Priesthood of All Believers (October 2023)

**A talk I gave in October 2023. Please note an outline is provided for these particular talks with rights to the speaker to add in personal testimony and make the words flow in a way that is natural to them. Key points must remain so I do not take credit for the entirety of this talk. 

Voice Recording of Talk (just click below and give it about 8 seconds to start)

    

    As I was preparing for today, I really wanted to share about all the times I heard the statement, "I don't know how you do it." My response was and is always, "The grace of God." These conversations were always in reference to my children's health battles. But as I really reflected and sought God's guidance, I realized it's not a testimony or me sharing my story of how I made it through those times. I began to realize it's all the little things~and times~ when I've listened to God and extended His grace towards others. 

    I'm sure many of us have experienced at least one of the following~ or something similar: 

1. The person who cut you off in traffic.
2. The restaurant getting your order wrong, being slower than you want, being out of food. 
3. The person who snaps at you for anything at all.
4. The child or spouse who forgets or is late or damages something unintentionally. Or many similar situations. 

    And instead of reacting in a negative way, you pause a moment, take a deep breath, and extend God's grace...

1. You realize the person in traffic may be rushing to a loved one who is injured...or maybe it's a student driver learning how to navigate the road...or any other scenario you can think of. 
2. You smile at the restaurant worker, say "thank you, I see it's been busy" or "I see you are short staffed" and then offer a word of prayer for the rest of the day. You may even leave a nicer than usual tip. 
3. You smile at the person who snapped at you and ask, "Are you doing okay? Would you like to just sit and talk a moment?"
4. You love on your child or spouse, forgiving them immediately...maybe even laughing at what happened. 

    You see all these little opportunities of "inconvenience" and possible frustration. The times when you are tempted...notice I say tempted...to say some unkind things or react in unkind ways...these can all be used by the enemy to keep trying to darken the world. Or these can be ways that you...we...can step up and shine the light of God. Allowing others to see Him--These are all just some small ways we can begin living out the priesthood we are called to. 

    My name is Brandi Cade, and the title of this talk is Priesthood of All Believers. 

    Much of the world today has turned away from God. Evidence of this abounds. There are so many examples of this from dishonesty to violence to various forms of abuse. For example, this month (October) many wear purple to bring awareness to domestic violence. It's a month to acknowledge survivors and be a voice for victims. Another example is from my called path in life as a school teacher, we can no longer just teach academic subjects such as reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. Instead we teach children to be aware of their bodies and the importance of reporting unsafe or inappropriate touch. We teach them how to take cover in the event of an intruder. As a teacher we watch about 7 hours worth of videos at the start of each year and many are on things such as Erin's Law which helps to train us in signs of sexual abuse, we watch videos about bullying behaviors, we are trained on suicide awareness and prevention. A common saying from my mouth is "eyes up" and "be aware of your surroundings." These are just a few examples of how the world has turned from God. We wouldn't have such an increase in all these awareness and trainings if they didn't exist---if they weren't becoming more and more common. 

    While the situation today can be discouraging, the proper attitude of the Christian is not to complain but to seek solutions to problems and apply them. 

    True happiness in humanity will be found only in God and the grace of Jesus Christ. 

    Keep in mind this is not an oversimplification. 

    You see, through salvation offered in Jesus Christ, God has bridged the gap of sin and death that separates people from God, and people from other people (see 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; again, that's 2 Corinthians 5:18-20). 

And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And He gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!"

~2 Corinthians 5:18-20

    Moreover, God calls forth persons in each generation---people like you and me---to stand in the gap with Christ and bridge the separation between people and God where the grace of Christ needs to be made real. 

Priesthood of All Believers

    So what is the priesthood of all believers? The priesthood of all believers is a biblical concept that is important for understanding the church and the role of laity in the church. All believers, laity and clergy alike, are called and given authority to be priests to one another. 

    All believers are baptized in Christ and are one in Christ (see Romans 6:3-4 and Galatians 3:27-29)

    All are members in the body of Christ, every member is important, and no individual is more important than another. (see 1 Corinthians 12:12-27)

    This means the popular notion that clergy "do ministry" and laity consume it is wrong and unbiblical. 

What is a priest?

1. One: A priest functions as God's representative in the world, communicating God's word and shedding light on God's will in people's lives. A priest pronounces God's word of forgiveness and healing grace. 
2. Two: A priest also acts as the people's representative to God. A priest intercedes for the people, going to God for the sake of the people, and offering sacrifices of love on their behalf. 
3. Three: A priest is not only the ordained clergy, but anyone who has experienced the love, acceptance, and forgiveness of God, and who helps others experience that grace as well. 

Jesus is the great high priest, the supreme mediator between God and people (See Hebrews 6:20 and 7:23-28). In Christ, the separation between God and humanity is overcome. 

Jesus is God's representative to us. He is the Word made flesh, mediating God's grace and truth to us. 

Jesus is our representative to God. He shared our humanity and lovingly sacrificed his life for our salvation. John 1:29 shares with us: "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

All believers share in this priesthood---in partnership with Christ. The members of the Christian community are a royal priesthood. 

1 Peter 2:4-5 says: 

    You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God's temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What's more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 

And then in 1 Peter 2:9-10

    But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light. 

Once you had no identity as a people; 

now you are God's people.

Once you received no mercy, 

now you have received God's mercy. 

    As part of the priesthood of all believers, each of us is called to represent Christ and share His grace with others. Believers are called to bridge the separation between people and God, to stand in the gap with Christ. 

    As part of the priesthood of all believers, we participate in Christ's ministry when we perform loving, sacrificial acts and share the good news of God's grace and forgiveness. 

    Do not misunderstand: the phrase "priesthood of all believers" does not mean every person acts as his or her own priest. Rather, believers are given the authority of love to be priests to one another. Christ laid down his life for others to make the grace of God real; we too are called to do this. 

    The church is the body of Christ--people who have experienced the love, acceptance, and forgiveness of God and have committed their lives to Christ and to His ministry of sharing God's grace with others. 

The Priesthood of All Believers Has A Mission

    Before I share the mission, I want to share with you a time that really stands out to me as a time when I participated in the priesthood of all believers. 

   

    One thing I had just barely gotten started with on a more participatory level right before COVID hit, was Salkehatchie. Salkehatchie Summer Service is a way for teens, young college students, and other members of the church and community to come together and work as the hands and feet of Christ. Typically you spend a week in a location somewhere in SC with others and you work on a home (or homes if your camp is large enough) to make it safer and more livable for the residents of that home. You may build ramps, porches, put up walls, replace flooring, paint, and so much more. 

    

    Well, on my first real working opportunity, I remember thinking, "God, help me to see. Help me to get past the thoughts the enemy keeps planting...thoughts of: 

    

    Why are we doing this? Will these people even care? Will all this work really change their circumstances? Will they go right back to the same old thing and have a home that is falling apart a year later? Sure, we got them running water now, how are they going to pay the bill? 

    

    And on and on...I had no idea where these thoughts were coming from...well, I did...the enemy...but they came at me so fast and without warning. I had supported Salkehatchie for years and dreamed of one day working it. So why all these thoughts? I was finally doing what I dreamed of doing. 

    

    Fast forward a little, God....came....through...as He always does...and the questions left. It didn't matter what was going to happen or how the people got to this point. What mattered was God can work all things for good..AND my role...was to be obedient to God...and while I didn't call it being a priest or being part of the priesthood of all believers...that's essentially what it was...what it is. 

    

    During the Salkehatchie weeks, I got to be part of extending God's grace and showing His love:

• to families...both through the work and talking with them about God,
• to the community...because we had such a huge community, involvement...so we fellowshipped, shared stories...we were being God's light to more than just the families in the homes we worked at, 
• to the hosting church...to many, many youth
• Teaching them to be servant oriented, teaching them life skills, teaching them about God and how to grow in relationship with Him, sharing devotionals, laughter, tears.

    

    I realize this is more of a big example, but this is something we can do in our workplace, our community, and yes, even our churches. Yes...even our own church needs us. We can be the priests God called us to be by spending time, listening, talking, and sharing who God is and what He's done. 

   

    So what is the mission of the priesthood of all believers? 

    The mission is:

1. To make Christ real for people; to incarnate Christ in all circumstances of life: personal, family, work, leisure, etc. The church is not a building or an institution, but a ministry of love. The church is the community of believers in ministry, the royal priesthood who are the body of Christ in the world. We do not just belong to the church; we are the church, wherever we go. 
2. To be channels of God's grace; to share love, acceptance, and forgiveness with other people. God has put in our hands the keys of the kingdom---the power to bind or unbind people (see Matthew 16:19) by how we share or withhold the grace God has given us.       To a person in pain, the words "God loves you," "You are forgiven," or a simple prayer can be a word from God. To someone drowning in difficulty, the touch of a hand on the shoulder, the company of a friend, or an offer of help can represent the presence of God. 
3. And three, the mission is: to "proclaim the mighty acts of God" (see 1 Peter 2:9) with all of our lives. This may mean reflecting light in the midst of darkness and promise in the midst of problems or overcoming deadly attitudes of narcissism, cynicism, fatalism, and hopelessness, which are widespread in our world today.

The Characteristics of the Mission

    First, the mission is personal. Start with yourself. Jesus struggled in the wilderness with his own temptations before setting out on his mission. Be authentic. Avoid religious language and stereotypes. Witness for Christ in a way that is natural to you. 

    

    Second, it is spiritual. The spiritual is not life after death, but the wholeness of life in this world according to God's will. Jesus worked for God's deepest desire for people in this world: life in the fullness of God's grace and truth. This is our mission from God. The priest helps interpret God's will for people's lives. 

    

    Third, it is service oriented. We do not act on our own authority, but as representatives of our Master. Our mission is to serve as Jesus served (see John 13:12-15). 

   

     Fourth, it is shared. The mission requires teamwork. This includes laity and clergy working as partners. None of us can accomplish Christ's ministry alone. Jesus' first action was to call together twelve others to share His life and mission. 

    

    Last, it call for our best. This is not something we leave to the last; it calls for our best in attitude, ability, and action. Jesus Christ gave his best for us (see John 3:16). In turn, we are called to give our best for Christ. 

    

    One last personal note~ when you feel the Holy Spirit nudge you to do something~ or say something~ DO IT!!!

    I ask God often to open my eyes to the opportunities and to give me the words. I don't always listen, but I'm getting better...so you can now find me: hugging, holding hands, and praying with the homeless person who stepped into the church. You can find me doing the same in the aisles of the store when someone bumps into me or asks for financial help. You can find me laying hands on the sick and praying. You can find me sending voice messages of prayer to people God places on my heart. I'm not waiting for the pastor to do these things. I'm doing them myself because that's what God has called us to do. You can do these things too. 

    As this talk comes to a close, remember; God calls Christians today not to be passive participants in the problem but to be active partners in the mission---to be the church. There's a Casting Crowns song called, "If We Are the Body". In the lyrics it says; 

  

  "If we are the body, why aren't His arms reaching?

Why aren's His hand healing? Why aren't His words teaching?

And if we are the body, Why aren't His feet going?

Why is His love not showing them there is a way?

There is a way."

   

     In another song by them~ the one playing right before this talk~ called "Start Right Here" we are called to reflect on our actions as well, but this one goes on to share a solution....to share "the way". A solution each and every one of us can use, the song asks, 

"What if the church on Sunday, 

is still the church on Monday too?"

and it goes on to say...

"It's gotta start right here, 

It's gotta start right now."

Y'all, it starts with you and me. It starts right here, right now.

    Ladies, we have the opportunity to make our lives modern-day translations of the Gospels. Each of us has a personal and nontransferable mission: to make Christ real in our lives and share His grace so that others may know God's salvation. So let's be the body, let's reach, let's heal, let's teach, let's go, let's love, and show the way. Let's be the church where we are and help resolve the crisis of spiritual leadership in our world. 

START HERE. START NOW.

De Colores. 

Praise Through It All

This week someone at work mentioned that another co-worker said I have a large amount of patience. Apparently at the time of that conversation I texted to share a positive about a situation. Timely as she then shared that, "Yes, and she can find the positive through it all."

Or something along those lines. I didn't plan to share about the conversation, but that's the gist of what was said. 

I think about that conversation as I share 3 more songs today and tie them together. These are songs that will be sung at church tomorrow as we worship together. I think of that conversation, because the words in some of the songs have to do with praising Him even in the lowest valley. 

You see I've always been one to see the positive, to find the good. Although I don't always do that for myself. Something I'm definitely working on though. But I do, I look for the positive even when the negative is abounding. This approach most certainly helped me in my early years with Bradley and his diet became more and more restricted. If I looked at all he couldn't have, live would have been hard. Instead the focus was on what he could have. And even when all that was taken away, it became a praise that we had access to a specialized formula and a feeding tube to nourish his body. I got my baby boy back. Why wouldn't I praise that? 

1 Thesssalonians 5:18 reminds us to give thanks in ALL circumstances. But do we do this? Is it your first thought to praise Him when you are in the lowest valley just like you praise Him when you are on top of the mountain? 

I've learned that it is so much more peaceful and reassuring when I turn to God no matter the circumstances, no matter how heave my heart might be. You see when He is put first all other things melt away. He never fails me, He never shows up late, and He will always work things out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. He works all things out (see Romans 8:28) I have clung to this verse since I was 15 years old and it has never failed me. 

Song number 1 that helps us remember this: "Yes I Will" by Vertical Worship

Sometimes even though we may give thanks to Him through it all, we struggle from time to time and feel like we keep messing up. We feel like there are times we are constantly calling on Him, we are constantly feeling like we've failed Him in some way. 

BUT GOD....

He gives us grace that surpasses anything we can imagine. We can call on Him anytime from anywhere. He's with us through it all. It's okay to call out to Him that we need Him. It's okay to admit we've screwed up. His word promises us that He will never leave nor forsake us. His grace is sufficient and as this next song says His forgiveness is like sweet, sweet honey. It's the sound of a symphony. It's like Holy Water on our skin. 

YES! His grace is all this and more. And as much as we call that we don't want to abuse His grace, I don't think He sees it that way. I think He sees His child coming to Him. Think about it, as a parent, don't we love when our children come to us instead of turning to the world? So why wouldn't our Father in Heaven feel the same way? 

And if I'm being honest, when we are seeking Him first, staying in His word, communing with Him, then it becomes easier and easier for us...or at least for me...to fall into His grace and start changing in ways that cause us (me) to not keep repeating the same things over and over. And if we (I) slip up, He doesn't turn us away. He doesn't kick us out of His family. I am ADOPTED! I am CHOSEN! I am HIS CHILD. So are you.

Song number 2 is "Holy Water" by We the Kingdom. It reminds us that despite the road we are walking, we can turn to Him...it's okay to admit we need Him everyday. As a matter of fact, He prefers that we rely on Him and not on our own strength or abilities. 

And as we fall into that grace and constantly sing praise to Him even in the lowest of valleys, we are reminded that His Name....is beautiful, wonderful, and powerful. He was the Word..yes...Jesus was there from the very beginning. Yes, Jesus came to earth to save us. He took on all our shame, our sin, our wounds. He took it all on Himself and because of this we are FREE. We are free from sin, we are healed, we are His. Because of this I will sing of how beautiful, wonderful, and powerful His name is. How about you? 

Final song for this post: "What a Beautiful Name" by Hillsong Worship.

We Are Not Given a spirit of fear

I posted all the below on Facebook September 20, 2024 after a few nights of dreams and beautiful reminders from God. My posts are as much for myself as they are for others who may need these reminders or things to think about as well. I've missed writing and have fought for years to get back to it. I'm back!  Please hold me accountable. 

I'm sure I'm not the only one who could use these reminders. 

This morning is includes multiple songs telling a bigger story. 

2 Timothy 1:7 says...
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and sound mind. 

Sometimes...or maybe often, I don't know...when we move in a direction God has called us, there is some uprooting that takes place. Some things have to fall away and some things that we need to be reminded of get brought back to the surface. This brings me to song number 1: "Look What You've Done" by Tasha Layton. 

🎵🎶🎵🎶 The lies I believed
They got some roots that run deep
I let 'em take a hold of my life
I let 'em take control of my life

Standing in Your presence, Lord

I can feel You diggin' all my roots up

I feel Ya healin' all my wounds up

All I can say is hallelujah🎵🎶🎵🎶

And as you go through this process of uprooting, sometimes those lies try to creep back in, looking for holes in your armor. Looking for ways to bring you back down, to cause you to stumble, to cause doubts, fears, and timidity...BUT that's NOT God! God didn't give us those spirits, instead He gave us a spirit of POWER, LOVE, and SOUND MIND! PRAISE GOD! 🙌

So because of what God has given us, the reminder song to go with the verse is "Power, Love, Sound Mind" by Matthew West. 

🎶🎵🎶 I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, sound mind. Love, sound mind.

I don't have to give in to a spirit of fear....
I AM power, love, sound mind, love, sound mind...🎵🎶🎶🎶

And as you remember who you are and WHOSE you are. As God reminds you that you are not alone. That when you feel like your roots are being dug up...it's not just lies that try to creep in during that uprooting. There is also the TRUTH. There is the strong root system that is revealed that is your foundation in Christ. And through that, you remember to walk in the fact that God is your joy, your song, your rock, your place of refuge, your protector, your defender. He's your portion, your salvation. His love defends you. He never leaves nor forsakes you. His promises are true. He is true to His Word. His promises are yes and amen!

PRAISE GOD! 🙌 🙌 🙌

The third song as I close out is "Your Love Defends Me" by Hannah Kerr. 

Here's a playlist with all the songs and a few more: Playlist for Sept. 20, 2024

Sharing my Story Compilation

Below you will find a link to 30 days of sharing my story. Please pray with me that we all continue to learn our story and become confident in sharing our story with others. For the month of October, I will most likely move into sharing scripture and just writing my personal thoughts about it. I would love to hear what verses help you get through each of your days.

Day 1: Why?

Day 2: Beginnings

Day 3: Seeds

Day 4: More Seeds

Day 5: Growing

Day 6: Growing

Day 7: Growth and Trials

Day 8: Growth and More Trials

Day 9: Hold On, Let Go, Trials and More Trials

Day 10: What's in Store?

Day 11: Obstacles

Day 12: Accepting Christ

Day 13: Music

Day 14: Reaching Out

Day 15: Work in Progress

Day 16: Getting You Ready

Day 17: Learning to Follow

Day 18: Fears

Day 19: Strength

Day 20: We Are Clay

Day 21: Awestruck

Day 22: Plans

Day 23: Keep Making Me

Day 24: War

Day 25: War

Day 26: Knocked Down

Day 27: Growing in Faith

Day 28: Time

Day 29: Victory

Day 30: Leaving My Comfort Zone

Sharing my Story Day 30: Leaving My Comfort Zone

Wow! What started as a challenge for myself started our quite easily, then became hard, then became easy again. And now, here I am at the end of the challenge. A whole month of posts Sharing My Story. Telling others about God's work in my life or about how they can have God in their life too.

Tonight I went to my daily devotionals for inspiration and ironically it was all about the Challenge.

Isaiah 50:7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like fling, and I know I will not be put to shame.

Psalm 37: 5-6 Commit your way to the Lord...trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass. And He will make your uprightness and right standing with God go forth as the light, and your justice and right as [the shining sun ] the noonday.

The devotional says, "Leave your comfort zone and move out into new territory on behalf of God's kingdom. You grow in Christ when you do something for God beyond what you've already mastered. You sense God's presence with you in personal and intimate ways.

When you attempt something difficult for God, you discover God's resources. For instance, if you make a witness speech in church even though that makes you uncomfortable, you discover abilities previously unknown to you. It is not necessary to wait until you think you are ready to do something for God. Do it, and God will make you ready. Nobody would have heard of Saint George if he had slain a dragonfly instead of a dragon.

Dear God, disturb me when I am too pleased with what I do for you. Amen"

What a devotion for today after a few months and especially this past month of stepping so completely out of my comfort zone all for God. Did I think I was ready....yeah right. But I kept putting one foot in front of the other and kept focused on God's work and He gave me everything I needed. When I was tired and had absolutely no idea what to write, he guided my fingers across the keys and let the thoughts flow. When I focused on listening to God throughout the day so I would know what to write that night, He would send me just the right song, story, or person to spark the idea. But I would not have been able to do God's work this past month without leaning on him and holding on to my faith.

So what is it that you keep putting off? What is stopping you from taking that first step? It's time to trust God and take that leap of faith. He will give you what you need, so go ahead. Step out of your comfort zone and do His work.

Although the month is over and I probably won't post everyday, I will continue to share my story and I want you to do the same. As with so many things in life, when God's in it, then it's not over. Telling my story isn't over. It's only the beginning.

Before I go, I ask that you think about your relationship with God. What story will you share with others? Have you accepted God for yourself? If you haven't, maybe that is the step you need to take. It doesn't matter how much baggage you come with or how unworthy or unready you feel. God sent His Son to die for you and to set you free from it all. It's okay if you haven't been to church or have never picked up a Bible. It doesn't say in the Bible that you must have it memorized in order to find salvation. God will take care of the details, you just need to take the step. He's calling you now. He wants to set you free.

Let us pray,

Lord I thank you for laying it on my heart to take on this challenge of telling my story and helping others to tell theirs. It has been so rewarding and although I wasn't sure I was ready for it, I took that step. I had faith that you would lead me every step of the way. I thank you for being there just like you promised. Ultimately I thank you for your Son who died for a sinner like me. Lord, tonight I pray that we all find our voice to share our stories with others. I pray that those who do not know you find their way to you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Sharing my Story Day 29: Victory

Music is a large part of my life. I cannot play an instrument....although one day I would love to learn to play piano and guitar.  I sing because I can't just sit and listen to music. But I LOVE music. It gets me through the each and every day. It gets me through each and every season.

While I love listening to a wide variety of music, my new fave is Contemporary Christian. However, I still love my traditional hymns. Songs like Amazing Grace, I'll Fly Away, I Shall Not Be Moved, Lord of the Dance, No Tears in Heaven, When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, This Little Light of Mine, Jesus Loves Me, and on and on and on. I can't really say I have a favorite as I can start singing one then find myself in the middle of another one without knowing how I even got there.

The hymn I am going to focus on though is Victory in Jesus. You see I have found that victory. Jesus won the victory for me. He won it for you too. He is my Savior FOREVER! He paid such a high price all so I could be with Him again one day in Heaven. He has always loved me and he has cleansed me so that I am white as snow.

For this, and this alone, I hold to my faith. Because he paid such a price. It is really quite overwhelming to know that someone loves me and you that much. So much that he seeks you out and bought you with his own blood.

So, tonight, I do not really share a story. I simply leave you to think about the songs that affect your life. What songs speak to you? Which ones do you see yourself in? Which ones can take you back to a particular season and make it feel as if you are right back there in that moment? What songs must you sing to the top of your lungs because of how it makes you feel deep inside?

Let us pray:
Lord, I thank you for music. I thank you for your Son. I thank you for your grace. I thank you for blessings. In Your Son's name I pray. Amen

Sharing my Story Day 28: Time

For everything there is a season, a time. Some seasons may be harder to deal with than others, but we have to go through those rough seasons to get to the better ones. God has appointed all these times and seasons. He is in control!

Ecclesiastes 3
1 There is a time for everything,
       and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2            a time to be born and a time to die,
              a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3            a time to kill and a time to heal,
              a time to tear down and a time to build,
4           a time to weep and a time to laugh,
             a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5           a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
             a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6           a time to search and a time to give up,
             a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7           a time to tear and a time to mend,
             a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8           a time to love and a time to hate,
             a time for war and a time for peace.

Look around you at the world God created. You can see His mighty hand in everything. And everything you see has its own season. Think about it, you don't go to bring in the harvest in spring, because that is not its time. In spring it is time to plant, harvesting will come later.

In the book of Ecclesiastes we learn over and over again, that to seek worldly pleasures and gains, will not bring us ultimate happiness. In fact the only way to find personal meaning and happiness is through God. Temporary pleasures are just that....temporary.

But here's what I am learning to realize, where we are in our relationship with God, in our faith impacts these seasons in our lives greatly. You see, when I simply believed and didn't exactly follow or when I chose to try to hold on to as much control as possible, then those negative times were that much harder.

You see when my faith was just there, but I didn't practice it, when I didn't rely on it, when I didn't use it, then I had a harder time with mourning, with war, with tears, giving up, and hate. But you see, now as my faith is stronger and I rely on it and put it straight to use, my seasons of what use to be the harder times, really aren't that hard. They aren't as hard because God is right here with me.

When I was younger I used to blubber at funerals (even ones where I hardly knew the person). Tears would roll freely down my face and I would go through several tissues and look like a puffy eyed mess after. Now, even at the funerals where I thought I would cry the most and hardest, I didn't. For a moment, I would think I must have grown cold and callous, how could I not cry my eyes out. But then I realized, it has to do with where I am in my walk with God. So while it hurts me and is sad to lose a loved one, I really don't dwell on the mourning side for too long. Instead I am so joyful that my loved one is now free from this earthly world and that they are now celebrating with Jesus.

So why don't you join me in this peace? You can have it too and it makes each season so much easier to live through than if you are trying to go it alone. God wants you to call on him, He wants you to admit your sins, afterall, He didn't send his Son to save just a select few. He sent his Son to die on a cross for all our sins so that we may all come to know God and one day enjoy eternal life with Him.

Let us pray,
Lord, I thank you for each season in my life. The tough ones help to make me stronger and help to make sure I keep close to you in my times of need. The joyful times help me to realize and rejoice over the many blessings you have given. Lord, I know I am far from perfect, but I try every day to become better at following you and being the person you know I can be. In Christ's name I pray. Amen

Sharing my Story Day 27: Growing in Faith

As I listened tonight to my sweet Tori scream her head off for 10 straight minutes while she was in the bath tub. Her skin has started flaring up again and today was not good. It has been a long time since showers and baths have been painful for her, but tonight broke that streak. As her mom it is so hard to make her sit in a bath that you know is beyond painful, yet you know it is a must on the road to healing.

A few hours later I had to listen to Bradley with his own tears....his skin looks horrible again so I made him do a wet wrap and will make him do this for the next several nights. We also started back on the regimen of bleach baths at least once a week that help to keep infection lower.

These times are so draining....physically, mentally, and emotionally. However I cling to my faith.

I also can't help but thing of our Father and our Savior. When our Father sent his son to earth, He had a purpose....a reason. The reason came when Jesus took the nails for each and every one of us, when he was crucified. Even Jesus cried out to His Father, but His Father had to allow him to suffer, to endure a pain unimaginable all so that we could be saved. He had to go through the pain to get to the glory waiting on the other side.

Jesus died and took on our sins so that he may save us and so that we may have eternal life.

It is because of the pain he endured for me, that I am saved. It is also why I hold on to my faith because after the storm, there is going to be a glorious day. Whatever life is throwing your way, the storm will pass. But while you are in the middle of the storm, you can still find comfort. You don't have to go through it alone. God is right there beside you, he wants you to call on him and draw on him. He and only he can give you the comfort and peace you seek.

I know all this, not because it is in the Bible, but also because as I grow stronger in my faith with each new storm, the storm is that much more bearable. I don't carry the burdens alone or by just relying on earthly shoulders; as a matter of fact I don't even carry the burden because God is right there for me. He stills my raging soul when I have to apply painful medicines to my childrens' skin and when I have to wrap them tightly. He gives me the peace to sleep each night so that I may be ready to get through tomorrow. And he gives me the sunny days just at the right moments. And it is all through my faith in Christ Jesus and in God the Father that grows stronger every day that helps me get through.

You can know this peace and comfort too once you find your way back to the Father if you have wandered away. You can also know this peace and comfort once you accept Jesus as your risen Savior, admit that you know he died for your sins because you are a sinner and you want to be forgiven. So open up your heart and let Him in, he's there knocking, open the door.

Let us pray
Lord, I will never quite understand why my kids must endure what they do, but I know that you want me to keep my faith and I will. I will continue to grow stronger in my faith and grow closer to you. Please help me with each step I take. Thank you for never leaving my side. Amen.

Sharing my Story Day 26: Knocked Down

There are always going to be ups and downs throughout our life and in our present moments. Today is no exception, but God's got this.

My story will not be long this time, but it will be focused on keeping the faith even when it seems like everything is going wrong. This year has seen its fair share of downs and it seems that it isn't over quite yet.

Mark, my husband, works for a subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield. The section he works for is under a government contract. In the 20 plus years since its development, his company has been the only one to successfully win the government contract every time it is up for renewal. Last year, when it was bid on, they didn't receive any news. They have been waiting for the better part of a year to find out whether they won. For the first time in over 20 years, his company lost the contract. The winning company outbid them by proposing they could get the job done for about $30 million less. The irony of it all....Mark just had his annual review and received his highest percentage raise since starting work for this company over 12 years ago.

The good news is we have a little time before this all takes affect. Mark also has been with the company for a number of years and his reviews have always been good. He and others he works with will have priority to jobs within the larger parent company. My prayers are that this will be a smooth transition to someplace else within the company. We've been battling insurance for so long and I just don't want to start over. Not to mention that his insurance costs hundreds less than what would be taken out of my pay for the family. I know God may have other plans, but I pray that those plans are simply to move within the company for now.

While it feels like the waves keep crashing all around me though, I will hold strong to my faith. I will seek God and trust in him through it all. Things are going to get easier, but we must first deal with these hard times. You see, God's love "never fails and never gives up and never runs out on me." And "deep inside I know enough to cry out....God I'm tired of fighting this fight.....but I'm not running away...Tonight, I'm gonna fix my eyes on the only hope who satisfies my heart, You are the One I'm running to."

God's got this! God's got this! God's got this! And for that I am so thankful. I believe that he has started something great in my life and I know he is going to see it through!

Let us pray:
God, I do not know the plans you have for me, but I trust that you have your reasons. There is a purpose. I am running to you and I will hold on to you all the tighter as we go through this time in our lives. Lord, I also pray that those who don't know you will open up their hearts and start to listen for your voice, especially as they go through challenges in this life that seem overwhelming. I pray that others find you and feel the great peace you give to all your children. Amen.

Sharing my Story Day 25: Now

The last few posts have been more focused on the now, not reflections of the past, but sharing my story as it is right now. Because you see, I believe that our lifesong is made up of several stories along the way and we have to learn which story to share at what time. We started this journey 25 days ago, can you believe it's already been that long? When we started, the focus was on reflecting back....finding those times in your life where you see God's work, but if we are to keep moving forward, then we must also be attuned to the present.

What is happening for you right now? Can you see God working in your life? Are you allowing him to take over and lead as you follow? Do you hear him calling your name, but don't know what to do or are too afraid to answer?

God's not done with you yet.

Throughout the course of the month so far, I've shared various times in my life and how God has impacted those times whether I was aware of it at the moment or only just realized it this month. I've also shared that I have always believed, but didn't necessarily always attend church or follow God's plan for me.

In 1998 or 1999, I began attending Faith United Methodist Church in Greer, SC. It was a small church and I gained many grandparents there. I started attending because I was planning to get married there...and I did. I started singing in the choir again, had my own Vacation Bible School class and then ended up planning the whole thing once or twice. I was even on a committee (don't recall which one though). While life was busy with a full time job, full time college, and being married, I still remained active in the church. Actually attending church and being in choir made my weeks less crazy and I was energized. Well that all changed in 2002. That was when my ex decided he was leaving me and I ended up moving to Columbia.

One thing I didn't do was seek out another church to join. As a matter of fact, I didn't really step foot back in church again until 6 years ago in September or October of 2008 when Tori was a baby. I started going to Platt Springs UMC because my mentor teacher and friend attends there. She and the Friends in Christ class welcomed me with open arms. I loved the Sunday School class....we focused on so many different things, studied songs....I distinctly remember a study starting centered on Casting Crowns songs. But I guarded myself.

I wanted desperately to be more involved because that was about the time that Bradley's health problems magnified and Tori was showing signs of similar problems. Life was overwhelming at times and I felt like there was never enough time. When I thought back on my life, I realized the times in my life when I was attending Sunday School, church service, and choir practice were actually the times I seemed to have more energy to get it all done. Also more peace.

Unfortunately I allowed outside, earthly situations to come between me and God. I had greatly disappointed one person in my life because I at some point had promised that I would look for a church with them and instead had sought out one on my own. I honestly don't recall making that statement, but I may have. So I attended church, but I did so carefully. I wanted family to see that the kids and I would still be able to do everything we always did and that is where I let go. I began only attending church sporadically, once I started teaching Sunday School I would only show up on Sundays when I had to teach and then duck out of church before service. All to show that church wasn't taking up all my time and taking me away.

Every once in a while I would hear that a church member was asking about me so I would make sure to pop my head back in to service a few times, then slowly started sliding out again.

This happened off and on from 2008 to 2012. During those 4 years, I desperately wanted to join the choir, but didn't want to put any extra work on family. Plus I wasn't going to invite myself to choir. I had been invited to join back in 2009, but because of graduate school and classes, I didn't join...also the extra work thing. I had also started praying to God to show me what he wanted from me. Well, show me he did. The Sunday school class I had been teaching with 2 other ladies took a turn. At first I was being asked more and more to cover Sundays, then I got the call. One of the ladies had decided to no longer teach. Well it was only a matter of a couple weeks before the other lady stopped too.

So here I was suddenly the sole person responsible for my Sunday School class....and to add icing on the cake, for some reason I always had the most kids show up. The other two classes would have 2 or 3 kids and I would have close to 10. So here I was teaching Sunday School every week and starting to go to services once in a while.....(i.e. If my children were with me and not with a grandparent).

Not quite sure how things changed, but I did get better about attending every Sunday for both Sunday School and service.

Fast forward to now, suddenly I find myself not only on a newly created committee, but the chairperson of that committee, I lead a Wednesday night group, I have committed myself to this blog every night for the month of September, and apparently being chairperson also means I get to be on church council as the representative for my committee. Talk about a drastic change.

But why is this story so significant. Remember I said I suddenly found myself as the sole Sunday School teacher for my class back in 2012? Well that was over 2 years ago now since that happened and it was only last night that I learned more of my story based on God's work in another person's story. The lady who first stopped teaching Sunday School with me was in my Wednesday group last night and our discussion came around to not quite knowing what God has in store for us and she spoke up.

Did you know that she struggled with giving up her role as a teacher with the class I have? She said, God kept telling her to schedule me more Sundays and she did, but then she realized that she wasn't getting to teach as much. She said she didn't want to give up any of it, but that God was pushing her too. She said she also noticed that as long as I was scheduled, I would come and if I wasn't....well, I already told you that part.

Now a little over two years later, she is starting to see God's plan for all of that. She pointed out all that I am now doing and she also shared her story. She is going to start teaching Sunday School for the Nehemiah children. She is so excited about this opportunity and realize it was God's work all along preparing her for this time.

I share all this with you because God has a plan for all of us. We may not understand the events leading up to it, but suddenly we find ourselves in a position and when we look back we can see God's work all over the place. Isn't it great that God loves each and every one of us? That he has dreams for who he wants us to be in his kingdom. Isn't it great that though his sheep may stray, he is going to find them and bring them back in?

Tonight as I sat in my very first church council meeting wondering how on earth did I get here and how did I get myself into this, I couldn't help but see that God has known all along. Now I have no clue what the future holds, but I can definitely see that He has some pretty high expectations for me.

So I go back to last night's post...I prayed for a long time for God to make me empty, to make me broken, and to make me lonely all so I can fill myself with Him. He is certainly working on all that and more.

I leave you tonight with the prayer we ended our meeting with and a song that won't leave my mind, but my story is still being written and I want God to write that story. As the song says "My life, I know it's never really been mine, so do with it whatever you like. I don't know what your plan is, but I know it's good."

Wesleyan Covenant Prayer

I am no longer my own, but Yours.
Put me to what You will,
Rank me with whom You will.
Put me to doing,
put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for You
or laid aside for You,
Exalted for You
or brought low for you.
Let me be full,
Let me be empty.
Let me have all things,
Let me have nothing.
I freely and wholeheartedly
Yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal.

And now, glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
You are mine and I am Yours.
So be it.
And the covenant now made on earth,
Let it be ratified in Heaven.

Amen

Sharing my Story Day 24: War

So, it looks like this focus on sharing my story (and hopefully getting you to share your story or at least reflect and try to figure out yours) has taken a mind of its own so to speak. The past few postings I realize it has become a focus on the fact that we need to get to know Christ as our Savior and that if we already have that, then we need to go out and be disciples, be fishers of men to bring others in to know Christ as well.

The postings for this month came from my starting a Wednesday night group at church focused on telling our story, sharing God's work in our life. Well that group can be so emotional, so thought provoking, and so energizing. What happens in that small classroom each Wednesday leaves me speechless and at the same time wanting to just sing His praises up and down. That spark gets fanned and those flames burn higher and higher to shine that light for the Lord.

Tonight was no exception. We wound our way down a path that I certainly did not plan and you know what? That's okay. As Toby Mac's song says "If you want to steal my show, I'll sit back and watch You go, If You've got something to say, go on and take it away." And that is what I sincerely pray, is for God to steal the show and take us where we need to go.

Our writing, has really turned in to sharing and story telling of the verbal kind. Sure there are moments of silence, but it never reaches that awkward silence because at just the right moment someone will speak out and we are off again. I thank God he gave me the ability to let the silence hang on the air instead of feeling like I should fill every moment with sound. If I did, we would not travel down the paths we go.

Tonight's path was no different. We started by sharing scripture that we hold on to and many of us shared why or the story behind it. Somewhere along the way some of us had out our phones looking things up and sharing. We talked about prayer and how "No" is an answer whether we like it or not. We talked about struggle and just how much God will or will not put on us. We even talked about all the different groups out there and beliefs that are held by people when it comes to religion.

It is this path that leads me to tonight's post. Not so much my story about "war", but the a sharing that we are in a war. We are Christian soldiers and we are going to be faced with battles throughout our lives.

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

No matter what battle we are facing, we must keep the faith. Hold tight to the promise of the eternal life that awaits us. It is going to be hard sometimes. There are people out there who have no believe in any religion whatsoever....we live, we die, end of story. There are people who believe there is something, but don't really care so much about the details. There are people who believe and follow practices that would make our skin crawl. There are people out there preying on young, still developing minds and isolating them from all they know in effort to get them to believe exactly as they do. The list could go on and on and on. But hold true to this, God calls on us to testify the good news of God's grace. He calls us to repent, believe, confess, follow. He calls us to testify to others....including all those different types of people that believe all those different things. It isn't going to be easy and some days we will walk away from a battle so weak and tired we wonder how we can keep moving forward. Other days those battles are going to be victories that gives us such hope and renewed energy that we are going to shout it from the moutain tops.

The great thing about all these battles....GOD is with us. He is bigger than any battle we face. There are going to be times that we feel too weak, but there is a purpose. If we were strong enough on our own to get through everything, then would we really turn to and rely on God? So yes, we are going to be weak so that we can learn to rely on His strength. He will be there in the end. Are you going to be able to say that you have fought the good fight, finished the race, and through it all kept your faith?


Those battles are going to be found all over and include anyone....believers and nonbelievers, friends, foes, family, and complete strangers. Are you prepared? What's your story?Think about the battles you have already fought. Where was God? Can you find him? Did you lean on him? Have you stepped out of your comfort zone, put on your armor as a Christian soldier, and faced the battle before you?

Let us pray,
Lord, Every minute of everyday there are struggles. Struggles that can bring us closer to you or push us farther away. Lord, help us to be more faithful in turning to you, to put our faith in you as we battle here on Earth. You sent your Son to save us so that we might have eternal life. Thank you. Amen.

Sharing my Story Day 23: Keep Making Me

Psalm 51

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. 

1 Have mercy on me, O God, 

    according to you unfailing love;

   according to your great compassion

    blot out my transgressions.

2  Wash away all my iniquity

     and cleanse me from my sin.

3  For I know my transgressions, 

      and my sin is always before me.

4  Against you, you only, have I sinned 

    and done what is evil in your sight;

    so you are right in your verdict 

     and justified when you judge. 

5 Surely I was sinful at birth,

    sinful form the time my mother conceived me. 

6  Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;

     you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

7  Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

     wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8  Let me hear joy and gladness; 

    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9  Hide your face from my sins

    and blot out all my iniquity.

10  Create in me a pure heart, O God,

      and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 

11  Do not cast me from your presence 

      or take your Holy Spirit from me. 

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation

      and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, 

     so that sinners will turn back to you.

14  Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, 

     you are God my Savior,

     and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

15  Open my lips, Lord,

      and my mouth will declare your praise.

16  You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

       you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17  My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;

      a broken and contrite heart 

     you, God, will not despise.

18 May it please you to prosper Zion,

     to build up the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,

     in burnt offerings offered whole; 

     then bulls will be offered on your altar.

We serve an amazing God. One who can take each and every one of us, know us on a personal level down to the number of hairs on our head and our inner most thoughts, and he, He alone can make us into something new. I still get chills every time I sing the line "What can wash away my sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow. No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus." 

Over and over in that song we hear the line....nothing but the blood of Jesus. And guess what he didn't stop there. We aren't left to sit around thinking, "okay, I've been saved. Got my ticket to heaven now." Instead we are continuing to be made each and every day. Each day is a new opportunity to serve God, to follow him, and to bring others to know him. And although he doesn't want us to lose our way, our God is a loving God who realizes we may screw things up sometimes and we have to seek his forgiveness and work that much harder to stay the path and to follow him. He doesn't want any one of his flock to be left behind. 

I started this post with a Sidewalk Prophets song, "Keep Making Me"  and then followed it with Psalm 51. In the video the person who seems to be so down and out on life and just can't get anything to work out "right" finally enters a room labeled Psalm 51 and when he comes out, he is no longer a mess, but a beautiful piece of art, a lion actually, because he stopped to take the time to seek God's forgiveness, to be cleansed and set free from his transgressions. Isn't it great to know that we have a God that cares that much for us!

For me there is more to the song though. A couple years ago, the following song from Sidewalk Prophets really hit home as well. 

"I don't know where to go from here......"

"I'm done fighting....I'm finally letting go."

"I will trust in you."

"If there's a road I should walk, help me find it. 

If I need to be still, give me peace for the moment.

Whatever your will, whatever your will

Can you help me find it?'

How many times have you suddenly found yourself at a loss of where to go, one moment you had no doubt and were trudging along, and then suddenly you come to a point and you just don't know where to go or what to do? How many times do we try to find our own path instead of stopping and asking God to help you find the path he needs you on or to be still and quite rushing around like a mad person trying to keep up with this earthly world. 

I've been there many times and when this song came out, I was in one of those places. This song became my prayer to God. Not much longer after that I heard the first song I posted...Keep Making Me.

"Make me broken, so I can be healed"
"Make me empty, so I can be filled"

"Make me lonely, so I can be yours"

Chorus: 'Til You are my one desire, 'til You are my one true love, 'Til You are my breath, my everything, Lord, please keep making me.

This became my next prayer and plea to God. For days on end I would sing this to the top of my lungs anytime it played on the radio and all day long in my head. Begging God to make me broken, make me empty, and make me lonely all so I could focus on Him and let Him take charge of my life instead of me trying to always be the one in control. And then of course I would have to remind myself when I was feeling broken that I begged God to make me that way so he could really step in and heal me. 

Well, guess what. Prayers like this work. I have always known God, and I've clung to him tightly and let him hold me through all Bradley and Tori and even Aubrey's health problems (Aubrey's was short lived.....couldn't seem to keep breastmilk or formula down and couldn't get started on solids until later than most), but I was still holding on to some of the control. 

Now I am not saying I am perfect or that I am even doing all God wants me to do, but that's just it. I'm still a work in progress and He is going to keep making me and for that I am in awestruck wonder and filled with such gladness. It took praying those songs over and over again and really opening myself up for God to come in and start doing the work he has been trying to do all along. I still don't know about this path I'm on right now and where it is leading, but I don't have to know. I just have to keep the faith and trust God because he has this. And guess what, as tired as I may be from time to time. This whole new level of letting God take control is exhilarating. 

I know what holds me back....my desires to be in control and to plan. What holds you back? Or what helped you to finally let go and let God? 

Let us pray:

God, thank you for not giving up on us. I can't wait to see what you have in store for our lives once we not only accept your Son Jesus Christ as our Savior, but as we learn to let go and let You take control. As we learn to listen and to follow you. It has been a whirlwind of a year so far, but knowing that you are not finished making me yet excites me about the future. I have a joy that is unspeakable and a life that only you are big enough to have dreamed for me. Thank you! Amen.