Wrecked.
Wrecked is the only word that comes to mind in this moment. As I sit here wrestling, STILL, with everything I saw and experienced last weekend, wrecked is the only explanation that I can come up with as I try to process it all.
We spend our lives working toward putting ourselves in the "best" situation possible when it comes to our well-being. We seek out the safest towns, the best schools, the most reputable childcare, the friendliest church, the highest paying job, the best neighborhood, and on and on. We work hard providing for our families and play even harder on the weekend. We save our money for the next biggest toy, trip, house, whatever. And we're pleased with ourselves when we vote for the right candidate, pay our taxes, go to church every week, and tithe our 10 percent. But at the end of the day, how can we answer this question...
What kind of legacy am I leaving?
Or for those of us who claim to be Christians...
What kind of legacy am I leaving in the name of Jesus and for the cause of Christ?
I can't quit thinking about the faces I saw last weekend. Those looks of complete hopelessness, total despair, and pain and anger and frustration. Those looks of brokenness that scream, "I have been forgotten." I can't get them out of my head.
As we sit behind our computer screens and make our political statements via Facebook on gun control, illegal immigration, and current politicians, it doesn't even occur to us that there is a real war happening on the streets of our very own neighborhoods. Women, girls for crying out loud, are being sold into a modern-day slave trade. And we do nothing but look down our noses at them assuming they are where they are because of their own personal decisions. And this is just what we do with the faces we see and the information we've been given. But what about the stories we haven't even heard? Is it even ok to use the excuse that we just didn't know?
I've been doing my own investigation and here's what I'm coming up with...
All around the world, girls are being falsely filled with hope as men promise them a bright future with money and jobs. These impoverished families sell all of their belongings just to scrape up enough money to support their daughters as they, too, believe these men who promise them a new land with new opportunities. These girls who have dreamed their whole lives to become nurses and teachers board ships with bags in hand and head to a far away land believing that their dreams have finally come true.
As they enter their new land with hope and eagerness, their dreams become quickly shattered. Most of them, within the first few hours of entering a new city, are kidnapped by a mob of men who take them into a dark room in a far away place and beat and rape each of them one by one. These women, whose eyes once contained light and life, are forced to escape to a dark place deep inside themselves as they merely survive day to day in conditions that are not suitable for animals. These girls, who once played with baby dolls and danced safely within the arms of their own daddies, are forced to service up to 40 men a day meeting requests that are too atrocious for me to even write about. Their families have no idea of their captivity, and they become lost and forgotten in a world of evil and darkness.
Wrecked.
It's all I know to say as these thoughts consume my mind and my heart. If it were me, if it were my daughter or my sister or my mother, I would want someone to fight for me. I want to fight. Please pray for me, friends. Pray the Lord will speak and make His will known. Until then, I know I can help fight this hellish war on my knees. And you can too! Please join me...
Father God,
Your Word is perfect and needs no extra commentary. Straight from the mouth of God, I echo the same..."The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor." (Isaiah 61:1-3) MAY IT BE SO, FATHER GOD! Use me, Lord. Here am I - send me!
In the mighty name of the One who saved me from death, my Savior Jesus Christ - Amen!
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
New Orleans Part 2
You can read the first installment of our story here...
New Orleans Part 1
We 12 women entered the club. And no, we didn't see anything that scarred us for life. In fact, we didn't see anything at all. We had a precious man who led us to the party room where we'd be serving breakfast. He stood outside the door to our room the entire night and checked on us every 10 minutes. I must add...he wore a bullet-proof vest the entire time.
Our 7 men stood outside the entrance to the club and were adamant about not coming inside. This is a strict policy of One Ministry and one I most admire. It is imperative to take drastic measures at protecting the hearts of the men who work within this ministry, as they are no fools at what the devil would like to do to them as a result of working within this industry. It would have been a whole lot safer for them to be inside with us, but they trusted the Lord with their lives and chose to stand outside and pray for us while we served inside the club.
While inside, our group prepared to give those ladies an experience they would remember. We put up decorations, set out delicious breakfast food, displayed Bibles we so hoped to be able to give away, and hung canvas art on the walls with messages of Jesus and hope. And then we waited. While we waited, we prayed and became aware of a very dangerous situation outside. While we were counting on the prayers of our 7 men outside, we found ourselves lifting them up, instead, as they witnessed one horrific act after another. It is so interesting to me...but once we made it inside the club, I felt very safe. Oh, the irony! There is no other explanation than...God. He was there. He was waiting for us before we even came. And He had permeated that room with his sweet, sweet presence. There was nothing like it.
Oh sure! The enemy taunted us all night. Every boom and bang we heard within the walls of that party room, I attribute to him. But he pulled out his big bag of tricks outside where our 7 men were left to survive and to trust the One who had brought us there. While outside, our male group witnessed fights and taunting, curse words and name calling, EVIL in its meanest form. But here's the kicker...NOT one time did our group get touched or messed with. No one spoke to them or even asked them why they were there. Even though they stood out...it was obvious that they were outsiders...no one even made a remark or gesture. We believe, without a doubt, that was because our Lord God had His mighty hand of protection on them the entire time. It was almost as if they were invisible or untouchable...and just maybe they were. They were able to visit some with the club owner and the bouncers outside. Those conversations went well, and we are ALL still in awe of how the Lord fulfilled His promise in Joshua 1:9 as mentioned in my first installment of our story. Our men were in full-on survival mode. My words in trying to describe their feelings just don't do it justice. It was a nightmare. But one thing is certain...as they were in the middle of what I feel like is hell on earth...God was with them and they were not touched.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God... -Isaiah 43:2-3a (NIV)
Inside, we women had a great time serving, visiting and laughing with the ladies of the club. We never once felt scared or threatened. I am thrilled to tell you that a couple of meaningful conversations took place, and verbal invitations were given out for those who'd like to come to One Ministry's home church called Freedom Place - don't you just love that name? We gave out 22 Bibles that night! All in all, 52 women worked the club, and we were able to serve and hang out with about half of them.
When it was time to leave, I had experienced a mixture of emotions. I felt relieved to get out of there. I certainly was tired. But a part of me really wanted and needed to see those girls again. Our group is still processing everything we experienced. We believe the Lord wanted us there for many reasons, and we have asked Him to show us how we are to take what we learned and apply it here where we live and work. We all brought back a personal application, and I can only speak for myself. But because of what I experienced AND because the Lord used a woman who works within One Ministry to speak to my heart, I realized that fear is a serious stronghold in my life. It took me traveling to one of the darkest places in our country to realize how enslaved I am to being afraid. The Lord's message to me was never more clear than what is indicated in Joshua 1:9. There are many things I will remember and several lessons I have learned. But one thing stands out...
We serve a LIVING God!
He is with us always. And sometimes, it's just plain necessary to see what it would look like without Him in our lives. I am so thankful for Jesus, and I need Him every second of every day. And I can't wait to have another opportunity to share with someone else just how much they need Him, too.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. -Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Believe it, friends! Believe it!!
New Orleans Part 1
We 12 women entered the club. And no, we didn't see anything that scarred us for life. In fact, we didn't see anything at all. We had a precious man who led us to the party room where we'd be serving breakfast. He stood outside the door to our room the entire night and checked on us every 10 minutes. I must add...he wore a bullet-proof vest the entire time.
Our 7 men stood outside the entrance to the club and were adamant about not coming inside. This is a strict policy of One Ministry and one I most admire. It is imperative to take drastic measures at protecting the hearts of the men who work within this ministry, as they are no fools at what the devil would like to do to them as a result of working within this industry. It would have been a whole lot safer for them to be inside with us, but they trusted the Lord with their lives and chose to stand outside and pray for us while we served inside the club.
While inside, our group prepared to give those ladies an experience they would remember. We put up decorations, set out delicious breakfast food, displayed Bibles we so hoped to be able to give away, and hung canvas art on the walls with messages of Jesus and hope. And then we waited. While we waited, we prayed and became aware of a very dangerous situation outside. While we were counting on the prayers of our 7 men outside, we found ourselves lifting them up, instead, as they witnessed one horrific act after another. It is so interesting to me...but once we made it inside the club, I felt very safe. Oh, the irony! There is no other explanation than...God. He was there. He was waiting for us before we even came. And He had permeated that room with his sweet, sweet presence. There was nothing like it.
Oh sure! The enemy taunted us all night. Every boom and bang we heard within the walls of that party room, I attribute to him. But he pulled out his big bag of tricks outside where our 7 men were left to survive and to trust the One who had brought us there. While outside, our male group witnessed fights and taunting, curse words and name calling, EVIL in its meanest form. But here's the kicker...NOT one time did our group get touched or messed with. No one spoke to them or even asked them why they were there. Even though they stood out...it was obvious that they were outsiders...no one even made a remark or gesture. We believe, without a doubt, that was because our Lord God had His mighty hand of protection on them the entire time. It was almost as if they were invisible or untouchable...and just maybe they were. They were able to visit some with the club owner and the bouncers outside. Those conversations went well, and we are ALL still in awe of how the Lord fulfilled His promise in Joshua 1:9 as mentioned in my first installment of our story. Our men were in full-on survival mode. My words in trying to describe their feelings just don't do it justice. It was a nightmare. But one thing is certain...as they were in the middle of what I feel like is hell on earth...God was with them and they were not touched.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God... -Isaiah 43:2-3a (NIV)
Inside, we women had a great time serving, visiting and laughing with the ladies of the club. We never once felt scared or threatened. I am thrilled to tell you that a couple of meaningful conversations took place, and verbal invitations were given out for those who'd like to come to One Ministry's home church called Freedom Place - don't you just love that name? We gave out 22 Bibles that night! All in all, 52 women worked the club, and we were able to serve and hang out with about half of them.
When it was time to leave, I had experienced a mixture of emotions. I felt relieved to get out of there. I certainly was tired. But a part of me really wanted and needed to see those girls again. Our group is still processing everything we experienced. We believe the Lord wanted us there for many reasons, and we have asked Him to show us how we are to take what we learned and apply it here where we live and work. We all brought back a personal application, and I can only speak for myself. But because of what I experienced AND because the Lord used a woman who works within One Ministry to speak to my heart, I realized that fear is a serious stronghold in my life. It took me traveling to one of the darkest places in our country to realize how enslaved I am to being afraid. The Lord's message to me was never more clear than what is indicated in Joshua 1:9. There are many things I will remember and several lessons I have learned. But one thing stands out...
We serve a LIVING God!
He is with us always. And sometimes, it's just plain necessary to see what it would look like without Him in our lives. I am so thankful for Jesus, and I need Him every second of every day. And I can't wait to have another opportunity to share with someone else just how much they need Him, too.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. -Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Believe it, friends! Believe it!!
New Orleans Part 1
Where do I begin? At which part? At what twist and turn? How do I accurately describe the terror, the joy, the fear, the exhilaration, the despair, and the encouragement? I probably just don't...I probably can't. But I'll try.
It would be a crime for me not to first express the gratitude and awe I have for those who work at One Ministry. These folks put themselves in danger as they fight on the front lines of a war that feels, at times, completely hopeless. And they do this ALL in the name of Jesus. They, without hesitation, walk right into the middle of total darkness and evil not once doubting that the Lord God is with them at all times. They are living testimonies of an omnipresent and omniscient God. They will tell you...they could not and would not do what they do without God's favor and God's protection. And we received the privilege and blessings that came forth from simply going along with them on the ride of a lifetime.
The facts...
We arrived in New Orleans Friday afternoon around 4. We all tried our best to rest up for what we knew would be an all-nighter. Around 6 we met up for dinner and enjoyed a classic New Orleans cuisine meal having NO idea of what the night had in store. Around 7:30 we made our way into New Orleans East to meet up with the fearless leaders and volunteers of One Ministry. We spent the first part of our evening listening to story after story of how One works at putting a stop to human trafficking on the streets of New Orleans. This is just a portion of what they do. Later, we were told what to expect in the early hours of Saturday morning. We were told of the positive relationships that had been made at a local Gentlemen's Club. The owner and employees of this particular club have grown to love our friends at One, and they were really looking forward to the breakfast that was going to be served in their honor. Some of our One friends went around 10 p.m. Friday night to drop off the table we were going to later need for our food items. When they got there, the girls who work at the club had put out pink balloons at the front door in honor of our friends at One. Just that simple act, alone, showed us how cherished our One friends are AND how effective their ministry is becoming to the broken on the streets of New Orleans.
We spent the early hours of Saturday morning preparing goody bags for both the men and women of the club while also spending a great deal of time in prayer. My dear husband felt drawn to Joshua 1:9 and even prayed it over each member of our group. Some of us actually had written this verse out on an index card and placed it in our pockets so that the Word of God went with us everywhere we went that night and early morning. We had no idea how much these words would mean to us later...
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. -Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
At 2:30 a.m., we loaded up our vehicles with breakfast food, decorations, goody bags, Bibles, and bottled waters and started making the drive to the mission field God had very specifically called us to, yet none of us could have ever imagined or even dreamed up. The closer we got to our destination, the more anxious I became. As I saw club after club with parking lots full of people and cars, I thought to myself...what have we gotten into? When we stopped at a red-light, I thought...I can jump out now and run. But the fear of what I might find myself in on the streets of New Orleans kept me paralyzed. As we turned into the parking lot of the club where we'd be serving, complete and total panic set in. There were at least a hundred people, mostly men, congregating outside the entrance to the club. The volume of their conversations was so loud; I couldn't tell if they were screaming, yelling or laughing. We all stood outside our cars and prayed before we made our way to the front door of the club. There were 12 of us women who would go inside to serve and hang out with the women of the club. Our 7 men would stay right outside next to the front door. All I can say at this point is...I had no idea that our experience inside the club would be totally different from what I ever expected, AND it would also be very different from what our men would have to endure outside on the terrifying streets of New Orleans.
Stay tuned for New Orleans Part 2.
It would be a crime for me not to first express the gratitude and awe I have for those who work at One Ministry. These folks put themselves in danger as they fight on the front lines of a war that feels, at times, completely hopeless. And they do this ALL in the name of Jesus. They, without hesitation, walk right into the middle of total darkness and evil not once doubting that the Lord God is with them at all times. They are living testimonies of an omnipresent and omniscient God. They will tell you...they could not and would not do what they do without God's favor and God's protection. And we received the privilege and blessings that came forth from simply going along with them on the ride of a lifetime.
The facts...
We arrived in New Orleans Friday afternoon around 4. We all tried our best to rest up for what we knew would be an all-nighter. Around 6 we met up for dinner and enjoyed a classic New Orleans cuisine meal having NO idea of what the night had in store. Around 7:30 we made our way into New Orleans East to meet up with the fearless leaders and volunteers of One Ministry. We spent the first part of our evening listening to story after story of how One works at putting a stop to human trafficking on the streets of New Orleans. This is just a portion of what they do. Later, we were told what to expect in the early hours of Saturday morning. We were told of the positive relationships that had been made at a local Gentlemen's Club. The owner and employees of this particular club have grown to love our friends at One, and they were really looking forward to the breakfast that was going to be served in their honor. Some of our One friends went around 10 p.m. Friday night to drop off the table we were going to later need for our food items. When they got there, the girls who work at the club had put out pink balloons at the front door in honor of our friends at One. Just that simple act, alone, showed us how cherished our One friends are AND how effective their ministry is becoming to the broken on the streets of New Orleans.
We spent the early hours of Saturday morning preparing goody bags for both the men and women of the club while also spending a great deal of time in prayer. My dear husband felt drawn to Joshua 1:9 and even prayed it over each member of our group. Some of us actually had written this verse out on an index card and placed it in our pockets so that the Word of God went with us everywhere we went that night and early morning. We had no idea how much these words would mean to us later...
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. -Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
At 2:30 a.m., we loaded up our vehicles with breakfast food, decorations, goody bags, Bibles, and bottled waters and started making the drive to the mission field God had very specifically called us to, yet none of us could have ever imagined or even dreamed up. The closer we got to our destination, the more anxious I became. As I saw club after club with parking lots full of people and cars, I thought to myself...what have we gotten into? When we stopped at a red-light, I thought...I can jump out now and run. But the fear of what I might find myself in on the streets of New Orleans kept me paralyzed. As we turned into the parking lot of the club where we'd be serving, complete and total panic set in. There were at least a hundred people, mostly men, congregating outside the entrance to the club. The volume of their conversations was so loud; I couldn't tell if they were screaming, yelling or laughing. We all stood outside our cars and prayed before we made our way to the front door of the club. There were 12 of us women who would go inside to serve and hang out with the women of the club. Our 7 men would stay right outside next to the front door. All I can say at this point is...I had no idea that our experience inside the club would be totally different from what I ever expected, AND it would also be very different from what our men would have to endure outside on the terrifying streets of New Orleans.
Stay tuned for New Orleans Part 2.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Please Pray For Us
Truth be told, I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook. It definitely has its advantages, but many of us know the "dark side" to Facebook, as well. HOWEVER today, I am so thankful for Facebook and the Internet, in general, because it's a great way for me to get this information out to you. I am asking those of you who would be willing to please lift up my family and me
AND our small group we meet with every Sunday morning over the next week. I often refer to them as my Faith Family, because over the past year, we all have embarked on an adventure we never would have imagined. Which leads me to the purpose of this post.
Over the past year, our sweet Faith Family has committed to serving on our local mission field right here in Lincoln Parish every month. We've been able to see the Lord do some mighty work in us and through us as we've partnered with various local ministries such as DART, Life Choices, Grace Place, Fishers of Men and others. This month, we will be packing up a few of our belongings and heading to New Orleans to help with a mission that none of us could have ever imagined, dreamed up or even thought of. Simply put, God has called us to this place for such a time as this. God is the only explanation. Period.
Next weekend, June 28 & 29, we will be partnering with ONE Ministry in New Orleans. The folks involved in this ministry work diligently to help put an end to human trafficking right there where they are on the streets of New Orleans. One of the things they have done there is establish relationships with some of the owners and employees of several "gentlemen's clubs" in their neighborhood. They have actually gone into these clubs with the simple purpose of showing the love of Christ to the employees who perform there. As a result, God has done a miracle and made a way for ONE Ministry to actually provide breakfast next weekend to one of the club's performers/employees. This is where our group comes in. We will be helping prepare and serve breakfast to the ladies and men who work every night in this particular club. Our hope is that they will catch a glimpse of the love of Christ as we serve them, love them, and offer them gifts that will include a Bible.
This is where we need your help. My husband and I have been adamant about NOT wanting to give the enemy ANY kind of foothold in regards to this mission. Obviously, Satan won't be happy about this, and I expect him to be up to his old tricks in trying to distract us and even convince us that we shouldn't go. But I am approaching the throne of grace with confidence that comes from the Holy Spirit. I have come before the Father asking Him to help us overcome any obstacles that come our way over the course of the next week. Will you please join me in doing the same?
Please ask the Lord to protect us, our children, and our homes while we are away. Ask Him to give us His eyes and give us the ability to recognize tactics from the enemy while granting us the power to send him straight back to the pit of Hell where he belongs. Ask the Lord to equip us with whatever we are going to need to fulfill this mission, to be able to love these ladies (and men) in a way that goes beyond human comprehension, that those we serve will be overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit and will not be able to rest or relax until a decision has been made to surrender to AND follow Christ with their lives. Ask the Lord to give us the words we need, the mannerisms necessary, and the courage to stare the devil straight in the face as we enter an area of New Orleans that is plagued by darkness and evil.
If Christ is for us, then who can be against us? No weapon formed against us shall prosper. We are more than conquerors with the help of the Holy Spirit. Will you claim that for us, please? We need your prayers. Desperately.
Please let me know either through commenting on this blog post or through Facebook if we can count on your prayers. For those willing, will you pray us through that night? We will be working through Friday night into the early hours of Saturday morning. We will be serving breakfast at 4 am on Saturday. Remember, this is NEXT week (June 28-29).
Thank you over and over. We are giving God praise for granting us this opportunity and we believe He has allowed us to be apart of, what we hope, will be a miracle in the heavenly realm. Preparing to see God show up and show out. Won't your join us in believing the same?! Glory to God and His Son Jesus!
"We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us..." -Hebrews 6:18-20 (MSG)
Believing and praying that these ladies (and men) will simply grab the Promised Hope Rope in Jesus' name!
Thank you for praying, friends.
Linds
AND our small group we meet with every Sunday morning over the next week. I often refer to them as my Faith Family, because over the past year, we all have embarked on an adventure we never would have imagined. Which leads me to the purpose of this post.
Over the past year, our sweet Faith Family has committed to serving on our local mission field right here in Lincoln Parish every month. We've been able to see the Lord do some mighty work in us and through us as we've partnered with various local ministries such as DART, Life Choices, Grace Place, Fishers of Men and others. This month, we will be packing up a few of our belongings and heading to New Orleans to help with a mission that none of us could have ever imagined, dreamed up or even thought of. Simply put, God has called us to this place for such a time as this. God is the only explanation. Period.
Next weekend, June 28 & 29, we will be partnering with ONE Ministry in New Orleans. The folks involved in this ministry work diligently to help put an end to human trafficking right there where they are on the streets of New Orleans. One of the things they have done there is establish relationships with some of the owners and employees of several "gentlemen's clubs" in their neighborhood. They have actually gone into these clubs with the simple purpose of showing the love of Christ to the employees who perform there. As a result, God has done a miracle and made a way for ONE Ministry to actually provide breakfast next weekend to one of the club's performers/employees. This is where our group comes in. We will be helping prepare and serve breakfast to the ladies and men who work every night in this particular club. Our hope is that they will catch a glimpse of the love of Christ as we serve them, love them, and offer them gifts that will include a Bible.
This is where we need your help. My husband and I have been adamant about NOT wanting to give the enemy ANY kind of foothold in regards to this mission. Obviously, Satan won't be happy about this, and I expect him to be up to his old tricks in trying to distract us and even convince us that we shouldn't go. But I am approaching the throne of grace with confidence that comes from the Holy Spirit. I have come before the Father asking Him to help us overcome any obstacles that come our way over the course of the next week. Will you please join me in doing the same?
Please ask the Lord to protect us, our children, and our homes while we are away. Ask Him to give us His eyes and give us the ability to recognize tactics from the enemy while granting us the power to send him straight back to the pit of Hell where he belongs. Ask the Lord to equip us with whatever we are going to need to fulfill this mission, to be able to love these ladies (and men) in a way that goes beyond human comprehension, that those we serve will be overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit and will not be able to rest or relax until a decision has been made to surrender to AND follow Christ with their lives. Ask the Lord to give us the words we need, the mannerisms necessary, and the courage to stare the devil straight in the face as we enter an area of New Orleans that is plagued by darkness and evil.
If Christ is for us, then who can be against us? No weapon formed against us shall prosper. We are more than conquerors with the help of the Holy Spirit. Will you claim that for us, please? We need your prayers. Desperately.
Please let me know either through commenting on this blog post or through Facebook if we can count on your prayers. For those willing, will you pray us through that night? We will be working through Friday night into the early hours of Saturday morning. We will be serving breakfast at 4 am on Saturday. Remember, this is NEXT week (June 28-29).
Thank you over and over. We are giving God praise for granting us this opportunity and we believe He has allowed us to be apart of, what we hope, will be a miracle in the heavenly realm. Preparing to see God show up and show out. Won't your join us in believing the same?! Glory to God and His Son Jesus!
"We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us..." -Hebrews 6:18-20 (MSG)
Believing and praying that these ladies (and men) will simply grab the Promised Hope Rope in Jesus' name!
Thank you for praying, friends.
Linds
Sunday, June 16, 2013
A Tribute To My Baby Daddy
Oh sure, I could have gone and spent 4 or 5 dollars on a sappy Father's Day card for my husband. But it seemed more appropriate (and frankly, more fun) for me to compose a few thoughts of why I love this man so much, and how incredibly thankful I am to him for being my baby daddy. This is dedicated to the one I love.
BWC, I sure do love you. Oh yes, I most certainly do. There are many things I love about you, but the thing I love the most is your ability to make me laugh like no other person on the planet. And just for the public's pure enjoyment, I'd like to share three of my all time favorite moments of life with BWC...
#1 Once upon a time, in the days of old, before kids were even a consideration, and Saturday mornings were a golden opportunity to sleep until noon, BWC thought it'd be sweet to rise and shine, throw on his bath robe, and head to the Mickey D's to pick us up some breakfast. As he pulled up to the window to pay and collect his order, he was greeted with one of the most endearing phrases ever known to man. It was so sweet, that we still use it to this day when speaking to one another. The absolutely precious McDonald's female employee noticed BWC's apparel and said, and I quote, "Well shuga, you in yo' robe." And that is why BWC is not allowed to wear his robe out in public anymore.
#2 A very pregnant yours truly had (FINALLY) fallen asleep one night several years ago. I was carrying our first-born child and had gotten to the stage of pregnancy where no position is ever comfortable... not to stand, not to sit, not to lie. And just like that, a modern-day miracle occurred and I had actually fallen asleep in my big ol' fat pregnant state. You can imagine my horror when a cough deeply-rooted into my chest made its way to the surface only to come out of my mouth at an alarming level of sound. Poor ol' BWC had just dosed off and as this very loud and very obnoxious cough made its way out, BWC shot straight up out of bed, yelled loudly, and I quote, "WHERE IS THE BEAR." We still laugh about it to this day.
#3 Before Jesus really got a hold of our lives, we had a very short run with some very bad decisions. And although this stage of life is a bit foggy, I vaguely remember BWC and I taking a trip to Vegas. Just our mere destination goes without explaining why the memories are if-ey. I do remember us being in the lobby of our hotel waiting to meet some friends for dinner. A few folks in our group had already made their way into the lobby and as we were small talking, I noticed a very attractive woman talking to BWC. No big deal, right? I mean...BWC is easy on the eyes, if you ask me. So, I didn't give it much concern as they continued their conversation. Shortly after their initial words, this woman (did I mention she was pretty) nodded her head and walked away. And at exactly the same time, BWC's and my eyes met and he said to me across the lobby with great enthusiasm, and I quote, "I just got solicited for sex. Yea baby, I still got it." That's wonderful, honey. No really...just wonderful.
Bloggey friends, I could totally keep going. I mean, I've got stories like this for days, I really do. But I just wanted to offer you all a small taste of what it's like to live with this incredible man. I have always prayed for my husband as long as I can remember. My mom explained to me at an early age that the Lord had already decided who my husband would be, and it would be very wise of me to pray for him as often as I could. And y'all, I wish I knew how many prayers were offered up on behalf of BWC even way before I ever laid my eyes on him.
It is true...he is an amazing husband and the best daddy a kid could ever hope for. But truth be told, the thing that most attracts me to him...the thing that gets my motor running for this man every single time is...his deep and infectious love for Jesus. He leads our home in a way I never would have imagined. He inspires us all to love the Lord with our lives. Not to just love Jesus with our words and our thoughts, but with our actions. He leads by example...loving others with the love of Christ, devoting his own time and effort to leading others to Jesus through the ministry of his job and various hobbies. Not only does BWC know Jesus personally, but he lives out the purposes of Jesus Christ every single day. He's funny. He's smart. He's my man, but he's also my brother in Christ. Seriously, what more could a girl want?
BWC, I love you. Happy Father's Day. You are, hands-down, my most favorite.
Love,
Linds
BWC, I sure do love you. Oh yes, I most certainly do. There are many things I love about you, but the thing I love the most is your ability to make me laugh like no other person on the planet. And just for the public's pure enjoyment, I'd like to share three of my all time favorite moments of life with BWC...
#1 Once upon a time, in the days of old, before kids were even a consideration, and Saturday mornings were a golden opportunity to sleep until noon, BWC thought it'd be sweet to rise and shine, throw on his bath robe, and head to the Mickey D's to pick us up some breakfast. As he pulled up to the window to pay and collect his order, he was greeted with one of the most endearing phrases ever known to man. It was so sweet, that we still use it to this day when speaking to one another. The absolutely precious McDonald's female employee noticed BWC's apparel and said, and I quote, "Well shuga, you in yo' robe." And that is why BWC is not allowed to wear his robe out in public anymore.
#2 A very pregnant yours truly had (FINALLY) fallen asleep one night several years ago. I was carrying our first-born child and had gotten to the stage of pregnancy where no position is ever comfortable... not to stand, not to sit, not to lie. And just like that, a modern-day miracle occurred and I had actually fallen asleep in my big ol' fat pregnant state. You can imagine my horror when a cough deeply-rooted into my chest made its way to the surface only to come out of my mouth at an alarming level of sound. Poor ol' BWC had just dosed off and as this very loud and very obnoxious cough made its way out, BWC shot straight up out of bed, yelled loudly, and I quote, "WHERE IS THE BEAR." We still laugh about it to this day.
#3 Before Jesus really got a hold of our lives, we had a very short run with some very bad decisions. And although this stage of life is a bit foggy, I vaguely remember BWC and I taking a trip to Vegas. Just our mere destination goes without explaining why the memories are if-ey. I do remember us being in the lobby of our hotel waiting to meet some friends for dinner. A few folks in our group had already made their way into the lobby and as we were small talking, I noticed a very attractive woman talking to BWC. No big deal, right? I mean...BWC is easy on the eyes, if you ask me. So, I didn't give it much concern as they continued their conversation. Shortly after their initial words, this woman (did I mention she was pretty) nodded her head and walked away. And at exactly the same time, BWC's and my eyes met and he said to me across the lobby with great enthusiasm, and I quote, "I just got solicited for sex. Yea baby, I still got it." That's wonderful, honey. No really...just wonderful.
Bloggey friends, I could totally keep going. I mean, I've got stories like this for days, I really do. But I just wanted to offer you all a small taste of what it's like to live with this incredible man. I have always prayed for my husband as long as I can remember. My mom explained to me at an early age that the Lord had already decided who my husband would be, and it would be very wise of me to pray for him as often as I could. And y'all, I wish I knew how many prayers were offered up on behalf of BWC even way before I ever laid my eyes on him.
It is true...he is an amazing husband and the best daddy a kid could ever hope for. But truth be told, the thing that most attracts me to him...the thing that gets my motor running for this man every single time is...his deep and infectious love for Jesus. He leads our home in a way I never would have imagined. He inspires us all to love the Lord with our lives. Not to just love Jesus with our words and our thoughts, but with our actions. He leads by example...loving others with the love of Christ, devoting his own time and effort to leading others to Jesus through the ministry of his job and various hobbies. Not only does BWC know Jesus personally, but he lives out the purposes of Jesus Christ every single day. He's funny. He's smart. He's my man, but he's also my brother in Christ. Seriously, what more could a girl want?
BWC, I love you. Happy Father's Day. You are, hands-down, my most favorite.
Love,
Linds
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Lord, where are you?
How easy it is to get incredibly caught up into our own lives! Even in just the everyday, those mundane tasks can quickly consume our time and before we know it, our lives start to resemble something similar to the movie Groundhog Day. I wonder if anyone is like me and has found themselves in an unfamiliar spiritual place all of a sudden. Alarmingly, I find myself asking...
Lord, where are you?
I know He's there, but lately it's been hard to feel Him, sense Him, experience Him. I remember hearing a sermon once where the teacher believed there are strategic times in our lives where God pulls back. He doesn't go away, mind you, but that sweetness that comes from His presence is missing. This particular teacher believed God does this from time to time so that He can teach us something. That seems to be how He works, isn't it?
I wonder how many of us simply go through our lives developing habits and ways of thinking that we don't even realize we've started, and all of a sudden, we find ourselves feeling dry, empty, lonely even. And here's the kicker...nothing of significance has to even happen to put us in that low place.
(Lord knows just a wave of hormones can put us women in a funk in no time flat.)
It just seems, especially for those of us who have a lot of time on our hands, it's quite easy to find ourselves in an unfamiliar place with the Lord with no explanation whatsoever. You just wake up one day feeling "emotionally weak, physically exhausted and spiritually deflated." (Words straight out of my devotional this morning.) Could it be that we have found ourselves in this place as a result of a life lived outside the standards and alignment set for us by God? Perhaps we've heard His gentle whispers along the way, those heavenly nudges to be cautious, those divinely inspired reminders of dangerous water ahead...so to speak. And for whatever reason, we've chosen to ignore Him. Perhaps, not even out of defiance, but just because...just because we don't have to do what He says.
If any of this is resonating, thank God, I am not alone. In an effort to get ourselves back on steady ground, could we take a moment to simply encourage one another? I want to pray for you, whomever finds herself reading this in this moment. And would you pray for me? One thing I know...our biggest spiritual weapon is prayer. Oh, how we take it for granted! But it is at our disposal at all times and the Lord wants us to use it. It is what leads to victory in our lives, and if we can remember to give God the glory in all situations, He will give us the victory. Amen?
Father God,
Nothing reminds us more of how human we are when we find ourselves feeling down, deflated and empty. Thank you for reminding us that we can not make it without you. Help us to feel your presence today, and in the moments where we can't seem to find you, help us to be relentless in pursuing you anyway. Give us peace in knowing that you are always there, you will never forsake us, and that every moment given to us in this life is an opportunity to grow closer to and more dependent on you. I pray for whomever is reading this prayer right now at this very moment. I pray that you would meet her needs, that you would reveal yourself to her, and that you would heal, restore, replenish and revive her heart, soul and mind. When it's hard for us to track you, Lord, remind us that some of your biggest miracles happen in the pursuit, the trial, the waiting period. Help us to know that our biggest victories come while we're along the journey. Help us to love you with our lives. Help us to lean not on our own understanding but to trust you at all times and in every way. We love you, Jesus.
Amen.
Lord, where are you?
I know He's there, but lately it's been hard to feel Him, sense Him, experience Him. I remember hearing a sermon once where the teacher believed there are strategic times in our lives where God pulls back. He doesn't go away, mind you, but that sweetness that comes from His presence is missing. This particular teacher believed God does this from time to time so that He can teach us something. That seems to be how He works, isn't it?
I wonder how many of us simply go through our lives developing habits and ways of thinking that we don't even realize we've started, and all of a sudden, we find ourselves feeling dry, empty, lonely even. And here's the kicker...nothing of significance has to even happen to put us in that low place.
(Lord knows just a wave of hormones can put us women in a funk in no time flat.)
It just seems, especially for those of us who have a lot of time on our hands, it's quite easy to find ourselves in an unfamiliar place with the Lord with no explanation whatsoever. You just wake up one day feeling "emotionally weak, physically exhausted and spiritually deflated." (Words straight out of my devotional this morning.) Could it be that we have found ourselves in this place as a result of a life lived outside the standards and alignment set for us by God? Perhaps we've heard His gentle whispers along the way, those heavenly nudges to be cautious, those divinely inspired reminders of dangerous water ahead...so to speak. And for whatever reason, we've chosen to ignore Him. Perhaps, not even out of defiance, but just because...just because we don't have to do what He says.
If any of this is resonating, thank God, I am not alone. In an effort to get ourselves back on steady ground, could we take a moment to simply encourage one another? I want to pray for you, whomever finds herself reading this in this moment. And would you pray for me? One thing I know...our biggest spiritual weapon is prayer. Oh, how we take it for granted! But it is at our disposal at all times and the Lord wants us to use it. It is what leads to victory in our lives, and if we can remember to give God the glory in all situations, He will give us the victory. Amen?
Father God,
Nothing reminds us more of how human we are when we find ourselves feeling down, deflated and empty. Thank you for reminding us that we can not make it without you. Help us to feel your presence today, and in the moments where we can't seem to find you, help us to be relentless in pursuing you anyway. Give us peace in knowing that you are always there, you will never forsake us, and that every moment given to us in this life is an opportunity to grow closer to and more dependent on you. I pray for whomever is reading this prayer right now at this very moment. I pray that you would meet her needs, that you would reveal yourself to her, and that you would heal, restore, replenish and revive her heart, soul and mind. When it's hard for us to track you, Lord, remind us that some of your biggest miracles happen in the pursuit, the trial, the waiting period. Help us to know that our biggest victories come while we're along the journey. Help us to love you with our lives. Help us to lean not on our own understanding but to trust you at all times and in every way. We love you, Jesus.
Amen.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Illness, Scissors & Spiders, OH MY!
Sometimes, when I start taking myself way too seriously, I have to take a few moments to get it together, to debrief if you will. You know? In other words, to simply pause and say to myself...
Whoa Nelly!
Or to use my personal favorite phrase of choice...
Alright, stop! Collaborate and listen!
Because if I'm being real honest, my mind honestly feels like a hot mess mix of bad 90s hip hop. What with all the "stop what you're doing cuz I'm about to ruin the image and the style that you're used to" swirling around in my head. With that being said, I thought I'd let ya know what was going down at the family compound.
First and foremost, the baby was sick over the weekend. She had a fever that turned into a cough. And might I say that I read no such-a parenting book that would explain the dry heaving that comes after your child pukes down your shirt while you're holding her? Oh no, there is no such thing that ever prepared me for such a time as this when baby girl gets downright mad because her cough is keeping her awake at night. But hey! At least she's cute, right?
Well let's see...there's that time LAST weekend where the oldest boy thought it ever so clever to dare his younger brother to cut his hair with actual scissors. Isn't that precious? No worries, though. Leave it to the hubs to come up with quite the creative punishment. I'll skip on sharing the details since we don't need none of ya calling the Po-Po on us over here.
And I'll leave you with one final piece of riveting testimony. Last night, after a long day of cleaning and changing diapers and wiping snot and folding other people's drawers, I had finally settled in for the night. As I was watching Friends and feeling the weight of my eye lids, something black was darting straight up the covers right toward my face, my mouth to be exact. I yelled an expletive and threw the blanket back just in time. I then proceeded to slap the thing with the T.V. remote in hopes of putting us both out of our misery. I walked away with the victory with merely seconds to remain. And that, my friends, is how I almost swallowed a spider before dozing off.
(Did you know the average human swallows about 4 to 10 spiders in a lifetime? Of course, this depends ONLY on whether you sleep on your side, back or stomach.)
(In that case, I'll be sleeping standing up from now on, thank you very much.)
(Thanks, a lot, Google!)
Whoa Nelly!
Or to use my personal favorite phrase of choice...
Alright, stop! Collaborate and listen!
Because if I'm being real honest, my mind honestly feels like a hot mess mix of bad 90s hip hop. What with all the "stop what you're doing cuz I'm about to ruin the image and the style that you're used to" swirling around in my head. With that being said, I thought I'd let ya know what was going down at the family compound.
First and foremost, the baby was sick over the weekend. She had a fever that turned into a cough. And might I say that I read no such-a parenting book that would explain the dry heaving that comes after your child pukes down your shirt while you're holding her? Oh no, there is no such thing that ever prepared me for such a time as this when baby girl gets downright mad because her cough is keeping her awake at night. But hey! At least she's cute, right?
Well let's see...there's that time LAST weekend where the oldest boy thought it ever so clever to dare his younger brother to cut his hair with actual scissors. Isn't that precious? No worries, though. Leave it to the hubs to come up with quite the creative punishment. I'll skip on sharing the details since we don't need none of ya calling the Po-Po on us over here.
And I'll leave you with one final piece of riveting testimony. Last night, after a long day of cleaning and changing diapers and wiping snot and folding other people's drawers, I had finally settled in for the night. As I was watching Friends and feeling the weight of my eye lids, something black was darting straight up the covers right toward my face, my mouth to be exact. I yelled an expletive and threw the blanket back just in time. I then proceeded to slap the thing with the T.V. remote in hopes of putting us both out of our misery. I walked away with the victory with merely seconds to remain. And that, my friends, is how I almost swallowed a spider before dozing off.
(Did you know the average human swallows about 4 to 10 spiders in a lifetime? Of course, this depends ONLY on whether you sleep on your side, back or stomach.)
(In that case, I'll be sleeping standing up from now on, thank you very much.)
(Thanks, a lot, Google!)
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