any of that….when we find Jesus in the midst of all circumstances – everything changes.

I know the testimony of Jackie. And Kyle. And Caleb. And Macy. And Jerry. And Mary. And Angel. And Kim. And Beckey. And Vanessa. And Liz. And Lisa. And ________________. (Yes, you.)

They’re not unnamed anymore…their testimonies continue to impact me and others. Don’t doubt that yours does the same!!!

I know a few people who play baseball. Some pitch and have to learn how to throw them accurately. Others stand in the batter’s box and have to learn how to hit them accurately. Curveballs are a part of the game!

Off of the field – what about in life? We really have three responses.

1. Dodge them. (Then someone else takes the hit.)
2. Get hit by them. (Ouch.)
3. Respond accurately to them. (Hard and often time-consuming, but best choice.)

Straight out of the gate, let me share God’s Word: ”I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”“
‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We like to have a trouble-free, worry-free, curveball-free life. However, that’s not reality and never will be. In the midst of it all, though – we are not alone!

This week, I think I’ve done all three things. I dodged some (and extend apologies to the people who may have been hit by what I dodged). I was definitely hit by some (hard objects moving at high speeds HURT when they hit you and leave marks – and healing takes time). And I did respond accurately to some (and am so thankful for the people around me who helped me do this). All in one week. A “normal” week, whatever that’s supposed to mean. 🤪

The first curveball is not a big deal.
Maybe not even the second.
But when they keep coming – it’s hard to keep a right perspective and “stay in the game.”

So, friend – go ahead and suit up. Get ready to step on the field and play. Be sure you’ve surrounded yourself with a supporting cast who can hold you up when you fall short or run out of gas – and, in return, you do the same for them. Trying to handle them alone is like standing against a wall in a game of dodgeball with 30 people armed and ready to take you out. Don’t do it!

Curveballs are coming. Trials are coming. How will you respond?

#BetterTogether

Today marks the third day of the NFL Draft. As an unashamed sports enthusiast, it’s exciting to see where our Alabama guys land….ROLL TIDE! The process of the draft is intriguing. These teams have been watching these players….their strengths, their weaknesses, their work ethic, and their coachability. The commentators size up every one of the players and the teams drafting them. In the big scheme of things, what seems to matter most is the FIT. What does this player have that can fill a gap for this team and make them better? We often hear the phrase, “teamwork makes the dream work,” and this is such a great example of that truth. One person can’t turn a team around alone. But one person can make a tremendous impact on a team…..good or bad.

1 Corinthians 12 is a beautiful picture of how the body – the “team,” if you will – should work. Take a minute and read the whole chapter.

”If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.“ 1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

For an NFL team, if the quarterback can’t or won’t throw, the wide receiver suffers. So the team suffers. If the offensive line can’t or won’t block, the quarterback and running back suffer. So the team suffers.
What happens when that’s reality? The team loses heart. They get discouraged. They may even get to the point of turning on each other. Every single one doing their part is essential to the success of the whole.

So it goes in the Body of Christ – The Church. If your gift is encouragement – encourage. If it’s giving – give. If it’s praying – pray. If it’s teaching – teach. Your gifts are needed and valued – and they make the Body whole.

On an NFL team…..
In the Body of Christ…..
In your business or organization….
In your family…..
Bring YOUR best. Bring your flavor and talents to the table. You’re needed – and you make a bigger difference than you may know. Teamwork DOES make the dream work.

Consider yourself drafted.