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.

About 2.5 weeks ago, I went to the gym to get some miles in on the treadmill. As I started running, I hit “play” on the video for Session 1 of the 2024 Passion Conference. Tens of thousands of college-aged students lifting up one Name – Jesus. It was a beautiful sound!

In the middle of the singing, Brad Jones and his wife came out on the stage to welcome everyone there. After asking about who had to fly to get there, they talked about people from all over the world being in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

I just kept running.

Somewhere in the midst of the conversation, I heard him mention this verse….””For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him….“ 2 Chronicles‬ ‭16‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Still running…..but the Holy Spirit “pinged” me. There were maybe six people in the gym that night – but at that moment, I was alone and I heard one voice speaking directly to me. “How about you, Jackie? What’s the status of your heart? Is it FULLY COMMITTED?”

I would love to tell you my immediate response was “Yes!” I didn’t lie that night and I won’t lie today. The truth is that SOME parts of my heart were. But there were some other parts that I was tucking away because I wanted to control them. Like these….
➡️ Harboring Unforgiveness because what they did to me was wrong and I was right to be offended and angry.
➡️Speaking in ways that did not honor the Lord because…..see arrow #1.
➡️Struggling with a pretty significant bout of depression/anxiety on my own because I didn’t want to be “a bother” to anyone (and I didn’t want to seem unable to “just handle it”).

I got off of that treadmill, sent a message out to my small group, and asked for anyone who felt a “ping” to meet me for prayer the next morning so we could have some accountability. I wasn’t the only one who got “pinged.” There were six of us in the circle on Monday morning. I’m thankful for honesty….for safe places and people to confess your sins and find healing……because I truly DO want my heart to be fully committed to Him. I can’t do it on my own.

Neither can you.

If my heart is fully committed to Him….the fruit I bear in my life will represent THAT level of heart health. If I’ve got areas that are broken and bruised and hurting….the fruit I bear in my life will represent THAT level of heart health, too. A tree doesn’t produce fruit to feed itself…..it produces fruit to feed others. What kind of fruit is my life bearing to feed those around me? At home? At work? At church? In friendships? In traffic? At Walmart? 😊

People from all around the world converged in Atlanta, GA so that I would have the opportunity to hop on a treadmill in Tuscaloosa, AL and hear directly from Him. I don’t think it was coincidental that I was exercising my heart when He spoke to me about the very thing I was trying to keep healthy.

How’s your heart?

Please don’t have anxiety about the two words mentioned in the photo. Hang with me.

As we wrap up the year, I’ve been pondering a lot of areas of my life.
▶️ Marital Health.
▶️ Family Health.
▶️ Relational Health.
▶️ Professional Health.
▶️ Spiritual Health.
▶️ Physical Health.
▶️ Emotional Health.

In each of these areas, I have some reasons to celebrate and evidence of growth. In each of these areas, too, I have some growing to do.

Insert the recurrent theme of STRETCH MARKS.

I am very aware of what causes stretch marks as I have personal experience with them. To seem more “official,” though, I visited the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic websites to investigate the medical jargon as to why we get them. Essentially, we develop stretch marks on our bodies when there is rapid GROWTH or rapid SHRINKING of our skin.

As we wrap up 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ and prepare to head into 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣, it’s easy to get wrapped up in determining New Years’ Resolutions or goals for the year ahead. The Lord gave me my “word” (actually 2 words) for 2024 in the summer and has been preparing me since then. My two words are BIGGER THINGS.

What that means to me is….
Stretch Marks are coming.

There are some things I want to grow in my life. There are also things I want to shrink. Either way – I hope things look differently on 12/31/24 than they did on 01/01/24. Just a few examples….

Marital – I want to have more intentional and uninterrupted time with Kyle (growth) and less impatience over silly things (shrinking).

Family – I want to be present for my kids in this season of life in ways that are meaningful to them (growth) and less being tired because I’ve invested my best elsewhere (shrinking).

Relational – I want to find more intentional ways to celebrate my friends for who they are to me (growth) and work to reduce social anxiety/isolation (shrinking). Yes, that’s a reality for me.

Spiritually – I want to write and publish my first book, rooted in Scripture, to help people grow in their walk with Jesus and relationships with each other (growth), and I want to maintain the discipline of prayer long after 21 days of prayer to reduce being so reactive in prayer (shrinking).

All of these things…..the growth and the shrinking…..should be evident as they happen and change me. Lord, may Your fruit be evident in my life more and more….and may my fleshiness become less and less. (John 3:30)

Where do you need to grow?
Ask Him to show you.
Find accountability to make it reality.

Where do you need to shrink?
Ask Him to show you.
Find accountability to make it reality.

Stretching….
Shrinking…..
Both necessities.

Believing for “bigger things” in 2024. We are #BetterTogether.