Mary Didn't Know-

I know you all have heard the song, Mary Did you Know by Mark Lowry.

It is a powerful song and over the years I have heard it, I can emphasize with Mary. To think  that she actually gave birth to a little baby of flesh and blood that grew into a boy, then a man, and she watched him grow and knew from what the angel told her that he was special, that he was going to be something special, a savior for her people, a King, Hope, the Messiah....

Always, waiting, always watching, always hoping for the news to break, for the world to declare him King and for Him to take his throne.

You see the angel came to Mary and told her about Jesus, that he was the Messiah, and to not be afraid of this virgin birth, but it's not like she had an angel showing up every couple of years to give her courage, and and strength and hope. No, she didn't. She had to rely on her faith, and the last word that she got from God.... to be faithful, and believe...Back then, women were not even allowed to study the scriptures, so all she had was what she might hear in the synagogue and what her husband Joseph would share with her. And of course, her faith in God.

So I could only imagine, that Mary did not know that her son would die-
Put yourself in her shoes for a moment.

 I mean I am sure she heard the scripture foretelling, and maybe her husband Joseph would share with her but could you imagine being a mom and hearing that, I think I would push it to the far back of my mind and not think of it, or maybe even concentrate on the good-
He will be the deliverer, the hope, the Messiah....

...Years rocked on and he never sat on a worldly throne, He never officially ruled the nation, changed their immediate world or even their community. If anything, He experienced hurt, rejection, and ridicule, as did his family, Mary and Joseph and probably even his siblings.

Mary knew what the Angel told her, but she didn't know what He would have to endure, what she would have to endure as a mother, the pain, the loss, the hurt, it must have been torturous, but she stood strong, and believed in God and went on with life.

Mary did not have a life of ease, waiting for her son to become King, she lived a life of anticipation, a life of what ifs, a life of waiting and hoping.

We live that life too you know.... always waiting for our ship to come in, for something to give, for that big break- for help, for someone, something,  to save us, to help us,  to be with us and partner with us to conquer the world.

That something that you are looking so diligently for, and waiting so hopefully for, is a relationship with Jesus Christ, a relationship with the Father to carry you through, to help you, to lean on , to hope and cherish.

If you don't know Him today, ask Jesus into your heart.

STEPS to Salvation
1. Believe God's Plan ( Romans John 3:16, Romans 5:8)
2. Acknowledge Sin and Man's problem with it- Repent ( Romans 3:23, Rom 6:23)
3. Recognize God's Bridge, or remedy for us- His Son( Rom 5:8, John 14:6)
4. Receive Christ- and Trust Him ( Rom 10:9, Revelation 3:20, John 1:12)

The Christmas Star

Stars often represent fame, something good, someone special, a pat on the back, etc… 

There was a particular star that symbolized something greater, something awesome, and something real. A promise to all who went, who believed who saw it…. 

The Star of Stars 

The Star over Bethlehem provided direction for the Wise men to Seek Jesus Christ, a savior born for a broken world. That star was the star to follow. We follow so many things now days, but today during this holiday season and all through the year, 

Look for hope, and love in Jesus Christ…..

8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2

...are you searching for something but cannot quite put your finger on it? Look up.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

I remember recently seeing part of the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and when they prayed over their food it made my heart happy.  Not because simply the prayer but knowing- these are suppose to be kids and they are praying like little adults, all gathered round. Why can't it be that simple anymore?

Why can't things be simple and pure and real like the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and Christmas. Such a great little show. Growing up I must say it was not my favorite. I liked some of the other shows, Rudolph and anything magical and mysterious, but to me the Charlie Brown series was about some kids that did not appeal to me, but Oh how it does now. I questioned is it the memories that it brings back, the nostalgia or is it because of the pure, wholesome show that it is? I am not sure, but I just love it now. I can see clips online or on social media and it just warms my heart to a simpler time.


I want to challenge you to be Thankful. Gratitude will change your attitude !

Have a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, you know you might not have the best spread, or even the best table, didn't they throw everything out on a ping pong table(don't sweat the small stuff) and enjoy the day!! Ask God to give you a content, thankful, merry heart.

A Thankful heart is a merry heart.

I want to Challenge you this Thanksgiving if your heart is not merry and you live in an oppressed discontent way, go and bless someone else.  Whether it be with food, or time or even money- pay it forward this year, and see your heart difference.

If you have to work, celebrate it another day. Have a day of Thanksgiving and rest !

Often we go through this life, working, going along in our own world, busy, busy, busy, but there are these holidays during the year, where we may get to stop, take a deep breath and enjoy life. I cherish this and I so cherish Thanksgiving. I used to love it more when I was younger, it was my favorite holiday because all my family got together and it was just a day of Thanksgiving, rest and fellowship.

I still love it now for some of those same reasons... oh and food, I forgot to mention the amazing food!

We are blessed and live in a blessed Country !! Don't take anything for granted, Be Thankful, Be Blessed !!

Millennials: Is it really all about the Journey?

Recently, I had someone tell me that the millennial generation likes a church that gives them an experience, and how it's all about the journey or experience for them.  I have read articles about getting millennials into the church and engaging them etc... but it isn't just about the millennial generation, all people are looking for an experience or a journey to make their life complete.

The age we live in teaches us to want to depend on others to give us that experience, or journey that we are looking for.  We live in an entitled, narcissistic world and it really is all about "what can you do for me" "what are you going to do for me" and "pastor, this is what I need".

Some might even argue, as far as church goes, it's always been this way, each person in the congregation is a little inward, searching for what best suits them,  and that JOURNEY that they want to experience. It is a carnal,  human condition to try and take care of #1 - SELF,
and has been for ages.

But, is it really all about the Journey?  What about the Destination?

In Hosea 7:14, the Bible talks about Israel, but couldn't it be anyone who is not following him the way that he wants?
 God wants all of you, not just the part of you that you give him on Sunday morning while you look for that experience or journey to suit you and make your life complete. Israel could not just be happy following God, they were looking, searching, and trying to experience more. It was hard for them to be still and recognize God, and that their destiny was their destination, that all they had to do was look up.

"They do not cry out to me with sincere hearts, Instead, they sit on their couches and wail. They cut themselves begging foreign gods for bread and new wine, and they turn away from me" Hosea 7:14 NLT

What about the destination? The destination is that you don't have to keep searching for that perfect group, that perfect church.

The truth is that you have it, if you are a child of God, you have reached your destination........
You are the church, you are the missing piece of the puzzle to make right where you are awesome and great.   

Now I ask you what are YOU going to do to make the world a better place?
Stop searching for your destiny, stop looking for some magical journey to fill the void in you, that void, that desire is God speaking to you, to tell you to live in the moment.  Stop searching and start doing.
Work for him, where you are.  Embrace your destination, seek God and he will show you what you need to be doing, right where you are.

If you look for me whole heartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:13

The Need Within

I was in meditation the other day and praying and thinking about life when God revealed something to me, or reminded me or whatever we would like to call it. I was thinking of the turmoil that we get in with our mates, our friends, our family and how so very different we are. Like when we give our heart away how bad it hurts when turmoil sneaks in. When you love someone and share your life, your love and yourself with them they become a part of you and imagining life without them is hard.

I also began to think how it is very hard for two people to get along, to live in complete harmony, because we are so different. I think about when people get divorced or couples break up and the pain and turmoil that you see, the homes that are broken and the lives that are shattered. The Bible tells us to guard our hearts, and I think it is for that very reason. Our carnal self looks only for pleasure and to fulfill the lust of the flesh( a need for comfort), not just a physical affair or something like that, but that part of us that needs validating as well, that part of us that just cannot stay settled and content with what we have. The very depths of our soul is unsettled and always seeking to better things, to better ourselves to better others, to have more, do more and want more. We set goals and are insistent  on reaching them or else. We know what we need and if that need isn't met by something or someone then we look elsewhere, we search, we seek, we want.  It's the human condition. The weak part of us that feels need.......maybe the answer to life is knowing this about ourselves, yet choosing the right path regardless, choosing to be content in all circumstance.

Don't get me wrong, I do believe we should have goals and better ourselves but if those goals make you live a life of turmoil or stress and it seems you are always striving and dis-content maybe you need to stop and reflect for a while and seek something bigger.

God tells us in his word that he wants to meet our needs- all those needs I wrote above, but we know that it cannot be that simple. We need something more tangible, more real, so we continue to seek.

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. 12 I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want. 13 I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.  Phil 4:11-13

In the end, once you have read HIS word and you know his word, all the scriptures point back to one thing. God wants us to live with people not isolated, not alone,  he wants us to have that human connection, to tolerate others, to love others, to love the unlovable. We are so very different, really it's the depths of OUR own hearts that matter to HIM. The challenge and victory of life is being able to live in that content frame of mind realizing that it's not all about "ME".

Privilege - An Open Letter to my Daughters

Danny recently began a sermon series on privilege.  I really began to think about how blessed we truly are in America and also how spoiled we are.
We take the privileges we have for granted. If I tell my girls, no we are not going out to eat again, or no I am not buying this or that right now, I get " are we poor" I have to explain, no I am trying to budget. I have had the talk with them as well, no we are not poor, but we are not rich, we are somewhere in between. It is really all about perspective.  Some of my own family back home would think that we are rich, but some of your friends at school who travel abroad for breaks etc, may think we are poor.

Regardless of finances, I just want to write this open letter to my girls about privilege.

Recently - I applied for a job and was concerned if I would even get it because I did not meet the Diverse criteria that they were looking for. I had been working for the company for 3 years and had experience with the computer system, and knew the ropes and I finished up my advanced degree and just wanted a promotion, but if someone out there who was more diverse than me with less experience applied they could potentially oust me out of the running for the job. This concerned me and then I realized this is only going to get worse, my poor children. .....

 Girls,
    I am sorry I raised you so that you don't have to worry about food, shelter, or basic needs, because if any of those were threatened you might appreciate more of the basic things in life.

I am sorry you are caucasian and from a middle income family because you will be set aside for jobs because you are not more ethnic and diverse.

You are women and you are beautiful and this my friend will cause people to judge your ability, your sincerity and even your intellect. But you come from a long line of smart, strong beautiful women, you can handle it.

I cannot apologize because you were raised with Christian values and go to a Christian church. But you will be ridiculed and picked on for any of this and later accused of being closed minded if you ever tell anyone, but be aware. Even if you are open minded, the very words Christian causes others to judge you.  You could even be shunned, picked over for jobs and talked about even amongst your peers for this one. Stand strong in your faith, be proud, because at the end of the day, God will be the one holding your hand and giving you peace and rest to sleep and begin again.

Bottom line is that you are privileged, no you do not feel privileged because you cannot have everything you want, we don't get to do long vacations and cruises every year, and travel abroad each summer. You want to do extracurricular activities that I cannot always afford, and you have to do chores around the house, and help out at church on Sundays because your dad is the pastor and always be prepared at any second to accept someone in your home, your private space,  because that is what pastors' families do. No, you may not feel privileged,  but you are.

Though you may suffer some because you are a Christian and because we are not rich according to  our immediate World's standards but we are rich according to most of the world's standards as a whole, I cannot begin to explain it, but as you live and travel you will see just how fortunate you are.

We are privileged, you are privileged and you have the amazing opportunity to know Jesus Christ, to be around his people and to know the comfort of having two parents that love you dearly.
As you start to experience the world and see that you are truly the minority don't shrink back and feel less, don't hide your light because you are not diverse enough or liberal enough.... be the person we are raising you to be .. beautiful, loving, real, strong, and Christ like... because in the end the things that matter will still be the things that are important, all the rest is just part of life in a privileged, self-seeking, society. So be strong, stand strong and be proud of who you are.

Why do we Judge?

In my wisdom of life, I have learned that we all judge others. It's not just that "religious co-worker" that is lurking around the water cooler with a smirk on their face that judges. It's the liberal co-worker who right to your face judges you and everyone else who does not live or act or say what in their opinion is "the right way to live".

You see we are humans and humans judge others.  We form these opinions and from our opinions and knowledge in this world we choose to look at others through those same glasses. You know the ones we are wearing and the thoughts that we have and the convictions that we personally experience. We often tend to think others should think and see like we do, but it isn't so.  When we realize this fact, we often jump into the miry pit of judging others.

Sometimes it's just a simple mis-understanding and we see something and jump to conclusions, other times we get ideas in our head and twist them without even realizing it, but we do it.

We are all so very different each and every one but because we are also so very relational and created by our Creator to be relational then we want everyone to see it our way, we want to be like others, we want others to be like us, because it makes us feel connected and not so lonely.

I want to challenge you the next time you feel or catch yourself judging another to pause, and think about their motives, think about the person and accept them for who they are.... Accept them for being different, accept them for thinking different, accept them.  My friend,  that is love in it's finest form, to accept others for who they are and not for who you want or think they should be. If they are not living like they should or doing like you think they should, pray for them, smile and love them.

We can change this world together through love.