I just got home a little bit ago from therapy...not anything too serious like physical or psycho, but the REEAAALLLLYY good kind...you know, girl therapy. I just had my hair done.
Now I know that any sweet ones who have virgin hair won't get this, but it really is the best. So much cheaper than those dr. types- not that you shouldn't seek them out if you need them - it's just that I love to have some "laugh therapy".
Now Diana, aka. miracle worker, takes such good care of my locks, but she also is very good for my soul. We have a blast in Jesus together. And she is very kind, too. I know she has to wonder why she has to keep creating that magical concoction when she knows I am actually blond to the brain stem so all those roots should just grow out blond anyway. But, ya know, she has never once said it out loud to me. And somehow, she always manages to tell me a story that makes me laugh so hard I always want to double check and make sure she's not actually trying to CUT my hair at that point. It really is a disaster in the making, but I can't help it...she makes me laugh. I love that about her. Oh, we have both seen our fair share of life junk, but we are also both keenly aware of His incredible gifts...Like girl therapy. I hope, sweet sisters, you have someone to laugh with...and cry with when you need to...girl therapy is a necessity of life, don't you think?
Monday, October 20, 2008
Thank you , Beth Moore and Living Proof
This is from a post on the Lifeway site celebrating 10 years of Living Proof Live events with Beth Moore. The offer was to leave a comment of thanks. Well, of course, a simple thank you would never do for me!...
This box they have me typing in seems awfully small for the overflow of feelings I have. When I was 32 years old, shortly after I had my second daughter, my oldest daughter, Chelsea, had just given her heart to Christ. I had become absolutely dumb-struck by the incredible responsibility and privelege I had for my daughters' discipling. I was completely unprepared. I was saved at an early age but never really discipled and to say I made some lousy choices wouldn't even begin to describe my wreck of a life...But God. He encircled me with a church that reached out to the girls and I and loved us like crazy. And my first big step was doing Experiencing God. Huge change for me. So what does all that have to do with the question posed here...
Then came my first Beth Moore study. I learned so much. And your two girls were just older versions of my own. I was inpired and encouraged. Thank you.
I remember completing two Beth Moore studies before going to my first LPL event. And unlike one of my Siestas who had it right from the beginning, I had to guard myself from worshipping the messenger instead of the only real Message! Yes, I became an official Beth Moore groupie in Moore, Ok (pretty appropriate, huh?). One of the first Christian music CD's I bought was the LPL CD from Travis - oh my, it might have even been on cassette back in the day! What a praise team!! No words will ever do them justice. Thank you. I've completed all but I think one of Beth's studies, and after either leading (who would have ever dreamed - oh, yeah...Him.) or attending them, I had to buy the trade book, too. I didn't want the truth she taught me to slip away. Thank you.
And, Beth, I remember somehow you were booked to speak in...of all places...Seymour, TX, which is a little over an hour's drive from my house. Which, of course, all Texans understand is "just up the road." I think that was before you really hit it "big"... ;)I attended that event and cried from the start to the finish and healed more than you can imagine. You see, just a week or so before, my husband of 16 years had told me he was finished. I needed you and even more I needed Him...and you lead me to Him. That was in 2000. Thank you.
And this summer I got to be a part of the Siesta Fiesta. What fun and what joy!! How far we have come!!! Thank you.
Beth, I remember so vividly you talking about the two people who inspired you to be hungry and love God's Word and to love Jesus with abandon. Well, my dear sweet sister, YOU have been that mentor for me. Even if from afar, even if from words on a page, even if from a message from a video. No other single teacher has had a greater impact on me than you. And I pray that the influence I now pass on is one that is absolutely glorifying to Jesus alone. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I will continue to pray for you, your precious family, and your team.
This box they have me typing in seems awfully small for the overflow of feelings I have. When I was 32 years old, shortly after I had my second daughter, my oldest daughter, Chelsea, had just given her heart to Christ. I had become absolutely dumb-struck by the incredible responsibility and privelege I had for my daughters' discipling. I was completely unprepared. I was saved at an early age but never really discipled and to say I made some lousy choices wouldn't even begin to describe my wreck of a life...But God. He encircled me with a church that reached out to the girls and I and loved us like crazy. And my first big step was doing Experiencing God. Huge change for me. So what does all that have to do with the question posed here...
Then came my first Beth Moore study. I learned so much. And your two girls were just older versions of my own. I was inpired and encouraged. Thank you.
I remember completing two Beth Moore studies before going to my first LPL event. And unlike one of my Siestas who had it right from the beginning, I had to guard myself from worshipping the messenger instead of the only real Message! Yes, I became an official Beth Moore groupie in Moore, Ok (pretty appropriate, huh?). One of the first Christian music CD's I bought was the LPL CD from Travis - oh my, it might have even been on cassette back in the day! What a praise team!! No words will ever do them justice. Thank you. I've completed all but I think one of Beth's studies, and after either leading (who would have ever dreamed - oh, yeah...Him.) or attending them, I had to buy the trade book, too. I didn't want the truth she taught me to slip away. Thank you.
And, Beth, I remember somehow you were booked to speak in...of all places...Seymour, TX, which is a little over an hour's drive from my house. Which, of course, all Texans understand is "just up the road." I think that was before you really hit it "big"... ;)I attended that event and cried from the start to the finish and healed more than you can imagine. You see, just a week or so before, my husband of 16 years had told me he was finished. I needed you and even more I needed Him...and you lead me to Him. That was in 2000. Thank you.
And this summer I got to be a part of the Siesta Fiesta. What fun and what joy!! How far we have come!!! Thank you.
Beth, I remember so vividly you talking about the two people who inspired you to be hungry and love God's Word and to love Jesus with abandon. Well, my dear sweet sister, YOU have been that mentor for me. Even if from afar, even if from words on a page, even if from a message from a video. No other single teacher has had a greater impact on me than you. And I pray that the influence I now pass on is one that is absolutely glorifying to Jesus alone. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I will continue to pray for you, your precious family, and your team.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Get Thee Behind Me
Get thee behind me, you deceiver of old.
You have no authority, no power, no control.
Go back from whence you came.
For Jesus lives in THIS place.
O you have trapped and even ensnared me before.
But Jesus reigns supreme here now and forevermore.
You have nothing to show for your decietful ways-
For all that you set to destroy me with
Are now under His control.
And He is using those despicable things
To bring Hope, Faith and Love
To those in such desperate need.
Because now they can believe,
"If He can use one such as she, surely He can me!”
Crawl on your belly and leave me at once.
For haven’t you noticed that my stumblings
Are fewer and further between?
But we both know it is not me. Oh, no.
My Strength and my Confidence are not my own, of course you see-
But of the One you believe in and fear
And of the One I adore.
You with your beauty and pride are no match for Him.
You lose. Yes, you lose. Your crushing will come.
For His love, His mercy, His grace
Are beyond your ability to battle.
Perhaps you enjoy small victories of sin in this fallen world.
But make no mistake, you slithering snake, your Foe is the victor.
Truth is His name; Love He proclaims
And freedom for the captured soul that you have failed to destroy.
Get thee behind me, you deceiver of old.
For there is room for only One – the Lover of my soul.
You have no authority, no power, no control.
Go back from whence you came.
For Jesus lives in THIS place.
O you have trapped and even ensnared me before.
But Jesus reigns supreme here now and forevermore.
You have nothing to show for your decietful ways-
For all that you set to destroy me with
Are now under His control.
And He is using those despicable things
To bring Hope, Faith and Love
To those in such desperate need.
Because now they can believe,
"If He can use one such as she, surely He can me!”
Crawl on your belly and leave me at once.
For haven’t you noticed that my stumblings
Are fewer and further between?
But we both know it is not me. Oh, no.
My Strength and my Confidence are not my own, of course you see-
But of the One you believe in and fear
And of the One I adore.
You with your beauty and pride are no match for Him.
You lose. Yes, you lose. Your crushing will come.
For His love, His mercy, His grace
Are beyond your ability to battle.
Perhaps you enjoy small victories of sin in this fallen world.
But make no mistake, you slithering snake, your Foe is the victor.
Truth is His name; Love He proclaims
And freedom for the captured soul that you have failed to destroy.
Get thee behind me, you deceiver of old.
For there is room for only One – the Lover of my soul.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Fleeting moments
Do you ever feel completely overwhelmed by God's goodness? I mean like "fall on your face" overwhelmed. To be honest, while it happens for me fairly often, it probably doesn't happen nearly often enough. Not because His goodness isn't always overwhelming, but because I don't seem to notice as often as I should. Anybody else get that?
Let's take today for example. I was sitting at dinner with my family and observing the interaction of my two sweet daughters. And then BAMMMMM!!! - I suddenly was so overwhelmed by the fact that they have been entrusted to me or more specifically to each other. That God would somehow deem me worthy of this kind of joy. Sweet moments of joy that are fleeting at best because they are so tied to that precise moment.
You know the kind. That momentary rush of color at sunset that seems to vanish with the ray of sunlight that it rode into your vision on. That momentary "warm all over" feeling when you watch your man across the room as he laughs his unmistakable laugh and you realize God meant him for you - and he is. That momentary silence before dawn when the nestling under the covers brings a comfort of sleep unmatched by the other five hours you've had.
Sweet joy. One nineteen, finding her wings, but still needing her mom. The other eleven, innocence embodied, also still needing her mom. But the bond between them is not me. No, it is a soul connection designed by God for His glory. I'm just so humbled that He has allowed me to be the witness to it. The observer and the nuturer of it. But the relationship they have will carry them far beyond my watch; prayerfully far beyond my life.
But for that fleeting moment, I glimpsed a bit of heaven. Two smiles in a restaurant full of people that spoke volumes and was meant only for the other. Sweet relationship that will sustain, support, and even remind or reprimand at times. But oh, for the privilege of watching it bloom and blossom. And then the moment was gone. The conversation moved on. Others, me included, entered the moment and moved it past their concentration on each other.
But that moment, that fleeting moment I was overwhelmed by His goodness. Isn't He good?
Let's take today for example. I was sitting at dinner with my family and observing the interaction of my two sweet daughters. And then BAMMMMM!!! - I suddenly was so overwhelmed by the fact that they have been entrusted to me or more specifically to each other. That God would somehow deem me worthy of this kind of joy. Sweet moments of joy that are fleeting at best because they are so tied to that precise moment.
You know the kind. That momentary rush of color at sunset that seems to vanish with the ray of sunlight that it rode into your vision on. That momentary "warm all over" feeling when you watch your man across the room as he laughs his unmistakable laugh and you realize God meant him for you - and he is. That momentary silence before dawn when the nestling under the covers brings a comfort of sleep unmatched by the other five hours you've had.
Sweet joy. One nineteen, finding her wings, but still needing her mom. The other eleven, innocence embodied, also still needing her mom. But the bond between them is not me. No, it is a soul connection designed by God for His glory. I'm just so humbled that He has allowed me to be the witness to it. The observer and the nuturer of it. But the relationship they have will carry them far beyond my watch; prayerfully far beyond my life.
But for that fleeting moment, I glimpsed a bit of heaven. Two smiles in a restaurant full of people that spoke volumes and was meant only for the other. Sweet relationship that will sustain, support, and even remind or reprimand at times. But oh, for the privilege of watching it bloom and blossom. And then the moment was gone. The conversation moved on. Others, me included, entered the moment and moved it past their concentration on each other.
But that moment, that fleeting moment I was overwhelmed by His goodness. Isn't He good?
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Awed by His Presence
As the wife of a youth minister, you pray for young people to really "get it." Well, it's happening! Praise God!
I can't even seem to express what is happening. We don't have a huge church so the numbers might seem almost laughable to those in larger cities. We live in a very small town, but serve one of the larger churches. By larger, we are talking real excitement to see 300 in worship on a Sunday!
As for our kids, to say we have been in a drought would be an understatement. We have been starving for some youth to step up and take some leadership, and we have been praying for our young men in particular. Two years ago, we graduated a large group but the strength of the group was primarily (not completely) with the girls. All of last year, we kept waiting for something and feeling at times like maybe it was time for us to move on...maybe He is finished using us here.
Last spring, we battled Satan like never before over our Disciple Now weekend...to the point I was saying we need to just cancel the whole thing. Kids were so busy with other things, I just didn't seeing the time having much impact. I'm so glad He hasn't put me in charge. He so knows I can be an idiot!
It was incredibly attended and God began to really stir the waters. As a result of that weekend a group of high school boys began an accountability group - the Skyhawks. Their first meeting was in my teeny living room (my whole house is about 1200 sq ft!!). There were 17 of them. I think they were stacked 2 high! I stood in my kitchen listening to these guys not just read scripture but really DISCUSS it. What it meant. Why He used those particular words. What does it mean in practical terms? I was so stunned and blown away. I cried and praised Him for the work He was doing.
Then we attended a Student Life Camp and God continued to teach, stretch, and grow our kids. Worship began to take on a new feel even in the summer.
So tonight was the first "back in the groove" Wednesday after the hectic summer. We always sing a few songs and then Jimmy brings the message, but tonight some of the Skyhawks wanted to share. We literally were packed from wall to wall. I saw kids worhsip in Spirit and in Truth - which meant different things for different ones - Yep, even in a Baptist church! ;) Two young men shared their favorite verses and their applications. Two other young men talked about worship and why we worship...He is sooooo worthy! and finally, one young man actually brought a message from Joshua 1:1-9 (some of my favorite scriptures!) and helped the kids see how to appy those to their mission field - their school.
I was completely blown away. Whoever reads this...Be encouraged!!! God is moving among the young!! The next generation will do incredible things in the name of Jesus! We had 6th -12th graders tonight who are being used by our Mighty God! I sat at the back of the room and couldn't stop crying.
One of those young men who shared, we have had in our group since he was 11 years old in the 6th grade...kept to himself, never said anything, actually came because his parents made him, I think. I couldn't have been more proud ( in a Godly sense!) of him. He spoke confidently and passionately about why Jesus is worth our worship and praise and that praising openly and honestly is okay. Whoa. That is an incredible turn-around. Who is THAT kid? Then it hit me.
I sat and pondered what I was seeing and thought, "God, you didn't just do this in the past 6 months." And I thought of the conversation I had with my own daughter to encourage and support her through a class with a particularly aggressive evolution-supporting professor. We truly are wonderfully and fearfully made. Each of those young men who shared and each young person that was there had an appointment on their divine calendar with their God on this night and in this way. And that appointment was set before they ever drew a breath. So was mine. He has spent their whole life preparing them, and me, for that moment. Common truth, I know, but I love it when "old" truths keep being delivered with such power and with new applications! I'm always stunned by it.
Hallelujah!!! He knew this was coming and in our times of discouragement, how often have I held onto the words God spoke to Joshua? (see previous post...David and I both think Joshua was pretty awesome!) I almost let Satan have back some ground that we had gained. But not only am I kicking him off my property, but I'm not giving him an inch back of the ground we have claimed and conquered!
I'm not sure where He will have us head next, but I can't wait for the ride! Please, Father, show us YOUR glory!!! Be praised and be glorified! Amen.
I can't even seem to express what is happening. We don't have a huge church so the numbers might seem almost laughable to those in larger cities. We live in a very small town, but serve one of the larger churches. By larger, we are talking real excitement to see 300 in worship on a Sunday!
As for our kids, to say we have been in a drought would be an understatement. We have been starving for some youth to step up and take some leadership, and we have been praying for our young men in particular. Two years ago, we graduated a large group but the strength of the group was primarily (not completely) with the girls. All of last year, we kept waiting for something and feeling at times like maybe it was time for us to move on...maybe He is finished using us here.
Last spring, we battled Satan like never before over our Disciple Now weekend...to the point I was saying we need to just cancel the whole thing. Kids were so busy with other things, I just didn't seeing the time having much impact. I'm so glad He hasn't put me in charge. He so knows I can be an idiot!
It was incredibly attended and God began to really stir the waters. As a result of that weekend a group of high school boys began an accountability group - the Skyhawks. Their first meeting was in my teeny living room (my whole house is about 1200 sq ft!!). There were 17 of them. I think they were stacked 2 high! I stood in my kitchen listening to these guys not just read scripture but really DISCUSS it. What it meant. Why He used those particular words. What does it mean in practical terms? I was so stunned and blown away. I cried and praised Him for the work He was doing.
Then we attended a Student Life Camp and God continued to teach, stretch, and grow our kids. Worship began to take on a new feel even in the summer.
So tonight was the first "back in the groove" Wednesday after the hectic summer. We always sing a few songs and then Jimmy brings the message, but tonight some of the Skyhawks wanted to share. We literally were packed from wall to wall. I saw kids worhsip in Spirit and in Truth - which meant different things for different ones - Yep, even in a Baptist church! ;) Two young men shared their favorite verses and their applications. Two other young men talked about worship and why we worship...He is sooooo worthy! and finally, one young man actually brought a message from Joshua 1:1-9 (some of my favorite scriptures!) and helped the kids see how to appy those to their mission field - their school.
I was completely blown away. Whoever reads this...Be encouraged!!! God is moving among the young!! The next generation will do incredible things in the name of Jesus! We had 6th -12th graders tonight who are being used by our Mighty God! I sat at the back of the room and couldn't stop crying.
One of those young men who shared, we have had in our group since he was 11 years old in the 6th grade...kept to himself, never said anything, actually came because his parents made him, I think. I couldn't have been more proud ( in a Godly sense!) of him. He spoke confidently and passionately about why Jesus is worth our worship and praise and that praising openly and honestly is okay. Whoa. That is an incredible turn-around. Who is THAT kid? Then it hit me.
I sat and pondered what I was seeing and thought, "God, you didn't just do this in the past 6 months." And I thought of the conversation I had with my own daughter to encourage and support her through a class with a particularly aggressive evolution-supporting professor. We truly are wonderfully and fearfully made. Each of those young men who shared and each young person that was there had an appointment on their divine calendar with their God on this night and in this way. And that appointment was set before they ever drew a breath. So was mine. He has spent their whole life preparing them, and me, for that moment. Common truth, I know, but I love it when "old" truths keep being delivered with such power and with new applications! I'm always stunned by it.
Hallelujah!!! He knew this was coming and in our times of discouragement, how often have I held onto the words God spoke to Joshua? (see previous post...David and I both think Joshua was pretty awesome!) I almost let Satan have back some ground that we had gained. But not only am I kicking him off my property, but I'm not giving him an inch back of the ground we have claimed and conquered!
I'm not sure where He will have us head next, but I can't wait for the ride! Please, Father, show us YOUR glory!!! Be praised and be glorified! Amen.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
This is my first attempt at this. I have no idea who, if anyone, will ever read this, so I am going to write this as much as possible in a way I would approach my friends or ladies in one of our Bible study groups. Here goes!
The Siesta Fiesta weekend...so anticipated...so stressful just to get ready to be gone the weekend before school started...so didn't have the money to go...so needed to be at church with my Sunday School class...so needed to be at home helping my baby girl get ready for junior high...so needed to be with my man workin' with the youth on Sunday night. So hard to be gone that weekend...SO WORTH IT!!!
I was able to attend a Beth Moore Living Proof Live event in San Antonio this past weekend. As you can see above, the enemy really didn't want me to go. And if he couldn't keep me from going, he wanted to steal the Word God had for me. But, praise the Lord, he failed miserably! Once again my Jesus prevailed!
So many wonderful things came from this weekend. I was able to travel with four of the most precious women. My older sister and my niece have both done a couple of Beth's Bible studies in the past. My cousin had heard of Beth Moore, but not done any of her studies, and my very special friend who is my fellow road warrior in Bible study...she organizes and plans them, I teach/facilitate. We make a great team if I do say so myself! ;) We've been called Beth Moore groupies, but just so you know, we HAVE done a few other studies NOT written by Beth.
Back to the weekend...Casey, my friend, and I are part of a blog community known as Siesta's, who all LOVE Beth, her work, and her family. As part of that community, we were able to be a part of some special events, like some a reserved seating section and a question and answer session with Beth and her daughters...more on that later.
The weekend was filled with lots of laughter and fun, but the most amazing thing about the time was the time spent with the Father. There were approximately 9,995 women and 5 poor guys in the Alamodome, but the place was completely filled with the Holy Spirit. I'm still wowed by it. I always want to be wowed by Him. Don't you?
Here is a thought that I briefly posted on the Siesta Fiesta blog about the weekend. I still want more time to reflect and roll it over in my heart and mind, so I will try to post more at a later time, but I want to talk about one thing in particular.
In her teaching, Beth referenced the fact that Joshua was David's hero. I love that. I thought about how Beth seems to be a hero so many of us have (besides our Jesus, of course! - And I think another Siesta was so right to say that we need to be careful not to worship our teacher-as precious as she is-but to allow her to point us to THE Teacher!) Sorry. Back to the David thought.
I just have really been mulling that over. Joshua being a hero to David. Beth being a hero to me & to so many of us. So, who am I a hero to? Who are you a hero to? Overwhelming, humbling, and inspiring thought, huh? You may think, "Not me. I'm not anyone's hero." Are you absolutely for sure?
I teach ladies Bible studies and high school girls Sunday School and lead a creative movement praise and worship team - have done those things for years, so in all likelihood, I am some one's hero. In fact I've had a unique opportunity on a couple of occasions to have one of my girls write about me in their "required for English" hero essay. Usually it is their sweet mothers who have shared the essays with me. Let me say that you pretty much have had to mop me off the floor when I read them. On other occasions I've had some sweet lady share her admiration. Whoa! Hold the phone. Are you talking about me?
So what about you? What roles do you play? Maybe you have some of the same roles as I do, maybe not. Maybe you teach in a public school...maybe you coach one of your kids' ball teams...or help with Scouts...or maybe you are "just" (I hate that connotation) a Mom. Uh-oh. Guess what? I'm fairly certain YOU are some one's hero! Pretty scary, huh? And if you are like me I really don't want to be on a pedestal. Only One deserves such a lofty place.
I know the blackness of my heart, the harsh words spoken, the thoughts too awful to even give words to. Hero? ME? Surely you have mistaken me for someone else...someone who has it all together, someone who is doing great things for the Lord, someone, well, admirable. But I also know that most of those who may call me hero, know I'm not perfect...and all of them who have shared such sentiment with me always talk about Him...Him in me. So somehow, even with my huge human failures, perhaps I'm pointing them to Him. Please, God, let it be said of me. What about you? Are you, ever-so-humbly and ever-so-shaky at times, pointing those looking up to you to One much loftier? Asking them to look past you to see Him. I bet you are. I pray you are.
And when the thought seems too much - picture yours truly face down on the floor!- remember that Joshua is the one who had to be told REPEATEDLY - "Be strong and courageous." So David, the greatest King of Israel, a man after God's own heart, looked up to that guy? What kind of hero has fear?
Hmmm. Joshua, didn't he do some pretty amazing things? Didn't he become a mighty fighting warrior? Didn't he conquer enemy after enemy? Wasn't he in a tremendous battle when he asked the Lord for help in a pretty unusual way...like the sun standing still!?! Hmmm...and he started that whole being used by God thing with some fear, huh? "Be strong and courageous...Be very strong and courageous." Not bad advice for us hero types.
The Siesta Fiesta weekend...so anticipated...so stressful just to get ready to be gone the weekend before school started...so didn't have the money to go...so needed to be at church with my Sunday School class...so needed to be at home helping my baby girl get ready for junior high...so needed to be with my man workin' with the youth on Sunday night. So hard to be gone that weekend...SO WORTH IT!!!
I was able to attend a Beth Moore Living Proof Live event in San Antonio this past weekend. As you can see above, the enemy really didn't want me to go. And if he couldn't keep me from going, he wanted to steal the Word God had for me. But, praise the Lord, he failed miserably! Once again my Jesus prevailed!
So many wonderful things came from this weekend. I was able to travel with four of the most precious women. My older sister and my niece have both done a couple of Beth's Bible studies in the past. My cousin had heard of Beth Moore, but not done any of her studies, and my very special friend who is my fellow road warrior in Bible study...she organizes and plans them, I teach/facilitate. We make a great team if I do say so myself! ;) We've been called Beth Moore groupies, but just so you know, we HAVE done a few other studies NOT written by Beth.
Back to the weekend...Casey, my friend, and I are part of a blog community known as Siesta's, who all LOVE Beth, her work, and her family. As part of that community, we were able to be a part of some special events, like some a reserved seating section and a question and answer session with Beth and her daughters...more on that later.
The weekend was filled with lots of laughter and fun, but the most amazing thing about the time was the time spent with the Father. There were approximately 9,995 women and 5 poor guys in the Alamodome, but the place was completely filled with the Holy Spirit. I'm still wowed by it. I always want to be wowed by Him. Don't you?
Here is a thought that I briefly posted on the Siesta Fiesta blog about the weekend. I still want more time to reflect and roll it over in my heart and mind, so I will try to post more at a later time, but I want to talk about one thing in particular.
In her teaching, Beth referenced the fact that Joshua was David's hero. I love that. I thought about how Beth seems to be a hero so many of us have (besides our Jesus, of course! - And I think another Siesta was so right to say that we need to be careful not to worship our teacher-as precious as she is-but to allow her to point us to THE Teacher!) Sorry. Back to the David thought.
I just have really been mulling that over. Joshua being a hero to David. Beth being a hero to me & to so many of us. So, who am I a hero to? Who are you a hero to? Overwhelming, humbling, and inspiring thought, huh? You may think, "Not me. I'm not anyone's hero." Are you absolutely for sure?
I teach ladies Bible studies and high school girls Sunday School and lead a creative movement praise and worship team - have done those things for years, so in all likelihood, I am some one's hero. In fact I've had a unique opportunity on a couple of occasions to have one of my girls write about me in their "required for English" hero essay. Usually it is their sweet mothers who have shared the essays with me. Let me say that you pretty much have had to mop me off the floor when I read them. On other occasions I've had some sweet lady share her admiration. Whoa! Hold the phone. Are you talking about me?
So what about you? What roles do you play? Maybe you have some of the same roles as I do, maybe not. Maybe you teach in a public school...maybe you coach one of your kids' ball teams...or help with Scouts...or maybe you are "just" (I hate that connotation) a Mom. Uh-oh. Guess what? I'm fairly certain YOU are some one's hero! Pretty scary, huh? And if you are like me I really don't want to be on a pedestal. Only One deserves such a lofty place.
I know the blackness of my heart, the harsh words spoken, the thoughts too awful to even give words to. Hero? ME? Surely you have mistaken me for someone else...someone who has it all together, someone who is doing great things for the Lord, someone, well, admirable. But I also know that most of those who may call me hero, know I'm not perfect...and all of them who have shared such sentiment with me always talk about Him...Him in me. So somehow, even with my huge human failures, perhaps I'm pointing them to Him. Please, God, let it be said of me. What about you? Are you, ever-so-humbly and ever-so-shaky at times, pointing those looking up to you to One much loftier? Asking them to look past you to see Him. I bet you are. I pray you are.
And when the thought seems too much - picture yours truly face down on the floor!- remember that Joshua is the one who had to be told REPEATEDLY - "Be strong and courageous." So David, the greatest King of Israel, a man after God's own heart, looked up to that guy? What kind of hero has fear?
Hmmm. Joshua, didn't he do some pretty amazing things? Didn't he become a mighty fighting warrior? Didn't he conquer enemy after enemy? Wasn't he in a tremendous battle when he asked the Lord for help in a pretty unusual way...like the sun standing still!?! Hmmm...and he started that whole being used by God thing with some fear, huh? "Be strong and courageous...Be very strong and courageous." Not bad advice for us hero types.
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