Let's Get Real

I was reminded this week of how many folks truly go through the motions in their relationship with God. They are content to go to church on Sunday, say all of the right Christian phrases, even read their Bible from time to time on their own...maybe. But they miss the most important thing--having and developing a relationship with God that is authentic, that is truly real and life transforming.

I believe that most folks on the outside looking in are turned off by our very lives as Christians. They are looking for authentic relationships, people living lives that have truly been transformed by the message of the Gospel.

What would it look like if all of us who have trusted in Christ as Savior would no longer be satisfied to just look like a Christian on the outside...going to church, saying "to God be the Glory," and carrying our Bible?

What would it look like if we actually believed and lived like the body of Christ....not the church, the building where we gather on Sunday, but the hands and feet of Christ? What would our communities and our nation look like if we didn't just say "to God be the Glory" but that in our relationship with Him, we lived a transformed life that was a living testimony to His redemption power in our lives...and that through our lives we really gave Him the glory. What would our families, marriages, neighborhoods, and churches look like if we didn't just carry our Bible, but each day we worked to read it, study it, understand it, and most importantly live it so that the truth of God's word would change us from the inside out.

I'm no longer content to just go through the motions. Are you? If you are not already living a life sold out to Christ, what will it take? What will motivate you to step out and do something radical for Christ, to turn your world upside down with a life lived in a way that only God can achieve, to trust Him to truly make you into His image. Are you ready? I am! Let's get real!!!

God is up to something

Some weeks ago I read a Facebook post that simply said, "I don't know who this is for but God said, "Be still but be ready." It spoke to me immediately.

If you've ever struggled with God...then you know what it is to realize that the struggle really isn't even with God, the struggle is with yourself. We know what God has called us to do, but we might be afraid, uncomfortable, or just not want to follow. And therein lies the conflict and thus our flesh (what we want to do) collides with the Spirit (what God is directing us to do).

Several months ago I made a very big decision. I had no idea of what God was doing, but I had peace. Later, I began to doubt and second-guess, and wanted to go back. But I kept hearing God say, "Be still." So in obedience, I was still.

Then came the post, and I felt Him saying, "Daughter, I'm up to something. I am moving. I am work" And in those words, "Be still, but be ready," I heard my Father's voice. Yet the internal struggle continued. Then God spoke to be me through a children's book, reminding me of the story of Lot's wife...I was fortitified. "Don't look back!"

Friday, God gave me a glimpse of what He's up to. I met a phenomonel woman of God, who has such a passion for children...the same heart for God that I have when it comes to people. She has such a beautiful spirit, and lives her life to please God.

In meeting her, I understood. My heart rejoiced to see His plan unfolding, to see the confirmation of what He had said to me almost a year ago. If God is telling you to "be still," be obedient. He's up to something.

Happy Meal Smiles

Do you know those kinds of smiles your kids get when you tell them you're stopping by McDonald's for lunch? No matter how else the day has gone...they just break out in this large grin. I'm still not sure if it's the french fries, the chicken nuggets, or the new toy...but you can't beat that look.

I had the same look last week when a new friend stopped by my book table at the Children's Ministry Expo, held at the Lexington Center July 15-16, 2010. As she walked slowly, but deliberately toward me, I knew I recognized her...but couldn't quite placed the face. Then as she got closer, and reminded me of our encounter in St. Louis....my face broke out in that Happy Meal smile as the recognitions set in. We grabbed hands, hugged, and started jumping up and down like typical high school girls....(I guess you never really grow out of it).

It was just the total incredibleness of the moment. You see Barbara and I had just met about two weeks prior when I attended the International Christian Retail Show in St. Louis. Again, another event promoting "10 Things Every Kid Should Know About God." We me while standing in line to get a free copy of a book. Along with Karen, a filmmaker, we also met in line, we talked and talked as if we had known each other for a life time.

It was truly a WOW moment. I was soaking it all in as they talked about their kids and more importantly how they affirm their children every day. That is something I struggle with, but I was amazed by these women. And I truly felt when I walked away that it was God-ordained. That He was speaking to me through them...reminding me of the power of words and the impact they can have in our lives and the lives of our children and those around us.

I took that message back home and was already beginning to implement some of things that they said in the conversation. Now...don't get me wrong, they were not "instructing" me...we were just three women standing in line talking about our families, why we were at the show, and how amazing that the line was moving so fast. We did stand in line for 30 minutes. But by daughter loved the book.

That is just how God works. He gives us divine encounters....we just have to recognize them. So when I ran into Barbara just two weeks later...WOW God!! He is truly amazing.

I look forward to our friendship....and in anticipation to see what God is up to! He doesn't do anything by happenstance, consequence, or by the way...I'm in for the ride.

Think about your life this week. Has God given you a divine encounter? Did you recognize it? Are you in for the ride?

I hope so.

P.S.

see Barbara's website at http://www.adnamis.org/,

see Karen's site at http://www.breathemotionpictures.com/