It Goes Way Beyond Miley

"You the hottest b---- in this place"
"Let me be the one you back that a-- to"
"Yeah, I had a b----, but she ain't bad as you"
"I'll give you something big enough to tear your a-- in two"
"Nothing like your last guy, he too square for you, He don't smack that a-- and pull your hair like that"
"Not many women can refuse this pimpin'"

These are all lyrics from a song nominated at the VMA's in the categories of Video of the Year, Best Song of the Summer, Best Male Video, and Best Collaboration. 

It seems to me we need to be outraged at way more than Miley Cyrus' VMA performance. We need to be outraged out ourselves. We need to be looking in the mirror and asking ourselves why songs with lyrics like the ones above become popular enough to be nominated multiple times for awards. We are giving honor to degradation of women. 

Yet again the word "pimpin'" is used as if it is no big deal. Wake up people! I pimp is a slave owner. A pimp abuses, manipulates, and sells women for his own personal gain. If someone wrote a song about selling or owning another race, we would see immediate outrage. The news would air the story for weeks. However, when a man sings about owning a woman and referring to her as a "b----," we deem it worthy of awards? 

Have we lost all of our common sense? Do we really think so little of ourselves? Do we think so little of our daughters? Dads, is this really the value you want your daughter to place on herself? If you view any woman in this way, then you are saying your daughter is worth so little also. The woman you call a b----? She's someone's daughter. The woman you see as nothing more than a sexual object is no different than your own child. Mothers, we are the examples to our daughters of what it means to be a woman. If you allow yourself to be degraded, then she will grow up believing degradation and abuse is normal. You are worth so much more! 

Sadly, the music industry will keep supplying where there is a demand. As much as we want to scream in outrage at what we see on television and hear in music, we are the ones to blame. If degrading songs didn't sell, nobody would make them. If outrageous performances didn't garner so much attention, they wouldn't be performed. The issue lies within ourselves and our culture. As long as men and women are willing to sacrifice their morals and lack of self control, the media will keep feeding us what we are living. The more extreme the media, the more desensitized we become in our "real" lives. Once upon a time Elvis was considered controversial. He would now be hired for children's parties because his dances were conservative compared to what we see today. 

I pray you become more aware to what you are putting into your hearts and spirits. What you put in is what will come out. Where do we draw the line? Do we throw our hands up in defeat? Or are we willing to fight? The fight begins in our own homes. Stop listening to the music. Stop watching the television shows. Go outside and play with your children. Go volunteer to help someone less fortunate. Listen to music that will feed your soul and spirit in a healthy way rather than in a sexual way. Watch television programming that will inspire you to be a better person. What changes do you need to make? Start today.

Measuring Up

Last night I heard Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker and author Renee Swope speak and there was one thing she said that has resonated deeply with me. We can often hear a speaker or preacher and walk away thinking it was a good message. When we wake up the next morning with one particular thing on our mind, we need to give it more time and attention. Renee stated one of the greatest ways our confidence is stolen is through comparison to others. When we compare our inner lives with someone else's outer life, we will never measure up. When we look around us, we will never measure up. What we miss is the true direction of our measurement is found in measuring UP! 

So much of our identity is based on our outer appearances such as our bodies, our homes, our jobs, or how our children behave. However, those things are not what God uses to measure us. You could live in a million dollar home, but be living in disobedience to God if He has called you live in a grass hut in Africa. You could be a doctor, but God has called you to preach. You may feel like the least talented person in the room, but God has called you to sing and lead worship. You could feel inadequate as a speaker or writer, yet God has called you to write for Him and share your story to give Him glory (excuse me as I raise my hand on this one). 

What is it you use to measure yourself? How do you define success? Does your definition match the one God would give for your life? 

"But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”  1 Samuel 16:7

Instead of measuring your life based on those around you, make today the day you begin measuring UP.

The King of Good Gifts

Last week I posted on Facebook asking if anyone had connections to get tickets to The Lion King show playing in Charlotte this month. My youngest daughter, age 7, has been asking for over a year to see this show. Anytime she hears "New York City," she reminds me that is where we have to go to see the show. It seems like a silly wish, yet it's something she has talked about for over a year and such a big desire of her heart. Working more in ministry now than in a "real" (translation: paying) job, spending the money on tickets to see a Broadway show is not high on the budget list. 

At church on Sunday someone mentioned having seen my post and asked how many tickets I would need. I told her, but did not think much more about it after leaving church. I just received a message with a photo of three tickets with the caption, "Save the date. These are yours." I am so overwhelmed right now. This is just another reminder of how much God cares for not just me, but for my children. We all want to give our children the best. Perhaps the hardest part of walking out the walk I've chosen has been the feeling of not being able to "provide" in the way I would like for my children. However, through it all they have never lacked for anything. They have never gone hungry. They always had clothing so they never went cold. They have never been without a safe place to rest at night. They have never gone a day wondering if anyone loves them. When it comes to the things in life that truly matter, we live in abundance. But honestly, yes, there are some material things I'm not equipped to provide. But there are people who are, and God uses them to bless us. 

This experience has me thinking tonight about how much God truly cares for us and our children. As much as I love my girls, God loves them even more than I could ever imagine. As much as I care about the desires and wishes of their hearts, He cares even more. Not only does He care about the wishes of their hearts, but He cares about mine also. As excited as I am to watch Olivia's face as she realizes where she is going (I'm keeping it a surprise until we arrive for the show), God gets even more excited as He watches us receive the desires of our heart. Just as Olivia has no clue she is about to get her wish, I wonder how many of us are close to seeing our hearts wishes come true and have no idea of what is just around the corner. Does God sit watching us, giggling in anticipation of seeing our reactions to His good gifts? Does He tap Jesus on the shoulder, point at us and say, "Watch what's about to happen to this one! She has no idea what is about to happen! She's been waiting and praying for this for so long and it's happening!" 

"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" Matthew 7:11

What is that thing you have been praying about for years? What is that desire of your heart that to some may seem frivolous, definitely not a necessity, but is something you long to have in your life? God cares about that thing! I'm not talking about just wanting a bigger television because your neighbor just got a bigger one and you want to compete. God not only knows your hearts desires, but He also knows your motivation behind those desires. Don't give up on those desires! It may seem as if nothing is being done about those desires, but God truly cares about them and will work them all out in His perfect timing. On the other side of the story is whether God is wanting to use you to bless someone you know. Has He given you the means the bless someone who needs a reminder of how much God cares about them? If you are the one in that position, be willing to let Him use you!

All In by Mark Batterson

All In is 170 pages written to kick you in the face and call you to a higher level in your walk with God. If you are struggling with fear of change or fear of walking into the call God has for your life, this book will address those fears and give you the guts to step out in faith! The author does an excellent job in sharing stories from scripture and of other Christians throughout history who gave their all in order to follow Christ.

Being someone who has quit their job because "God told me to," this was a book I was immediately intrigued to read. Even though I have personally taking some bold steps of faith, All In has inspired me to dream bigger. There are areas of hesitation I've experienced and I believe the author must have known these areas because he wrote about them.

This book would be great for a small group study or for reading together as a family. If one person can be inspired by this book, then how much more could be accomplished if others were inspired as well? Batterson does an excellent job of challenging every believer to examine their personal walk with Christ and ask themselves if they are truly "all in" or just sitting on the sidelines watching as the "game' is being played.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Delighted in the Wilderness

I'm always taken aback as I read the gospel of Jesus as recorded in Mark. When Jesus is baptized it is recorded the heavens opened and the voice of God spoke proclaiming, " You are my beloved Son; I take delight in You!" (Mark 1:11) The reason this always gives me pause is how God proclaims His delight and love before Jesus ever truly began His ministry. So often we think we have to perform or behave in a certain way in order to "earn" God's love and approval. Before Jesus performed any miracles or preached to the multitudes, God was delighted! So often people say they will come to church or accept Christ once they get their life cleaned up. While it's true Jesus lived a life without sin, through His death we too can come to God unashamedly and boldly. He is ALREADY delighting and madly in love with you!

Mark continues to share how immediately after this event of God's approval, Jesus is driven into the wilderness for 40 days. Interestingly enough, it was the Spirit who drove Him to go into the wilderness. The devil had no control over Him being there, yet he monopolized on the opportunity to tempt Jesus. All the while satan was tempting Him, the wild animals were with Him and angels served Him. I believe a similar event happens to us upon discovering who we are in Christ. When we learn how beloved we are, the enemy begins a full on attack. There is power in discovering our identity in Christ. As long as we listen and believe the lies of the world, we are of no threat to satan. The moment our heart grasps how our Father God views us and we begin to glimpse our purpose for living, satan is immediately threatened. 

Just as Jesus was served by the angels, we too have a guiding voice surrounding us in the form of the Holy Spirit. When satan attacks or we feel we are in the wilderness of life, we must remember we have forces working for us we will never see. It is also important to remember the wilderness is not always a bad thing or a place designed by the devil. Jesus was led there by the Spirit! It was a necessary part of His process. It is in the wilderness we find the extent of our strength. It is in the wilderness we learn to depend on something beyond ourselves. If we want to be more like Jesus, we often must begin by going through the wilderness.

The Spirit of God is on Me

"The Spirit of the Lord God is on Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and freedom to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of our God's vengeance; to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion; to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair. And they will be called righteous trees, planted by the Lord, to glorify Him." Isaiah 61:1-3

As I am reading these verses tonight there is a common theme that is jumping out to me. The Spirit of God comes on us not for our own benefit. The anointing is not for us to keep to ourselves. Knowledge and wisdom are not simply to better our own lives. These things all occur so we can bring, heal, proclaim, comfort, provide, and give! So often we ask for more of God's presence in order to benefit ourselves. We cry we want more of God in our lives, but what is our motivation for making such a request? Are we asking because we have had a rough day or because our financial situation is bleak? Or are we asking for more in order to be able to impact others?

There are many things we can do in this world on our own. We can have earthly wisdom to manage our finances. We can even make ourselves busy with doing "good" things for others. However, in our own strength and power we will not be able to sustain longevity in these things. Speaking from personal experience, spending time with the truly poor, the brokenhearted, and the captives is very draining work. There is a reason why laboring for Christ is often referred to as being "used" by God. You will definitely feel you have been used! This is why it is absolutely necessary to have His Spirit and His anointing. Without it we can become easily tempted to quit.

I believe when we start fulfilling this list, bringing good news to the poor, healing the brokenhearted, etc. we will begin to see more of God's Spirit poured out on us. We are told whomever is wise with the talents given will be given even more (Matt 25). Might the same apply to whomever is faithful and wise to use the measure of God's Spirit given to each of us? If we use it to impact others, then might God pour out even more of His Spirit to us? Notice what happens to those who were once brokenhearted and mourning. They become the ones called righteous in order to glorify Him! There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a life once in captivity becoming set free as the seeds planted grow into saplings and eventually strong, righteous trees! 

How are you using the Spirit of God to operate in your life today? Are you seeking more of Him in order to be filled to pour out more to others? I find the more I reach out in His name to those He treasures, the hungrier I become for more of Him. The anointing of God was never intended to be stored away, but to be poured out frequently and liberally. I pray each of you seek His guidance to where He would have you serve others in the days to come. As you minister to others I pray you feel a greater outpouring of His spirit and anointing!

Nearing Home by Billy Graham

I found "Life, Faith, and Finishing Well" an excellent subtitle for Nearing Home by Billy Graham. Who better than Reverend Graham to give wisdom and guidance on how to walk out our faith all the way to the end of our days? A myriad of books exist on living for the "now" and how to extend the health of your life, but few address the subject of aging well. However, don't be quick to judge this as a book only for elderly readers. No matter your age you can gain wisdom from Rev. Graham.

I had wanted to read this book since it was first released, but had not found the time until now. I was not disappointed by my waiting. I learned how to approach aging not only for myself, but also how to address different issues facing the elderly. I was reminded how the value in life is not in material possessions, but in our relationships and the spiritual legacy we leave behind. I found the book easy to follow and quick to read. I read most of it while spending the afternoon at the pool! In true Graham fashion, the book contains numerous scriptures to support each statement made by Reverend Graham. Each chapter begins with both a supporting scripture and a quote from someone else. I am thankful for the not only the spiritual advice, but also the practical advice shared regarding wills and similar matters most people do not consider until later in life. There are not many books I keep to read again in the future, but this one will remain in my collection.