Thursdays in the Truth: SYATP, a reminder to pray

Today, my kids and I participated in “See you at the pole” at my son’s elementary school. See you at the Pole is an annual event that started in 1990 when a youth group in Texas started praying for their school, on campus at night. Word spread, and now students meet at their flagpole at the schools across the nation and world on the 4^th Wednesday of September.

I remember attending one SYATP in junior high, but had not been to one since then, until today.

It was such a beautiful sight. Parents and kids, student, teachers, and even district employees gathered together, held hands, and prayed to God.

Here’s a picture a parent posted on Facebook:

It wasn’t about what church you went to, or what your denomination was. It was a group of people meeting together to pray to God for our school, students, and community.

The pastor of our church often talks about the little c and big C church. Little c being our church, and the Big C being all the Christian churches around the world. We attend one little c church. But today was all about the Big C; People of all different denominations, holding hands and assembling in prayer. All praying to the same God, who gave us Jesus his son as a sacrifice, so we can live forever with him.

Today’s event sparked a fire in me. I need to be praying for my kids’ schools on a daily basis. I should be praying for the students, employees, the families of the students, and the entire community. Praying for protection, for guidance, and that God be glorified in the school.

Paul said it perfectly in his letter to the church in Ephesus:

Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

(This verse was also this year's theme for SYATP)

So friends, mark your calendar and get yourself and your kids to the pole next year (September 23, 2015).

Thursday's in the Truth: Weakness

I am currently doing a study called Gideon by Priscilla Shirer.  Gideon is someone you would least suspect to do the job God has called him to do.  He questions God, gets his answer, and then asks again for clarity just to be sure.  Read it here:

Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised— look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.”  And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.”  That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew. Judges 6:36-40

So often, I question God.  I doubt that I am the right person for the job, that this is really where I am suppose to be, but God is slowly showing me (and pounding it in my head) that I am where I am because God is able to shine through my weakness.  I can’t do my job on my own.  I feel inadequate and incompetent yet God sees me as capable. 

I came across this verse in 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 that really challenged me, “Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.  He has made us competent as ministers of the new covenant - not of the letter but of the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

Ultimately, it is not about me.  I am just the vessel that God is choosing to use.  Yes, I constantly questioning where I am and seeking reassurance from God (just like Gideon did) but I am learning that I need to stop focusing so much on my weaknesses and start realizing the ability and power my God has.  When I am weak, HE is strong.  I am incompetent to do my job, but MY GOD, is capable.  If I lay myself down, and allow God to work through me, we will be able to do so much more.

What situation are you in that causes you to doubt that you are in the right place?  What are some of your weaknesses that God is trying to use to shine through?  Are you open to letting Him get the glory instead of you?

Thursdays in the Truth: Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy

Today was a most glorious day!  I wouldn't be a bit surprised if a rainbow ended right on top of my house.  It was that good of a day.  

Everyone woke up happy and went off to school or work right on schedule. I work from home and was able to make a large number of phone calls without being interrupted by my son or the crazy dogs.  Nothing says professional like a screaming kid and barking dogs in the background of a phone call.   My son, all of three years and a handful of months, is active.  That’s mom-code for crazy!  And he tries to carry our new puppy around like it’s his personal toy.  I literally spend a good portion of my day saving that dog’s life.  It’s a full out circus around here.  After working, playing with the boy, and keeping the dog alive, I prepped dinner.  I actually made pizza dough from scratch with plenty of time to rise.  That never happens.  Dinner prep at our house is deciding where we are going for dinner.  So with work done and dinner prepped, I actually got to have some pretty decent quiet time. I was kind of expecting the crazy bomb to hit the house after everyone got home from school and work. But it didn't.  We had a super delicious, homemade pizza that everyone helped with.  Who knew my kitchen could provide such sustenance?!  We even finished the dishes in record time.  After all that, there was something that made this day infinitely better.  Muffins.  Y’all I made pumpkin chocolate chip muffins!  There is no better way to end a beautiful day, than with pumpkin chocolate chip muffins made from scratch!  Cue the angelic choirs! 

It didn't take too much to find the joy in today.  It was everywhere I turned.  This, however, is not every day.  Most days we are struggling to find the tiniest bit of joy. Kids screaming.  Deadlines passing.  Bills.  Angry drivers.  Crazy, inconvenient weather.  Bad attitudes.  It seems there is more non-joy shoved in our faces than joy. (Yes, I totally just made up that word.)  

What do you do when life is not happy and shiny, when it’s downright poopy? (I can use that word because I spend all day with a three year old.)  Let’s be real, we throw a pity party.  We bake that pity up in a little cake that we cover with sarcasm icing so it’s easier to swallow.  But do we find any joy in that?  And better yet, do we find any God in that?

I read something the other day that stopped me in my tracks.  It said we could never earn God’s love.  He wants to love us.  He chooses to love us.  Romans 5:8 says “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Bear with me while I share my thought train. (Sometimes my thought train is more like a runaway train)  It goes to reason that if I can’t earn God's love, then I must not be able to lose it.  I should lose it because I'm a sinner.  But it’s an unconditional gift.  And I love gifts.  It’s one of my love languages.  So this is love! And love is joyful.  Bazinga!

So that right there, my friends, is the simplest of joys that I need to remind myself of every. single. day.   When it feels like life is delivering up mud pies instead of apple pies, I need to remember that little gift that God wrapped up so perfectly for me, with my name on it.  His unconditional love. As the beautiful Psalm 136 repeats, “His love endures forever.” Amen!

Thursday's in the Truth ~ Facing Friendships

 

 

As I have grown older, I have found that my inner circle of friends has become significantly smaller. There is truth to realizing that if you do not have people in your life that can love you unconditionally through your transparency, they can never fully appreciate your transformation. A greater gift it is to hold only a few solid rocks, than being surrounded by an entire quarry of ones who just don’t make the cut.  

As women, one of the most difficult obstacles to face is the reality of our friendships. This is not to be confused with the act of fellowship. I am referring to those people in your life who truly know you, know what lies deep within your heart, and despite your flaws (we all have them), continue to walk this life alongside you. As I have prayed over the message God has spoken to me this week, I feel as though this is one we could all stand to hear. The Bible is clear on what friendships were designed to do, and it is imperative as Christ followers we make an intentional effort to seek those who in turn, make us better people. In 1 Corinthians 15:33 Paul preaches to the church in Ephesus, warning believers “Do not be fooled by those who say such things for bad company corrupts good character.” In this passage, he is specifically referring to our relationships with others who deny the resurrection of Christ. However, I also feel this applies to our very relationships with fellow Christians.

Do not misunderstand what I am saying. I strongly believe in a healthy balance of relationships with believers and non. What I am specifically implying today is in regards to those with fellow Christians. These relationships are held to a higher standard as we share with each other a mutual love for Christ. I ask you this, do you have someone in your life who is toxic? Do you find yourself constantly emerged within the latest circle of gossip, with no other purpose but to satisfy the flesh? One of the many signs of spiritual maturity is to know when to walk away from someone or something who has a negative impact on our soul. You are surely mistaken if you think you can associate with certain people, but not allow for their influence to slowly creep into your life.  Beware, the enemy is exceptionally skilled in this process!

Proverbs 27:17 says “As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.” Ladies, we all need people who will challenge us, convict us, and assist us to grow in Christ. We are biblically called to hold each other accountable, while speaking truth in love. This passage emphasizes the fact that there is a mental sharpness that transpires from surrounding yourself with certain types of people. We require friends that pour into us in an effort to replenish what we are hopefully pouring out into others. All too often I find myself counseling other women who are devastated to realize those they considered to be a friend are nowhere to be found once the dust has settled. One of things I always encourage others with is understanding that it is a blessing to feel heartache in these situations, as you will quickly sift out the sand from the rocks.

Make it a point today to reflect upon those you have allowed in your life. Reflect upon what kind of friend you are to others as well, and make changes in the areas He is leading you to. Pray about who it is that are considered to be your rocks, build your castle with them and allow for His waters to wash the sand away.  

~ Stef