LeadHer ministries

I was invited to join a group, and was told that I could be as active as I wanted, which fits me right now.  I wanted to share it with you.  It’s called LeadHer.  I thought at first, me?  Be a leader?  A good friend of mine from the blog To Not Decide . . . Is to Decide wrote a little about that:

http://tonotdecideistodecide.blogspot.com/2011/03/could-you-be-leadher.html

And so, huh, kinda neat thought, right?  But what is it?

http://tonotdecideistodecide.blogspot.com/2011/03/leadherwhat.html

Ok, so what do I need to do?

http://tonotdecideistodecide.blogspot.com/2011/03/tell-me-moretell-me-moreabout-leadher.html

Basically, it is just to continue doing what I have been doing, writing what’s in my heart, shining forth with God’s light, and telling people all about where this light in me came from.

And you can help!  We were just presented with this wonderful blessing:

http://bit.ly/eE285W

I signed up, and that could be all that you do.  Just sign up and get greeting cards that you would use for whatever you needed.  But, in using them, you would also be shining forth His light, as well as providing some funding to the LeadHer ministries for whatever need would come to them.  

I’ve always said that I was a good wallflower, a good worker bee, “not a leader but a follower be”, remember?  But, well, I’m steppin’ out.  I want to help LeadHer, and if someone follows that light in me, that’s a good thing!

So, are you a LeadHer?

A heart like mine

Heart Like Mine by Miranda Lambert

‘Cause I heard Jesus, He drank wine

And I bet we’d get along just fine

He could calm a storm and heal the blind

And I bet He’d understand a heart like mine

I heard this on the radio the other day and it really struck a chord within me.  I was also reading in Mark last night and came across this:

Mark 2:16-17 (New International Version, ©2011) (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%202:%2016-17&version=NIV)

16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

 17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

How true and just kind of made the song so much more meaningful!  He would understand a heart like mine and so . . .

I have wanted to adopt for so long, and am trying to come to the realization that it is just not going to happen for me.  I planned, lined everything up.

Steven Curtis Chapman

Album: Speechless

Track: “Whatever”

I made a list, wrote down from A to Z

All the ways I thought that You could best use me

Told all my strengths and my abilities

I formed a plan it seemed to make good sense

I laid it out for You so sure You'd be convinced

I made my case, presented my defense

But then I read the letter that You sent me

It said that all You really want from me is just

Whatever, whatever You say

Whatever, I will obey

Whatever, Lord, have Your way

'Cause You are my God, whatever

It’s been ten years now, and I have to realize that while I have not provided a home to some new person in my life, I have made a home for those closest to me that really need one.  We have opened our home up to family that didn’t have enough room in their own and could not afford to get a larger one.  I get calls from various family members asking me to cook, because, as they put it, “yours are better than a restaurant.”  I’m making calzones this weekend.

Don’t get me wrong – it hurts to have this dream go unrealized.  

Todd Agnew

Album: Grace Like Rain

Track: “This Fragile Breath”

I searched the world for a song that I could sing

Praise to my King A gift that I could bring

But no music I found could compare to you

Not one could do Justice to your glory

What are my songs compared to yours

Chorus:

You speak with thunder and lightning

Your voice shakes the mountains

The foundations of the earth

All I can offer is this fragile breath

With each one I'll praise You

With each one I'll praise You more

I realized – I don’t need to adopt to give a home, not a house or just food, but a home – to someone that needs it.  I still would love to give a home to an orphan, but am realizing that I need to let it happen rather than beating my head against a wall.

Third Day

Album: Offerings II

Track: “Take My Life”

How many times have I turned away

The number is the same as the sand on the shore

But every time You've taken me back

And now I pray You do it once more.

Chorus:

Please take from me my life

When I don't have the strength

to give it away to You Jesus

How many times have I turned away

The number is the same as the stars in the sky

But every time You've taken me back

And now I pray You do it tonight.

Repeat chorus

And so, I will wait and bide my time and keep doing what I am doing.  While I may feel like a failure, to have them keep coming to me must mean that I am getting something right, and for that, I thank Him.

Ginny Owens

Album: Something More

Track: “I AM”

No Lord, he said, you've got the wrong guy

Simple conversation gets me tongue-tied

And you're telling me to speak with a maniac king

Or could it be I've lost my mind

Besides, I am weak, don't you want someone strong

To lead them out of Egypt when they've been there so long

And anyway, they won’t believe You ever spoke to me

It's not your problem, God replied

And the rest is history

’Cause there's a bigger picture you can't see

You don't have to change the world, just trust in Me

'Cause I am your creator, I am working out my plan

And through you I will show them, I Am

Now Lord, are you sure? He's just a shepherd boy

Too small for battle gear with a giant to destroy

What on earth can he do with five stones and a sling

It's not your problem, God replied

'Cause I can do anything

There's a bigger picture you can't see

You don't have to change the world, just trust in me

'Cause I am your creator, I am working out my plan

And through you, I will show them

I am the first, I am the last

I am the present and the past

I am tomorrow and today

I am the only way

Great Lord, she said, I'm just a simple girl

You say that I will bring your son into the world

How can I understand this thing You're gonna do

It's not your problem, God replied

'Cause, there's a bigger picture

And you don't have to change the world (oh no)

I'm your creator, I am working out my plan

And through you, I will show them

There's a bigger picture, you can't see

You don't have to change the world, just trust in me

’Cause I am your creator, I am working out my plan

And through you, I will show them, I Am

I Am

If He wants me to have a child, He will make it happen.  Until then, I have to stop arguing and just keep doing what He needs me to do.

"From Your Hands"

Julian Drive

- From Your Hands

Praying in the garden, You saw the crowd coming

Betrayed by one that called You King

You could have called a band of angels to come and save the day

But instead You chose to stay, You didn’t run away

In the very front of Your mind

While the blood was flowing You saw my face as You cried

Certain in knowing

Tears, blood and pain in the sand

True love was pouring, true love was pouring from Your hands

Bruised and beaten, appeared You were defeated

But things aren’t always what they seem

They thought when they placed Your body into an empty grave

It would end all debate

But the stone was rolled away

The same hand that washes clean, and sets the captive free

Same hand that calmed a sea, and the one who rescued me

I heard this on the radio the other night and got to thinking.  This one has been noodling for some time, lots of pieces to put together, so bear with me.

Thoughts from that night:

Think, imagine

He suffered in the garden . . .

He suffered on the cross . . .

He suffered torture . . .

And all the while

“In the very front of Your mind”

Think . . .

If we hurt just on our own, does that give you any better an idea of what He suffered?  All those faces, all that pain, all those sins, ALL AT ONCE!!!!

I’m not telling this part for sympathy.  I had to go to the hospital to have blood work done last night, the reason behind, I’ll keep to myself.  There was a woman there, hurt, weaving.  She went into the bathroom and was in there so long that one of the nurses went in and found her just coming to – she had passed out and hit her head in the bathroom.  She is part of this new electronic age and so didn’t have any phone numbers memorized as they were all programmed in her phone and she had lost her phone.  She didn’t even know in whose name the house phone would have been in.  She was alone.  The nurses were taking her over to ER and she was so scared and she started crying.  I told her that I would go with her if she wanted.  She wasn’t the only person that was stunned.  I went with her, I sat with her for almost 3 hours until she got back into a bed in ER, and I left her a $10 bill for a cab home once the tests were all run.  And then I went home and told my mother, brother and sister just how grateful I was to know that I would never have to be alone in an ER waiting room, that I had all of them.  That poor girl was so grateful to me, told me that she would never have believed that a perfect stranger would do something like that for someone.  And the hospital staff?  They were speechless.  So, this might not be Outliving my life, but it is counting my blessings and:

Matthew 25:34-40 (New International Version, ©2011) (http://www.biblegateway.com/)

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

   37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

   40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Ever have one of those days? Part 2

But sometimes, what we want is not what we need or what is best or what is planned.  God says, "My grace is sufficient for you."  This is what has become termed here, unanswered prayers.

Garth Brooks "Unaswered Prayers"

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers

Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs

That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

Unanswered prayers – gets you back to thinking about the silversmith and how silver is purified, in the heat of the fire. 

Third Day, "Consuming Fire"

and yes our God, He is a consuming fire

And the flames burn down deep in my soul

Yes our God He is a consuming fire

He reaches inside and He melts down this

cold heart of stone.

In this same chapter in “In the Grip of Grace,” Max asks, “What if God says no?  What if the request is delayed or even denied?  When god says no to you, how will you respond?  If God says, “I’ve given you my grace, and that is enough, will you be content?”

What a concept!

I have to keep in mind Job, Paul, and John the beloved, to mention just a few.  God allowed Job to be tested, he just couldn’t be killed. 

From http://www.gotquestions.org:  What should we learn from the life of Job?

“Job never lost his faith in God, even under the most heartbreaking circumstances that tested him to his core. It’s hard to imagine losing everything we own in one day—property, possessions, and even children. Most men would sink into depression and even become suicidal after such a nightmare; however, although Job must have felt all those emotions, he never wavered in his understanding that God was still in control.”

Job 1: 20-22 (New International Version, ©2010) http://www.biblegateway.com

Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:

   “Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

   and naked I will depart.

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;

   may the name of the LORD be praised.”

22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

He didn’t blame, he didn’t criticize, he accepted and moved on.  I can tell you right now, I’m not that strong!  We have to keep in mind:  "When the Devil harasses us, then we know ourselves to be in good shape!" Martin Luther

I didn’t realize just how tortured Paul was in his ministry, to have had the 39 lashes 5 times!  One lash would probably do me in, I wouldn’t want any more and would probably do much to keep from getting another, but almost 200 of them!

From http://www.gotquestions.org:  What should we learn from the life of Paul?

“First, we learn that God can save anyone.  Those deathbed confessions can be hard for the living to swallow, but if Paul could go from killing Christians to being one and taking the beatings and punishments that he did, how can we not put a little faith in someone else waking up before it’s too late?

Second, we learn from the life of Paul that anyone can be a humble, powerful witness for Jesus Christ.  Switching apostles here, Peter is believed to have been crucified.

From http://www.gotquestions.org:  What should we learn from the life of Peter?

“Jesus said that Peter would die a martyr’s death (John 21:18-19)—a prophecy fulfilled, presumably, during Nero’s reign. Tradition has it that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome, and, although such the story may be true, there is no scriptural or historical witness to the particulars of Peter’s death.”  He said that he was not worthy to die in the same manner and so was hung upside down, per the stories.

Finally, we learn that anyone can surrender completely to God.

The Apostle Paul spent his life proclaiming the risen Christ Jesus throughout the Roman world, often at great personal peril (2 Corinthians 11:24-27). It is assumed that Paul died a martyr’s death in the mid to late 60s A.D. in Rome.”

And for John, to be put in a vat of boiling oil, knowing what that could do to a body, and he had faith and crawled out of that vat, unharmed and no burns!

From http://www.gotquestions.org

“John faced martyrdom when he was boiled in a huge basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution in Rome. However, he was miraculously delivered from death. John was then sentenced to the mines on the prison island of Patmos. He wrote his prophetic book of Revelation on Patmos. The apostle John was later freed and returned to what is now modern-day Turkey. He died as an old man, the only apostle to die peacefully.”

How are we any better?!?  Job lost everything with no understanding as to why, just accepting that God knew all.  Paul asked 3x for the thorn to be removed, and was told that “my grace is sufficient unto thee.”  John outlived everyone, was sent to a prison island to do hard time, and in that, was granted the vision for “Revelation.”

“God sometimes permits what he hates to accomplish what he loves” (Joni Erickson Tada).

Ever have one of those days? Part 1

(This is a two part discussion, with the second part to be posted next week.)

Ever have one of those days (or maybe weeks, or fill in your own time frame!) where everything you touch goes wrong, that if it weren’t for bad luck, you’d have no luck at all?!? 

Born Under A Bad Sign by Booker T. Jones / William Bell

Hard luck and trouble is my only friend

I been on my own ever since I was ten

Born under a bad sign

I been down since I begin to crawl

If it wasn't for bad luck,

I wouldn't have no luck at all

And you wonder what you could have done to result in this turn?  Jesus understood that feeling. 

Mark 15:30-36 (New International Version, ©2010) http://www.biblegateway.com/

33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

Zac Brown Band, Highway 20 Ride Lyrics

So I drive and I think about my life
And wonder why that I slowly die inside

Sometimes, that is exactly how I feel.  There are days when it feels like “when your heart won't tell your mind to tell your mouth what it should say” (Zac Brown Band, As She’s Walking Away)  and so I just pray, Thy will be done.  Brings to mind the question, “where is God when I’m hurting and why was it allowed to happen?”

“God sometimes permits what he hates to accomplish what he loves” (Joni Erickson Tada).

I read a chapter in "In the Grip of Grace" by Max last night and this hit really home right now and this was the verse that started the chapter.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (New International Version, ©2010) http://www.biblegateway.com

7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (underline mine)

Mercy Me "Grace Tells Another Story"

They say don't waste your time

You simply cannot find an ounce of good

within the heart of man they say

we've got to lay in the bed we've made

and live this life without a second chance

but I'm inclined to say there must be something more.

We are told to "ask God for everything you need”: (Phil 4:6). This was something that took me awhile to grasp, that there really isn’t a selfish prayer, if it is coming from the heart.  There is one song that, when I heard it, knocked me flat.  And it was just a prayer for what was needed.

T Graham Brown, “Wine into Water:”

You've hear a multitude of prayers on my behalf

I pray that one more is not too much to ask

I've tried to fight this battle by myself

But it's a war that I can't win without your help

Refrain

Tonight I'm as low as any man can go

I'm down and I can't fall much farther

And once upon a time you turned the water into wine

Now on my knees I'm turning to you father

Could you help me turn the wine back into water

Life’s a bowl of cherries, and I get all the pits?!?

Acts 14:20-22 (New International Version, ©2011) from www.biblegateway.com

They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

By Lynn Anderson, “Never promised you a rose garden:”

I beg your pardon,

I never promised you a rose garden.

Along with the sunshine,

There's gotta be a little rain sometimes.

When you take, you gotta give, so live and let live,

Or let go.

I beg your pardon,

I never promised you a rose garden.

Jesus knew this firsthand – He was sent here to be the perfect sacrificial lamb for our sins.  And there was one time that fear almost overwhelmed him:

Luke 22:42-44 (New International Version, ©2011) from www.biblegateway.com

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”  An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.  And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Literally sweating blood, that is a very powerful fear. 

From the Crabb Family, “Through the Fire:”

so many times I've questioned certain circumstances

Or things I could not understand

Many times in trials weakness blurs my vision

And my frustration gets so out of hand

Its then I am reminded I've never been forsaken

I've never had to stand the test alone

As I look at all the victories

The spirit rises up in me

And its through the fire my weakness is made strong

Chorus:

He never promised that the cross would not get heavy

And the hill would not be hard to climb

He never offered our victories without fighting

But he said help would always come in time

Just remember when your standing in the valley of decision

And the adversary says give in

Just hold on our lord will show up

And he will take you through the fire again

2 Corinthians 12:9-11 (New International Version, ©2011) www.biblegateway.com

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Imagine that – in our weakness, we can show His strength and grace.  And how do we do this?  Simply by giving it all to Him and continuing on our way in the manner that we should!  These verses are subtitled in some bibles as:  Paul had his own strength taken away so that he would draw on the strength of the living God.

And from Mercy Me, “Bring the Rain:”

Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise You

Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of

The dark clouds that may loom above

Because You are much greater than my pain

You who made a way for me

By suffering Your destiny

So tell me what's a little rain

So I pray

I get afraid, I don’t like it when things seem to be going exactly opposite of what I want, but someone understood this so much better than me.  Jesus knew.  And so, I know in believing in Him, I will live with Him and all those that I love that also believed.  And so, I can take a little rain, and go play in the mud puddles!

And from Stephen Curtis Chapman, “Bring it On:”

I didn’t come lookin’ for trouble

And I don’t want to fight needlessly

But I’m not gonna hide in a bubble

If trouble comes for me

I can feel my heart beating faster

I can tell something’s coming down

But if it’s gonna make me grow stronger then…

Bring it on

Let the lightning flash, let the thunder roll, let the storm winds blow

Bring it on

Let the trouble come, let the hard rain fall, let it make me strong

Bring it on

Now, maybe you’re thinkin’ I’m crazy

And maybe I need to explain some things

‘Cause I know I’ve got an enemy waiting

Who wants to bring me pain

But what he never seems to remember

What he means for evil God works for good

So I will not retreat or surrender

Now, I don’t want to sound like some hero

‘Cause it’s God alone that my hope is in

But I’m not gonna run from the very things

That would drive me closer to Him

So bring it on

I don’t ask for trouble, I try so hard to avoid conflict, especially as I get older as my nerves just can’t handle the friction and stress.  But, if Satan comes looking for me, to test me, to try and break my faith, trust, belief and love in my Lord, then “Bring It On!”

The music really spoke this time!

Rich Mullins, "I'll Carry On Lyrics:"

But I'll carry the songs I learned when we were kids

I'll carry the scars of generations gone by

I'll pray for you always, and I promise you this

I'll carry on ~ I'll carry on

Listen to:

Rich Mullins, "Ready For The Storm Lyrics :"

That the lighthouse will keep shining out

Rich Mullins, "Elijah:"

But when I leave I want to go out like Elijah

With a whirlwind to fuel my chariot of fire

And when I look back on the stars

Well, It'll be like a candlelight in Central Park

And it won't break my heart to say goodbye

“Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says, “Oh no, she’s awake.” “–unknown

Oh yeah!

Is it really true love if we love out of fear?

Michael Johnson’s song “Give Me Wings:”

If you love me, give me wings. Don't be afraid if I fly.

A bird in a cage will forget how to sing,

If you love me, give me wings."

In the old testament, God showed His might, His justice, in so many ways:

• Creation
• The Flood
• The plagues
• Leading the Jewish people out of Egypt
• Sending the snakes when they strayed and then using Moses to heal the bitten

His people knew of His strength, and his anger.  His people knew that, but forgot or got sidetracked and lost track.

Since His people knew His anger, He sent Jesus to show love, mercy and grace.  Becoming Jesus was a great show of love.

Third Day, “Your love, Oh Lord:”

Your love, oh Lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness stretches to the sky
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains
Your justice flows like the ocean's tide

Jesus accepted anger and ridicule so as to completely understand all aspects of being human. 

Rich Mullins, “Hold me, Jesus:”

You have been King of my glory

Won't You be my Prince of Peace

All who hear about the torture and death of Jesus can see that He knew what we go through.

“He could have called 10,000 angels:”

They bound the hands of Jesus in the garden where he pray

They led him through the street in shame

They spat upon the Saviour so pure and free from sin

They said crucify him he's to blame

He could have called ten thousand angels to destroy the world and set him free

He could have called ten thousand angels but he died alone for you and me

Upon his precious head they placed a crown of thorns

They laughed and said behold the king

They struck him and they cursed him and mocked his holy name

And all alone he suffered everything

He could have called ten thousand angels to destroy the world and set him free

He could have called ten thousand angels but he died alone for you and me

John 3:16-17 (New International Version, ©2010)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

HE gave us free will (give me wings), but we CHOOSE to love and follow Him!

“Rock of Ages:”

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

let me hide myself in thee;

let the water and the blood,

from thy wounded side which flowed,

be of sin the double cure;

save from wrath and make me pure.

We choose to love and follow, we respect the Creator.  I don’t call it fear.  He died for me, what would you call it?!?