Trust in the Lord. Not Horses.

I have been reading the book of Isaiah over the last few weeks. If you want to read scripture that will scare you a bit, I definitely recommend starting here. Isaiah didn't hesitate to share what God spoke to him to share. I read the following verses this evening and wanted to share my thoughts. 

"Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and who depend on horses! They trust in the number of chariots and in the great strength of charioteers. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel and they do not seek the Lord's help." Isaiah 31:1

Sadly, when I read this verse my first thought was of the modern day church. In the battle for souls, we neglect to seek the help of the Lord and instead turn to the methods of the world. Churches spend obscene amounts of money in marketing research and developing media to attract our entertainment based culture. We think that changing the word of God into a gimmick shows how clever we have become. As if scriptures have not stood the test of time based solely on their divine origin. The success of a church is measured by the cost of their sound system, the technicality of their light shows, what clever props are used to illustrate a sermon point, and the jokes of the pastor. Too many leave church talking about everything except encountering Christ. My Facebook feed on Sunday is full of statuses proclaiming how "on fire" their pastor was or how their church is "the best!" To these posts I want to reply and ask why theirs, of all the churches in the world, should be deemed "best" of all. Perhaps I will start asking. Personally I believe at this point in my spiritual journey, the church I attend is the best for me. Should God direct me to leave, I will follow Him as I have in the past when He directed me to leave prior churches. 

Just as in the above verse, we place our trust in the number of chariots (campuses?) and in the strength of charioteers (personality-driven pastors?) I've heard the argument that the best of everything is necessary in order to show people how special they are to God. Perhaps it is just me, but when I was hurting the most, I didn't really care about whether or not the worship team was playing through smoke from a hazer. I needed Jesus. I needed the presence of the Holy Spirit. I needed hope and the infallible word of God. I needed to hear I was created for more than my present circumstance and receive encouragement to become all that God intended. I didn't need a music concert, I needed to be carried into the presence of God when I didn't have the strength to go there by myself. 

If our trust is in one's strength (or worldly beauty), then what about all those who are not as strong or as "beautiful?" The truth of God's word is that He most often uses those who the world rejects. Moses stuttered. David was a child who tended sheep. Rahab was a prostitute. Even Jesus was described as having no worldly beauty and being rejected (Isaiah 53:3). If we place our trust in our programs, our "larger than life" pastors, or any other trappings of the world, then we are refusing to seek the Lord's wisdom because He often places the greatest treasures in fields not easily seen by men. 

What kind of Christianity would we begin to see if we stopped placing our trust in the "horses" and instead began to trust fully on God? Having learned to trust Him in my personal life, I can only imagine the revival that would take place if we did this corporately as believers! This is when people would begin to take notice of our faith and ask where our hope comes from. People would see us no longer looking like the world, but living set apart. I'm not saying there aren't certain things needed to function as a church body and building, but perhaps many are taking it way too far. What if we trimmed the budget to give away more than we spent? What if we saw a need and met the need rather than referring people to government agencies for assistance? If God can provide it once, could He not provide it again if we give it away? 

Where have you placed your trust? Is it in "horses" or "charioteers?" I pray today for God to examine anything in you that is not trusting Him and Him alone. I pray you have the boldness and faith to trust only in Him! 

The Beauty of Broken by Elisa Morgan

Having felt quite broken in my own life, the title of this book immediately grabbed my attention. The subtitle, "My Story, and Likely Yours Too," made me laugh. I doubt anyone's story is quite like mine. However,the author picked the best title possible for this book. In her book, Morgan tells of how even when doing everything "right" our children and our families can still break. After all, we come from a long line of broken humanity going all the way back to Adam and Eve. As the former CEO of MOPS you would expect her family to be perfect, but that myth is quickly dispelled by the end of the introduction.

I found this book encouraging. My children are only 7 and 14, but many of the experiences of the author have been played out in the lives of my family members. There is so much pressure within the church community to have it all together and for our children to be clean and shiny examples of perfection. However, as Morgan reminds us in this work, our children reach an age of accountability where they are solely responsible for their choices. At times we are to help bail them out and other times God directs us to practice "tough love." Through it all, our love never changes towards our children. If anything, Morgan shares how that love grows even deeper through the learning of life's lessons.

The only part of the book I found a little difficult was the order in which her story is told. Early life stories are told in the end of the book rather than in the beginning. Some of the information revealed in the end chapters would have been helpful to know when reading the stories of events happening later in her life. I would not let this stop anyone from reading the book. In fact, I already know several people whom I will be passing along my copy for them to read.

I highly recommend this book for all parents!

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.”

Despite the Rain

Last night I attended a Unity Festival held here in Charlotte. The goal was to have a day of worship with great artists, but also to unite churches across Charlotte in worship together. It was beautiful as many races gathered together to celebrate Jesus. Before the main headliners came on stage we watched as dark clouds were in the distance and moving closer. As the storm moved closer and the wind picked up, Acts 2:2 came to mind

"And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting."

As everyone was scrambling to hold down tents and cover equipment, I imagined what it must have felt like for the church in Acts to experience a sound like this inside of their home! 

The emcee of the event prayed the rain would stay away so as not to disrupt the concert. However, the rain still came. Many people headed for cover, but there were some of us who stayed as the worship team on stage continued to play. As they wrapped up their set, we began singing "Holy are you Lord God, Almighty. Worthy is the Lamb, You are Holy!" Those remaining on the grass were singing so loudly the worship team joined back in playing with us. The rain was a downpour at this point. As soon as we finished singing the lightning and thunder began so we had to head under the bleachers for safety reasons. 

Upon nearing the safer area, we hear a sound of people there singing, "Mighty are the works of your hand!" The "choir" proceeded into "How Great is Our God." As the thunder, lightning, and downpour continued, the worship never stopped. Here is a short video I recorded of the singing:

What I saw through this experience is how sometimes we can see a storm approaching, but no matter how hard we pray for the storm to pass without rain, the rain still comes. We are then left with a decision to make. Will we continue to worship even in the midst of the rain? Sometimes God provides some shelter from the storm, but the rains still come through. Will we continue to worship in those times?

As beautiful an experience as I had yesterday, some people saw the storm coming, felt the rains, and ran for their car and headed home. Oftentimes in a Christian's walk, this is what happens in the spiritual realm. A storm is approaching, the rains begin, and we run from God. Perhaps we don't trust He'll provide shelter so we take matters into our own hands. The storms keep us from seeking His presence. Maybe we question why it's raining when we prayed for the rains not to come. We had faith for a certain outcome, but it didn't happen. 

The most beautiful part of yesterday's festival happened because of the storm. We were no longer being led in worship by someone on stage. We were the worship. We were the choir. Black. White. Asian. Hispanic. Multi-tribes and multi-tongues. For a few minutes yesterday, we were allowed a glimpse of the heavenly choir. 

What will you do the next time a storm comes into your life? Will you stand your ground and worship even when the winds blow and the rain pours? Will you persevere to remain in His presence when your flesh tells you to run? Will you trust God has a purpose in the storm and listen for the lesson He wants to teach? I pray the next time a storm approaches, you will soak in Him and worship through it all.

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.”