Do you know who you are? It seems like a simple and silly question, right? This question is one I have been asking over myself for over a year. At the start of 2017 I experienced a heartache that began to cripple me and over time I allowed it to down right paralyze me. I stopped being me. I retreated. I isolated. I questioned. I feared. I stopped sharing my faith because someone used their words to hurt me, and I allowed it.

“She’s a fake and a fraud.”

Those were the words that stopped me in my tracks and put me on my “mat” where I could not get back up. I’m afraid there are many of us in this condition. In John 5 you read about Jesus healing a lame man by the pool. Check this out:

“Here a great number of disabled people used to lie – the blind, the lame, and paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time he asked him, “Do you want to be healed” John 5:3-6

I am going to pause the story. Do you see how the broken congregate together? Do you see that the man had been paralyzed for 38 years? He had remained on the same mat by the same pool surrounded by the same people – unchanging, accepting his condition, wanting to be pitied when Jesus came up and asked him if he wanted to be healed. Wouldn’t you think he would jump at the opportunity to say yes? Let’s pick up the story…

“Sir, the invalid replied, I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes in ahead of me.” John 5:7

Pause again! REALLY! That was his answer? He was waiting for someone else to do the work to get him to the water…after 38 years? Here are some amazing nuggets of  truth that I just learned from Christine Cain at the “Heaven Come 2018” Bethel Conference from this past weekend:

• Sometimes we make our peace with our brokenness.
• We believe the lie that it’s noble to be the victim.
• The devil wants us to stay on our mat.
• What about the generations that are counting on you to get up off that mat?

“Then Jesus said to him,  Get up! Pick up your mat and walk. At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” John 5:8-9

Friends, my Lord has been stirring me to get up off my mat all year. ARISE is my word I felt him speaking over me for 2018. This weekend just affirmed it again. GET UP! ARISE! There are generations waiting on us to get up off our mats. Whatever has caused you to get down and into the pit, please allow me to encourage you to not wait for someone else to come and pull you out. You CAN DO THIS! Jesus will meet you in the broken! Healing will give you access to places you never would have gone before.

Write this down and remember it:

God’s words to Jesus after being baptized in the Jordan – “You are my son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22

Satan’s words to Jesus following the baptism when being tempted – “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” Luke 4:3

Brothers and Sisters, if we have accepted The Lord as our Savior these words are for us. We are HIS sons and daughters who He is well pleased.  Don’t allow Satan the opportunity to question your identity. YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD!

This song brought me liberation and freedom after hearing this message of truth. Close your eyes and listen to the words. Claim them over your life. Those words that were spoken over me are gone. They will never be spoken from my mouth or thoughts again. I AM A CHILD OF GOD!

I will never forget these beauties and this moment in time. Thank you Jesus!

Heaven Come 2018 – Bethel Conference – May 31 – June 2nd 2018

I cannot think of a better way to have spent Memorial Day Weekend. Ryan and I returned to our hometown of Mt. Pleasant, Texas. This small Northeast Texas town has more than charm and natural beauty for the two of us high school sweethearts…it has roots that helped shape us and form us into the adults we are today. Traveling down memory lane evoked emotions that brought about laughter and even tears, but it mostly brought about a deep sense of gratitude for this faithful community that has poured out love in more ways than we can count.

When we get the opportunity to come into town we like to retrace our steps back to our homes, our elementary school, middle school and high school. It’s amazing how some things have changed and some have remained the exact same. This is the house that I lived in from 4 years of age until I graduated high school. I am so proud to have lived in this house. My parents worked so hard to provide for our family. We can remember washing many cars in that front yard and the countless family football games. You can still see the track our dog, Zach, made running up and down the fence line chasing cars even though it’s been over 15 years since my parents lived there. I drove up our street naming each of our neighbors by name and thanking the good Lord for each one of them. They helped shape me.

Then we drove by our schools. They have definitely changed with outward facelifts, but the halls within are the same. There is even a brand new building that is now the new Middle School that we drove by and were pleasantly surprised to see 2 coaches that we both had in school have their names in their memory on the building. I love seeing them being honored in this way. They both just did their thing and did it well. They loved kids, and we loved them right back. They helped shape me.

Our next stop was really special for my man. Ryan had the opportunity to walk back onto his high school baseball field for the first time since his Senior Year. They have a whole new stadium of seats, but it’s the exact same baseball field where he played 1st base. I had him walk over and stand by 1st base just like old times and visit the dugout too where he waited to bat and cheered on his teammates. We recalled all of his team by name, nicknames too, and smiled. We even reconnected with one of Ryan’s baseball coaches a few weeks back. Coach Jerry Baker was an Honorary Guest at our wedding almost 20 years ago. To say that these boys…now men have helped shape Ryan is an understatement.

I got to spend a lovely breakfast with two very special friends catching up, sharing laughter and remembering the good old days. It’s amazing how even though there has been time apart of not seeing each other we can pick up as though time has stood completely still. Our “Catherine Elizabeth” is named after these two beauties. They will ALWAYS be a part of me no matter what. I am so grateful for their friendship and how we still pray for each other and love each other through the many ups and downs. There are so many others too that I didn’t get the chance to see, but I did take the time to remember them all by name and give thanks for them. They helped shape me.

Our last stop on our visit was our favorite. We never fail to stop by to see our Taylor Brooke Coe. This is when the tears start to flow. When we lost our first daughter, this community that had loved on us all of our lives rallied around us during some of our darkest days. I will never forget the generosity given to us to allow us to bury our daughter at Neville’s Chapel. They donated three plots to us. One for our girl and the other two for us. It’s the most beautiful and peaceful place. When we drove in this is the flag and sign that met us at the entrance. I’m so grateful to live in this beautiful country, to have been raised in a beautiful community with amazing people and to be continuing to do the same for our own children. I can only hope and pray that one day my girls will walk back down their own memory lane and remember it as well as Ryan and me.

May we all REMEMBER and be full of overflowing thankfulness for our many many blessings. When you have time today, take a listen to the song “We ARE” by Kari Jobe. This is WHO WE ARE, so get out there and just do your thing and do it well. You may never know the people you are shaping, but I promise you this you are making a differenece in the lives of others. SHINE ON!

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and OVERFLOWING with THANKFULNESS.” Colossians 2:6-7

We were on an old country road with nothing but green pastures on either side of us heading to College Station, TX to watch our daughter play for a State title.  Ryan leaned in and said, “I really don’t know how I’m going to handle all of this pressure.” I was so glad  he said it because I didn’t know how I was going to handle it either. We had watched countless tennis matches in our day, but none of them seemed to measure up to this.

Earlier that very morning I had studied a passage of scripture I had not ever focused on before, and I could feel God’s intimate whispers encouraging me to BELIEVE. I felt the nudge to share it with Ryan on our drive.

“Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. ‘Where did this man get these things? they asked. ‘What’s this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?’ And they took offense at him.

Jesus said to them, ‘Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.’ He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was AMAZED at their lack of faith.” Mark 6:1-6

I love how my study bible breaks down these verses.

“Jesus was teaching effectively and wisely, but the people of his hometown saw him as only a carpenter. “He’s no better than we are – he’s just a common laborer,” they said. They were offended that others could be impressed by Jesus and follow him.”

“Jesus could have done greater miracles in Nazareth, but he chose not to because of the people’s pride and unbelief. The miracles he did had little effect on the people because they did not accept his message or believe that he was from God. Therefore, Jesus looked elsewhere, seeking those who would respond to his miracles and message.”

After I read these words to my Ryan, I looked at him with tears in my eyes and said, “I don’t want our Jesus to not perform a miracle because of our unbelief.”

Listen guys, our Lord is not equal to who we are. He is so much bigger! We cannot confine him to our space and likeness. I knew that in order for our baby girl to walk away with a State Medal it was going to take a miracle because she would have to rely on HIS STRENGTH to be hers. I had to believe that He would do that for her. He is able to do ALL things, and I witnessed it with my own eyes this very week.

In the semi-finals match Catherine had come to the end of herself. She even verbalized to us on the turn over that she couldn’t do it. They were losing. They were tired. The heat index on the courts was 115 degrees. They had been playing in the heat all day. I could see that she needed Jesus’s help. I silently prayed for HIM to be her strength. “Give her wisdom Lord, help her to see the play. Help her to BELIEVE!” Right after that prayer our girl hit an alley shot winner that began to turn the match around. Every point gained momentum. Her energy began to come alive and she and her partner were amazing to watch. They truly were shining, and He had given them the strength to do it.

They won that match in a 3rd set tie break. The victory was sweet. You can see the tears in her eyes after the win in this picture. They had made it to the finals after an amazing come back from behind WIN! All of us were starting to BELIEVE! Our FAITH was moving the heart of our God to perform a miracle that only He could do. Have you ever had faith to move God’s heart? When we BELIEVE in HIM and HIS abilities to do the impossible, we stir HIS heart to move on our behalf.

What’s stopping you from BELIEVING today? I’m not sure what miracle you are in need of…some of you are in need of something so much bigger than a state medal. Some of you are needing healing from a terminal disease. Some of you are needing healing from a broken relationship. Some of you are in bondage of addiction that has held you in chains for too long and you think that you will never be set free. Let me encourage you today to pray to him for help with your unbelief. Our JESUS is not just a carpenter. He is our SAVIOR and LORD who reigns on high.  Nothing is too difficult for him. He came to set the captives FREE! BELIEVE!

2018 AAAA Girls Doubles State Champions – Georgia Rice and Catherine Coe #gloryup

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Two weeks ago I attended a “Brave Parenting” Conference and this was the verse our speaker, Kelly Newcom, used to start the evening. She was able to grab my attention quick without her even knowing that this was my verse of the year. I love it when The Lord uses His word to draw us in close, and that is exactly what He did that evening with a room full of attentive parents who were ready to learn and be BRAVE.

The statistics I am about to share with you are alarming. It should awaken you to ARISE and take action in protecting your children. Keep in mind the verse above. We must be strong and courageous. This is not the time to grow fearful, afraid or discouraged. This is the time to take this knowledge and allow it to help us better protect our children and help them to grow in character amidst a culture of instant and limitless gratification through the media outlets they hold near and dear to their hearts.

In 2012, just six short years ago, 1% of children under the age of 8 years old owned a cell phone and 23% of children of the ages of 12 to 17 years of age.

Fast forward to 2018 and the numbers are startling. Now, 42% of children under the age of 8 years old have a cell phone and 89% of children 12 to 17 years of age own one. You guys…89%! Let that sink in for a minute.

Since 2012 we have seen a spike in depression in boys that is up 21% and 50% in our girls. Did you know that 5,000 adolescents die by suicide each year? It is the #2 cause of death in teens next to accidental deaths. Since 2007 the suicide rate in our children ages 10 to 14 years of age have doubled. That number astonishes me. Our youngest is 13 years old. Life should not be that hard for our children, dear friends.

Did you know that teens who sleep less than 7 hours per night are 68% more likely to have at least one suicide risk factor? This is huge! We think that Fortnite gaming is innocent so we let them play. Netflixing is the new rage and we are binge watching and missing our sleep in the process. Friends, our bodies need sleep. We were never designed to function with little to no sleep. Our phones are killing us. We have to have boundaries in place to help save and protect our families.

Did you know that sexting is the new 1st base? Teens today think that by sexting they are safe. They aren’t meeting the boy/girl face to face, so they tell themselves that it’s safer to sext than have sex. Did you know that 80% of self-made explicit images are stolen from the original upload location? 82% of sex offenders use social media profiles to gather personal information. They are out there lurking and on the prowl for their next victim.

This is just the first page of notes I took that evening. I want to encourage you to go to amazon and buy the book, Managing Media Creating Character, authored by Kelly Newcom. She is full of wisdom from having gone through a very scary and personal fight to protect one of her own children. She grew a passion for research and study to learn about the pitfalls of media and now shares the knowledge with us today.

I am better prepared today to protect my family from the knowledge I have gained. We have new boundaries in place in our home. Our girls are getting better sleep. We are seeing more of their beautiful faces interacting as a family instead of being closed up in their rooms. The Lord is being faithful to His promise to GO with us wherever we go. Our job is to be STRONG and COURAGEOUS! Don’t be afraid! Technology is not going away. The answer is not to shelter them from it, but to teach them strong character and responsibility with it. You can do this mom and dad! I believe in you! Get busy learning and being BRAVE!!!

It was standing room only at Boerne Middle School North last week for the 7th grade Academic Awards Program. Our family arrived just in time to find a spot along the back wall to cheer on our favorite 7th grader. The program was well underway when the most breath taking moment brought every single person in attendance to their feet applauding and cheering for two very well deserved students, and it all started with one brave young boy who was unashamed to stand.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

It was the part in the program where the teachers were handing out the Outstanding Students of the Year for their classroom. Many of the names that were called were familiar as this had been the students’ third or fourth time to be called up to the stage. Things were going as planned, the same mundane handclaps as the names were called, until one of the boy’s down front in the middle stood to his feet clapping with his hands above his head. He even gave a shout of recognition. My immediate thoughts were it must be his girlfriend…how sweet. No one else stood with him. He stood alone. He took his seat when the next name was called for the same teacher. He immediately stood again with the same shout with clapping above his head in adoration, but this time other peers began to stand and then even more joined them. Soon the adults began standing too. Everyone was to their feet. The boy was not standing for a girlfriend. He was standing for two students with special needs that had not had their names called all night. As the teacher helped the young boy with autism back down the stairs you could see his excitement in his eyes seeing the entire audience standing for him. My eyes filled with tears.

In that moment we were all unified. Looking around the room, no one was concerned about their circumstances that surrounded them. No one was thinking about their political persuasions, their religious beliefs or lack thereof. No one cared about the color of their skin. In fact no one was thinking of themselves, but rather focusing on those two precious students that deserved to be cheered on.

When we encourage each other there is hope. When we encourage each other there is love. When we encourage each other life is beautiful. Oh sweet friends, may we encourage one another.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25

After we got home that evening, I asked my daughter about the boy who stood in applause. I wanted to know who he was, and I also wanted her to know that his bravery to stand started a movement of love. It was powerful. She looked at me with her beautiful green eyes and said, “Mom, that boy was the teacher’s son.” You guys, tears swelled again. This boy knew his momma’s heart. He watched her day in and day out pour out her love to these very special students. He, himself, had fallen in love with them by watching his momma do what she does best, LOVE. This is how love never fails. Our babies are watching us. They are learning from us in how to treat others. What are you teaching your children? It’s not so much in what we say, but in what we do. I hope this inspires you as much it did me. I will never forget this evening. It was not because of the academic award my daughter and others received, but because of this one boy who stood. Be the one to STAND! Love well sweet friends. #arise #go #stand #gloryup

I have been walking very closely with someone I love who has a decision to make. I love how diligent they are being to the process. I know you have been there too. You come to the fork in the road and you have to decide to turn right or left. You often times find yourself fearful in deciding because you don’t want to make the wrong decision. This fear can paralyze you. Instead of moving forward you remain right where you are. Determining God’s will or desire (and His will is always consistent with His character) is not a one and done determination. It’s a process. It usually takes time and patience on our part. Here are 5 steps to consider.

1.​ Pray.
Growing our prayer life is key to determining God’s will for us. Spending time with Him in prayer and in His Word draws us closer to His heart. It helps us to know His voice. To sense His presence and know when He is at work around us.

2.​ Place everything before Him.
Evaluate your choices. As you seek whether what you are wanting to do/say lines up with God’s will and who He is, lay everything before Him. Make a list of pros and cons. Examine your gifts, talents, time commitments, values, passions. Be so very honest about yourself and with God. He knows your heart anyway.  Be honest about your fears, doubts, temptations.

3.​ Go to the Word.
The best way to ensure we remain on the path that leads to abundant life … to walk in God’s will and His ways … is to read and memorize Scripture. This is critical. Sometimes God’s Word will give a specific answer. But, oftentimes, it doesn’t. God will not give specific instruction but rather lay before you biblical principles to apply to your circumstances. It’s imperative that as you pray, what you choose to do/say lines up with the Word of God. God will never ever ask you or lead you to do anything that conflicts with His Word.

4. Seek Godly counsel.
Notice I said godly counsel. Seek counsel from a friend or mentor who is steeped in the Word and who has a deep prayer life. Someone you trust and know will truly pray for you and speak honestly to you. Don’t look to a person or people you call upon to give you THE answer. Rather, ask them to seek God on YOUR behalf. To listen to God FOR you. God will often use other people to confirm what we are hearing. And, be humble and wise, willing to receive the hard answer. If it’s someone you trust, trust what you hear. Is what you are considering going to conflict with their counsel? That is significant, so prayerfully mull that over.

5.​ Peace of God reigns in your heart.
Some of the wisest words I’ve ever received were these: “Remain … be still … hold your tongue… unless you feel called out, led or moved by God.” It’s only when you know that calling out, leading or moving is from God that peace will come. When we lack peace. When anxiety gains a foothold. When we feel overwhelmed. When our soul remains in a place of unrest. THAT is clear evidence we are NOT walking in God’s will or in alignment with His character. It’s only in walking in wholehearted devotion to Jesus that life, and the circumstances and choices we have to make, will truly make sense. We will walk out the other side of each decision with PEACE, JOY, CONFIDENCE and ANTICIPATION.

God knows the plans He has for us. If
we take a misstep, we can trust Him to
lead us back on the right track. We just
need to stick with Him through it. Proverbs 16:9 is a wonderful verse for
us. “In their hearts humans plan their
course,but the Lord establishes
their steps.” (NIV)

Here’s to taking the next step sweet friends! Don’t be afraid! He has you and will not let go of you. Trust Him! Pray. Seek. Knock. The door will be opened for you! He is a GOOD GOOD FATHER!  #arise #go #trust #followhim

Oh the joys of sweet victory! We were all so happy for all of our players. There were hugs, smiles and pure JOY. The Coaches were happy, the parents were happy and the players could not hold back their excitement. It was an amazing moment for all. Oh how I wished the moment did not have to end. I loved seeing our girl so happy. It was time to gather her bags and get them in the car to leave. She was starving after putting all of her energy in the game, so we asked her where she wanted to go eat. We told her she could pick anywhere…anything she wanted. Her response did not surprise us. Chick-fil-A is always the winner when it comes to our girls.

We found our way to the nearest Chick-fil-A. The line, as always, was out the door. There was hardly a table to be found. We managed to squeeze in a booth to enjoy the food and good conversation. There was a sweet lady that came up to us to ask what the medal was for around our daughter’s neck. We told her and she congratulated us. A complete stranger took notice and rejoiced with us. So sweet. We were winding things up and getting ready for the long trip ahead of us, so I wanted to change into some comfortable clothes. I got the keys to the car and headed out to grab them. After making a visit to the bathroom to change I returned to find my family. There was some commotion in a booth just a couple down from where we were sitting. The entire restaurant had come to a stand still. All eyes were on this family.

It was a five year old boy who was down on the ground being held by his mother while his dad communicated quickly to the workers that they needed help. Everyone rallied for them. The Chick-fil-A Employees were amazing. One bent down to help the mom hold her boy up. He had turned blue. He was not breathing. We were uncertain of what had happened. We thought he was choking until we heard the dad tell 911 dispatchers that they had just left the ER for complications with seizures. The mom was trying desperately to get her son to respond to her. It was a moment I will never forget. I looked up at my husband and daughter and told them we needed to pray. We did. Right there in the middle of the restaurant we stopped and prayed. We wanted to do more, but we didn’t know what or how. I looked into the eyes of my oldest daughter who had just celebrated such a victory who had now been overcome with tears. In that moment, I had an overwhelming compassion for those precious parents, and I wanted them to know. The booth next to them was open, so I slid in and rubbed the mom’s back as she wiped her tears. I told her we are praying for you. She looked up at me and told me thank you. The little boy’s name was Andy, and he had the most beautiful brown eyes. He regained consciousness but was unaware of what was happening. Andy’s dad was strong. He told him that it was okay to be scared, and they were going to get him help.

The paramedics arrived on the scene and quickly took over. The traffic outside was so great they didn’t have time to bring in a stretcher. One of the Paramedics took Andy into his arms and carried him out to the ambulance. We knew that they had things under control, so we headed to the car. Our rejoicing had diminished and we were somber. We wanted Andy to be okay.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:15-17

These verses were read over the XM radio just a few miles after we left the restaurant. They permeated my ears. I had just experienced what those words mean up close and personal. A complete stranger came up to congratulate us. She was rejoicing with us. A complete family was in distress and the entire restaurant stopped to help.

In a world that seems to be in turmoil and complete chaos, there are still those who love and care for others. I love what the footnote of my bible reads about these verses. It says, “God calls us to real and sincere love that goes far beyond pretense and politeness. Sincere love requires concentration and effort. It means helping others become better people. It demands our time, money, and personal involvement. No individual has the capacity to express love to a whole community, but the body of Christ in your town does. Look for people who need your love, and look for ways you and your fellow believers can love your community for Christ.”

I hope this inspires you to look for people to rejoice with this week, and look for people that are mourning. We can bring real love to one another and make this world a better place. If you pray, will you add Andy and his parents to your prayers. I can’t seem to get them off of my heart and mind. I believe The Lord has them in His most capable hands just as He has you and me.  Be blessed as you GO this week! #arise #go #love #gloryup

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. What does that mean? According to Wikipedia, it is an English language-idiom that refers to the notion that a complex idea can be conveyed with just a single still image or that an image of a subject conveys its meaning or essence more effectively than a description does.

This picture was taken a little over a month ago by one of our daughter’s who was trying to capture the essence of coffee art but instead captured her parents laughter. She sent it to me for me to save in my camera roll with a text that read this was her favorite picture of us. I fell in love with it too. Who doesn’t love moments of pure joy and laughter? I wish I could tell you that this was us always. I wish I could tell you that I always choose JOY and laughter in this precious life I have been given. I wish I could find a way to capture our moments of living our very best life and make them last. Don’t you? What if I told you that I learned, just yesterday, the secret in making this a reality by hearing the truth of God’s word. Would you believe me?

“So do NOT be AFRAID of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight, what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do NOT be AFRAID of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So DO NOT be AFRAID; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:26-31

Jesus tells us in these words DO NOT BE AFRAID! Three times within the same paragraph the words are repeated…Do NOT BE AFRAID! Fear cripples us. Fear robs us of our JOY and laughter. We can live victoriously instead of as a victim when we have NO FEAR! I love how he speaks to us in the dark, in our quiet places where it is just the two of us. Did you know that when He whispers in our ears it was meant to be proclaimed to the world? He tells us to proclaim it to the roofs. SHOUT it out so all can hear…we have nothing to be afraid of because we have a God that loves us and has already won the battle.

Look at the two sparrows. They are sold for next to nothing. A penny was a day’s wages back in Jesus’s day. If you did the math today it would be roughly $3 and change to purchase two sparrows for food. We spend more than that on our coffee. Yet he goes on to tell us that not one of them will die apart from the will of the Father. He is SOVEREIGN and reigning over all.  We are worth MORE than many sparrows. He’s got us. We can trust Him.

As I was listening to these words of truth being spoken from our Pastor yesterday I could feel myself coming alive again. He spoke directly to the mom’s in telling us that some of us are living in high anxiety over our children and our spouse’s. YES! I am! I don’t want anything to happen to them. I want to protect them and keep them safe from this mean world. That’s a worthy thing to desire, but we are not in control. Our God is! Give your worries over to him. Let go of the fear that is robbing you of your JOY and laughter. God the Christ is going to save us to the uttermost. The Christ-follower will be vindicated. This is GOOD NEWS. This is how we can live VICTORIOUSLY even when our circumstances tell us differently.

To all of YOU beautiful women…we can laugh at the future because it is secure. Hold your head high. Walk in confidence. Release your worries over to our Heavenly Father and LIVE free of FEAR! We are clothed in STRENGTH and DIGNITY. We CAN LAUGH WITHOUT FEAR of the future. This is our truth because of JESUS! His promises are true. #arise #donotfear #laugh #live #Jesus #shoutittotheroofs

This sweet girl and her love for the game continue to amaze me. There doesn’t seem to be anything, pain included, that can make her stop playing. She hesitated in telling us that her foot was hurting for a couple of days. By the time she spoke up her inner arch on her left foot was purple and blue. As her mom, and a woman that does not like pain, I really cannot understand. Even after she told us she insisted that she was fine and didn’t need to go to the doctor. Luckily, we didn’t listen to her reasoning, and we took her in to be checked out.

It’s not broken…Praise The LORD! She has a bone spur, from a previous injury that we didn’t know existed, that is causing swelling, irritation and pain to her foot. When the doctor gave her the news that she would need to wear a boot and rest the first thing out of her mouth was, “Does this mean I can’t play this weekend?” Surprisingly, the doctor told her as long as she can bear through the pain she is allowed to take the boot off to play her sport and then put it back on. This is why she has a smile on her face in her picture…well that and Smoothie King, her new favorite.

Here’s what this strong-willed child of mine taught me this week… JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE PAIN DOESN’T MEAN YOU STOP LOVING! You press in! You pray! You LOVE! You keep going!

“Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me – so that I would not become arrogant. I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10

Paul understood pain. He experienced it physically and emotionally. He asked for it to go away. There was a purpose in the pain remaining. It was to keep him from becoming arrogant, to keep him dependent on His Lord to be his strength. I love The Lord’s reply to Paul. It’s the same for you and me…His grace is enough! His power is made perfect in our weakness. When we are weak, our God is STRONG therefore we are strong because he is in us. We can do hard things. We can keep going even when it hurts. We can forgive. We can love. We can press on towards the goal.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and Sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14

Friends, I don’t know about you but those words bring me encouragement and instruction to follow. When we forget what is behind us and strain forward to what is ahead of us we will keep moving forward…one step in front of the other. Our girl’s love for the game of a sport has her heart passionate to keep fighting through the pain. That’s amazing, but what’s even more amazing is when we keep our eyes on the true prize of life, JESUS CHRIST, and we fight through our trials and pain knowing that we will WIN the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.

My word of the year keeps surfacing as a reminder from The Lord to do what He has asked of me. It’s not subtle at all. Every time I hear it or see it written I am immediately drawn in to pay attention. I guess I should not have been surprised that on Easter Sunday, surrounded by my precious family, The Lord would use this simple word to speak again. This time…even louder and bolder than ever before.

“‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. ‘Now ARISE and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'” Acts 26:15-18

These are Jesus’s words spoken to Saul who was converted to Paul on the road to Damascus. In this account in Acts, Paul is actually giving his testimony to King Herod Agrippa who has Paul in chains for being steadfast and true to his calling as a follower of Christ. Paul tells him how he too was convinced that he ought to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth…and he did just that by putting many of the saints in prison and put to death. As he continued to travel in his obsession to fight against those preaching about Jesus, he was blinded by a light from heaven. The bible tells us it was brighter than the sun. He and his companions fell to the ground and he heard a voice in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?

Can you imagine being Saul? You have gone around as a Pharisee, opposing the name of Jesus, when you are blinded and spoken to by Christ himself with the convicting question of WHY? Saul goes on to ask, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The punctuation of this sentence indicates that he asked the question as a rhetorical…he already knew the answer. Who are you. Lord?

The answer would come with a calling on his life! ARISE  and stand on your feet. Jesus promises him that he will rescue him from his own people. He tells him he will send Paul to them to open THEIR EYES and turn them from darkness to light…from Satan to God…so that they may receive forgiveness of sins…and a place, Heaven!

Friends, listen, the story of Easter is not just a story and a day on the calendar to celebrate and forget. There is a calling on our lives as his followers, just like Paul was given. Can you hear him whisper to you…ARISE and stand on your feet! Go and help open the eyes of the lost and broken. Help them to turn from the darkness to the light. Help them to turn from Satan to God…so that they may receive forgiveness and join those that have been sanctified by Christ in Heaven.

Tears! That’s the call on our lives! To help the lost to be found. To tend to God’s sheep. We are all His children, and he wants all of us to make it home to him. I get overwhelmed when I think that He can use a wretch like me, someone that has persecuted him, just like Paul. I have seen him rescue me over and over…more times than I deserve. He keeps restoring me and bringing me back to him. He is so faithful and true. Because of HIS faithfulness it keeps me marching on to spread the good news. I will ARISE and GO! I will share the light of His truth to help those have eyes to see. Will you join me?

This was my favorite worship song from our Easter service. I hope you enjoy taking a listen and hearing the words of truth. Be blessed as you ARISE AND GO!