Friday, February 25, 2011

Ballin' Y'all

Today is an exciting day for me.  My sweet friend, Em, is posting one of my writings on her blog today.  Each Friday, she showcases one of her friends' writings on her blog Down and Dirty.  Below is the link to her blog.  Please check it out.  She is a very gifted writer, and I know you will be inspired by what she has to say.

http://keepinitdownanddirty.blogspot.com/

I have decided to post the same entry that Em is posting on her blog today.  That way, you can read about what's going on in my world AND have the opportunity to check out her blog, as well.  My post is a little random and quite quirky, but try to enjoy...

Those closest to me would definitely say I am a black girl trapped in a white girl's body.  I say this with the utmost respect.  There is nothing remotely racist about anything I am about to say.  Truth be told, our African American sisters can do a whole lotta things better than us white girls.  When it comes to keeping a rhythm, the average white girl just...how can I say this...struggles.  Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved shaking my tail feather.  Any time music came on, I started rockin' this booty from side to side.  I'm telling y'all, something just takes over my body.  I really can't stop it sometimes.  And why should I?

Most days, I am doing the stay-at-home mom thing.  Most days, I am wiping snotty noses, cleaning babies' bottoms, or organizing and reorganizing the, what seems to be, multiplying collection of toys we own in our home.  Most days, I am a loyal wife, a Sunday School teacher, friend, sister, and daughter.  But today?  Today, I am letting my hair down.  Today, I am letting the dirty clothes pile just a little bit higher.  Today, I am letting the dust collect over my furniture just a little bit thicker.  Today, I am putting on my dancing shoes and getting my groove on in the best way I know how.  Below are the lyrics to the chorus from a newly released Christian rap song by an artist who lives in my area.  I've also provided the link below to the entire song.  Before you listen to the song, I  want you to take a minute and just read the following lyrics to the chorus... 

"If tha Lord is in tha building and ya really know ya feel Him, get 'em high!  Get 'em high!
If ya feel him in ya soul, won't you step up on ya toes?  Get 'em high!  Get 'em high!
If ya love tha way ya feelin', won't ya try to touch tha ceilin'?  Get 'em high!  Get 'em high!
Can't nobody gonna do ya like the Lord.   Go on praise God!!"

Sometimes, don't ya just need to get your praise on?!  Sometimes, don't you just need to hush the sounds of life, turn up the volume on your favorite praise jam, and shake ya tail feather...ALL for the glory of the Lord?!  That is me, today.  Life is just hard, you know?  And it ain't gettin' easier.  So, why not stop?  Stop what you're doing, click on the link below, turn the volume way up, and dance like nobody's watching.  Life just isn't life if not spent in the presence of the Lord.  What better way to do just that than dancing and worshiping Him?!

"Then Peter said, 'Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.'  Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong.  He jumped to his feet and began to walk.  Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God." -Acts 3:6-8

Get up.  Walk.  Run.  Jump up and praise God.  Shout with joy.  Dance before the Lord.  Raise your hands and worship your King.  Go on, friends!  Get 'em high!!  Get 'em high!!

http://www.ilike.com/artist/Big+Al+(Monroe,+LA)/track/Get'em+High

Friday, February 18, 2011

Lovin' me some ME

Recently, I have been real infatuated with myself.  Lately, I've been real stuck on me.  It's just been a matter of days, maybe more than a few days, where I have found myself really thinking about me and what I need, what I want and what is owed to me.  I've been so smitten with myself lately that I've given little to no regard to those around me...haven't really even cared recently how my decisions, my mood, or my attitude has impacted others.  While in the moment, it felt kind of good to roll around in my own selfishness.  But I am realizing now how short-lived it all was.

Now?  Now, I'm really sick of myself.  Seriously, I am making my own self sick.  Really, I didn't know how unattractive all of this self-full-ness looks.  I'm actually nauseated.  And for that, I am thankful. 

I am full of many faults.  But two of my biggest battles I face in the flesh are 1)selfishness and 2) moodiness.  I've battled these two demons for as long as I can remember.  And while I realize the Lord has brought me a long way, this week couldn't have served as a better reminder of just how far I still have to go.  I remember one day in particular, I found myself being really annoyed at the energy it takes to love on other people...especially people who can be so un-lovable at times.  You know what kind of people I'm talking about?  Those people Rick Warren so accurately described in his book The Purpose Driven Life.  People known as EGRs...Extra Grace Required.  I found myself being selective with these EGRs in my life as to how much love I thought they deserved from me.  I also found myself deciding not only how much love to give them, but how much time and energy I should give them, as well.  I mean, it is MY life, right?  Don't I get to make the call on who I allow in and out of my life?  Don't I have a say in who I love and want to be friends with?  Here is how the Lord answered me the other morning when I was asking Him these questions..."Ugh - NO!!  No, Lindsey, you don't.  But I do.  Period."

The Lord helped me realize that He could have restricted His love to His 12 disciples.  He could've decided to invest His time and energy in their lives, exclusively.  But He didn't do that.  He gave His love to the entire world and still does to this day.  More than that, He has never limited the love He's given to me.  He's never once put any kind of restriction on the love, grace, forgiveness, and patience He's given me throughout the years of my life.  So, who am I to restrict my love?  Just who do I think I am?  I have no right. Nor, will I ever have that right as long as I call myself a follower of Christ.  Love is at the heart of who Christ is.

Each day, the Lord pours His love and blessings upon my life.  And even though there are many reasons why I should love others, the fact that He loves me SHOULD and IS enough reason by itself.  It's not easy for me to admit these two boogers of faults in my life.  It's, honestly, quite embarrassing.  But one passage of Scripture stands out in my mind that helps me get over my shame.  Second Corinthians 12:9 says, "And he has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.'  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."  Ultimately, that is what I want more than anything...for Christ's power to dwell in me.

Now, my second issue...my moodiness.  Well, I will have to tackle that another day.  As for today, I have some repenting to do.  After that, I plan to kick my own butt.  Yea, it's true.  I sure love me some ME.  But today, I choose Jesus over self.  I sure love me some Jesus.  Now THAT sounds (and feels) much better.

Linds

Monday, February 14, 2011

It's Valentine's Day!! So what?! Well, let me tell YOU what's WHAT!!

As we celebrate a marketer's dream today, I would like to remind you of what the REAL definition of love is on this Lover's Holiday.

From 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a in The Message...

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
doesn't have a swelled head,
doesn't force itself on others,
isn't always "me first,"
doesn't fly off the handle,
doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
doesn't revel when others grovel,
takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
puts up with anything,
trusts God always,
always looks for the best,
never looks back, but keeps going to the end.
Love never dies.

So, if you find yourself suddenly very aware of how incredibly single you are, OR how insanely lonely you are, OR how freakishly miserable you are, OR how nauseatingly in LOVE you are, be reminded of what love really is.  Be reminded, too, of the One who loves you more than anyone....so much as to give His own life for you.  Remember who you are and Whose you are!!  HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, EVERYONE!!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Having Faith

Yesterday, my life was forever changed.  My hubs and I are expecting our 3rd child, and we went to the doctor to find out the sex of the baby.  First you must know that we already have 2 boys, my sister has 2 boys, my husband's brother has 3 boys, and almost every cousin on my husband's side of the family is...you guessed it...a boy.  So, with my mind full of snails, shotgun shells, and puppydog tails, I walked myself right into that ultrasound room with the expectation of hearing, "It's ANOTHER boy." 

This goes without saying, I'm sure, but that is NOT what we heard.  The ultrasound technician said with the sweetest voice you can ever imagine, "Well, it's a girl."  After my head spun off my body, and after my blood pressure spiked through the roof, and after I finally caught my breath, you can imagine how overwhelmed I was with joyful shock.  I cried and cried and cried, and the only words I could muster up were, "Thank you, Jesus." 

We would have been thrilled to have another boy.  There is so much comfort and confidence that comes with having another boy because we've done that twice before.  We love our little boys and would have been beside ourselves to welcome another one, but y'all, IT'S A GIRL!  A girl.  A sweet little bow-wearing, dress owning, and babydoll toting girl.  Yes, indeed, our lives have been forever changed.  Psalm 37:4 never sounded sweeter.  "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Dear Lord,
I praise you for what you've done.  For you have, without a doubt, given me the desires of my heart.  So often, Father, You go beyond simply meeting my expectations.  I know you delight in exceeding them.  It gives You great pleasure, and for that, I thank You.  This is a very special time in my life.  I have many reasons to be joyful and thankful.  Help me to be ever-mindful of Your presence in my life.  And it is my hope that You will continue to teach me how to praise and love You more...even when that brings heartache.  I surrender all my hopes and dreams for this precious little girl.  I give them ALL to You and simply ask for Your will to be done for her life.  Move me when I am in the way, use me in pointing her to You, and love me by loving her like You've loved me so much already.  Protect her.  Pour blessings upon her life.  And help her father and me to be a reflection of who You are in our lives EVERYDAY.  I love you, Abba.  Amen.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." -Romans 15:13