Random....

During Christmas break, my husband’s side of the family went on a cruise to the Bahamas. Our last port of call was Nassau on New Year’s Day. We heard that there was a parade going on that would shut the town down for most of the day, but we went ahead and got off the ship anyway. I am so glad we did! They celebrate New Year’s Day with the Junkanoo parade. There are bright colorful costumes and floats. Marching bands keep the crowd dancing.  We walked through the trash filled streets until we finally made it to the public beach. It was like paradise in the middle of a ghetto. The water was a sparkling blue and the sand was gorgeous. My husband and I rented two chairs while the boys played at water’s edge.

Before we got to Nassau, I didn’t really know much about the city. I didn’t realize that it is a very poor place and that we would be approached by natives asking if we wanted our hair braided or if we wanted to buy handmade jewelry. When we got to the beach I saw a lady with probably 200 necklaces on her arm. I thought to myself, “I already got suckered once out of $10, it’s not happening again!”  That’s when I met Carol. Carol was a large, very dark, native Bahamian. The first thing Carol did was ask if I wanted to buy a few necklaces. I couldn’t say no, so the boys picked a necklace each. Carol started talking about how she celebrated New Year’s Eve in church and how when she prayed she felt a weight lift off of her. She spoke of the break in’s that happen in her neighborhood, of how she lost 4 loved ones just within a few months and how the kids that live next door barely have enough food to eat.

Even though all of these “bad” things happened and continue to happen to Carol, she was still hopeful about the future. I had to sit there amazed at how bad I sometimes think my life is and just laugh. I don’t know what it’s like to have tough times like this smiling lady sitting in front of me. This one, chance encounter with a random lady on a beach changed my life.  

Looks like....

This will be a weekly kind of thing :-) I am far too busy to post during the week, but Saturdays lately have been more calm and I'm able to concentrate on home, school and other things.

This past week, I read through the book of James with a dear friend and when I tell you God has been testing us on our new found knowledge.... wow.

Right off the bat in James 1, it explains that when the hard times come, count it pure joy because our faith is being tested and it is just another opportunity to grow. Another thing that also stood out was in vs. 5 that tells us if we need wisdom, ASK GOD. It doesn't say, go ask your friend, go ask your Pastor, go ask a co-worker.... it says to go to the source of all wisdom. The Message says, "If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it." I love that! 


James 2 toward the end of the chapter talks about mercy. Don't we all need that? The exact wording in vs. 13 says, "There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you." I need mercy on a daily basis and in order to have that mercy I need to give it away to others. You get what you give, basically. That's hard to swallow.


The "tongue" verses in James 3 have never ever been favorites of mine and the reason being is because I have such a hard time with mine! The tongue cannot be tamed. Wild animals can be tamed, but a small piece of flesh can't. It amazes me the trouble that our mouths can get us into. The Word says that with the same mouth that praises Him, we curse others. Lord help us to hold our tongues before they set fires that are hard to put out!


You want what you don't have.... James 4:2. I can admit to the fact that I have been jealous and it has ruined friendships. The Word is clear. When we want what we can't have, it causes problems. My prayer lately has been, "Lord keep me satisfied". Vs. 10 says that when we humble ourselves, God will lift us up. When we get to the point where we realize that we can't do everything on our own and submit our will to his, that is when He will lift us up. 


After James 3, James 5 probably spoke the loudest to me. For years, I have been so consumed with the things of this world. A new car, Coach purse, clothes, shoes, etc.... James 5:3 says, "This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment." My "stuff" is worthless. The only thing that matters is my relationship with God and how my family worships and serves Him. In the last week, God has really been dealing with me about this and how we need to get out of debt so I can resign from my position at work and move on to the "important" things that God has planned out for me. Is the thought of it scary? Oh goodness, yes! Will it be difficult? Yes. The reward will be life giving though! Chapter 5 also talks about praying and confessing our sins to one another. I am so thankful that God has put a friend into my life that I am able to do this with... without fear of judgment. We pray for and encourage each other daily and it has made SUCH a huge difference in our lives. 


I'm not sure what we are reading next week, but I will post on Saturday :-)

So....

I'm not sure if anyone will ever read this, but I feel like this is a journey that I want to document. 

God is moving me in the direction of full time ministry again (after years of being away from it). The burden has been so heavy, the passion for children's ministry has been so strong that it is hard to think of anything else. I sit at work all day and think of ways to better minister to our children at church... my own children.

Since the end of September, my family and I have been attending a church plant with one of the most sincere, loving Pastor's I have ever met. His family has given up so much to follow the call of God on his life and it is so inspiring. Like me, they have been hurt by past congregations and I feel a true connection with them. God has sent many former ministers to this church. Right now, we have a former youth pastor and two former worship leaders that are apart of our church. All three have been hurt by other churches. God is going to heal these people though the ministry of this church, under the leadership of this Pastor and his wonderful wife. 

There is so much more to this story, but tomorrow is Sunday and the busiest day of the week :-)