Mother’s Day: The Mom of a Savior
The moment He took His first breath, I became His mother. And I celebrated my first mother’s day.
Overjoyed with my child. My baby boy.
A newborn placed in my arms. My life forever altered.
Swaddled by cloths, though adorned with royal titles.
Wonderful. Counselor. Prince of Peace. Holy King. Immanuel (God now with me). The Ancient of Days.
Barely minutes old and seemingly fragile. But this baby embodied the fullness of the Godhead.
Power demonstrated years later when He cast out evil spirits and raised the dead.
As I gazed intently at Him, the goodness and greatness of God spilled out.
Mother’s Day for a New Mom
I studied every feature.
His eyes. They gazed into the hearts of men. I watched His mouth as He yawned and cried. Life-giving words were later spoken by Him. Words commanding even the winds and waves to obey.
I laid my hand on His chest. The rise and fall of breaths ladened with grace. A strong heartbeat surfaced. But the day arrived when His heart—broken and betrayed—offered forgiveness.
May 10, 2018 at 8:30 am | Uncategorized
Front Row Seats for Heaven on Earth
Heaven on earth? Really, Karen?
Is there even such a thing?
Why, yes. Yes, there is! And we have access to front-row-seat tickets.
Yet, I’m not talking about things or situations we attribute to the phrase, “It was heaven on earth.” Such as food, trips, or any experience we feel was heaven-like.
We are so limited in what we imagine for heaven. It’s much bigger and carries more awe than we realize.
A New Heaven and Earth
But the new heaven and earth will one day replace this fallen world we live in.
Look at how it’s all described in Revelation 21:
“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes.
There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true’” (Verses 1-5, NIV).
How wonderful this is what we have to look forward to. Still, in the present, there’s moments of heaven touching earth and touching our lives.
Moments of Heaven Touching Earth
May 3, 2018 at 8:30 am | Uncategorized
Take a Stand for Christ or Take a Seat in the Stands
“Once you start listening to people in the stands, you will soon be sitting with them.” ~ Joe Kuharich, head football coach, college/national leagues.
The same is true in life.
We choose to either sit in the stands or take a stand for something.
Something that matters. Like Christ, heaven, eternal life, and spiritual beliefs that line up with God’s truth.
The Free Dictionary describes take a stand. “Adopt a firm position about an issue.”
Whether school, work, home, social events, government, or online. We stand up for what we believe in.
Four ways to take a stand for Christ.
1) Listen to the Lord to continue in His playbook.
April 26, 2018 at 8:30 am | Uncategorized
Why I Never Want to Get Over Jesus Christ
Maybe there are things in life you hope to get over. Me too. But, Jesus Christ?
First, let’s take a look at other things and people.
We tell others to “Get over it!” And we say it about someone or our circumstances, “I’m over it!”
Get Over It
Like in these get-over-it scenarios:
* We upset our spouse.
* A co-worker desired to complete a task in a different way than us.
* A parent puts unreachable expectations on us.
And in these I-am-over-it examples:
* Someone in our life is a repeat offender.
* We try for a promotion at work multiple times.
* A family member creates drama time and time again.
Sure, we eventually get over people injuring us and drama and not getting a promotion. But humans are not saviors.
You see, during my husband’s sermon on Easter, he made a statement that really stuck with me.
Sometimes we just get over being saved.
But how? How is it possible to get over being rescued by Jesus Christ?
Getting Over Jesus Christ
April 19, 2018 at 8:30 am | Uncategorized
Believing in Karma or Jesus: A Man Upstairs or God
Is believing in karma and sending a letter to twelve people, the way to unlock a secret code of blessings from the man upstairs?
Much to my dismay, I receive chain letters by email or on social media and Messenger. Each written from a promise of believing. If I believe in karma, then something good will happen today to make me happy. Angels watch over me. Or, the man upstairs blesses me.
But, to seal the deal, I must forward the message to a specified number of friends including the sender. And posting as my status on social media? Even better.
Still further, for the declaration to really happen, I need to act fast, within minutes. And this, Thou shalt not break the chain.
I mean, who knows what “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day” might take place if I break the chain. Y’all, call 911 because I break the chain!
Believing in Chain Letters or God’s Letter
Merriam-Webster explains karma, “The force created by a person’s actions that some people believe causes good or bad things to happen to that person.” Yet, I’m not some people or that person.
I enjoyed the Star Wars theme, “the force be with you.” Yet the force is fictional. Herein lies the deception of karma. It’s purely philosophical and not founded on fact.
I don’t believe in good and bad karma. But I do believe in a good and Holy God.
April 12, 2018 at 8:30 am | Uncategorized
The Shocking Amount of Blessings from a Good God
“Blessings!”
Lately, I’ve formed a word-habit in my online replies. I throw out the word over and over again.
Blessings! Thanks and blessings! I pray blessings over your ministry. Blessings to you and your family! Happy Birthday and blessings!
See what I mean? I quite overuse the word.
But do I realize what’s behind the well wishes? And do I give thanksgiving for my blessings?
Count Your Blessings
We’ve heard it said to count our blessings. But if we look at the shocking amount of blessings God extends to us, they are hard to number.
When we consider the shocking amount of ways God #blesses us, it's difficult to really count or name each one. #Godisgood Share on XOf course, we all count ourselves blessed with family and friends. Also, blessed in how God provides for our daily needs of food, shelter, the jobs we hold, etc.
As a pastor’s wife and believer, I’m blessed by the local church in how God uses both ministers and members to build us up in the faith. Perhaps we ought to name this our spiritual M&M’s.
And who’s not giving thanks these days for health? I pray to never take a healthy body for granted. Or, the physical well-being of my spouse, children, and grandson.
But there are times we forget, even as Christ-followers, and we need reminding of the vast blessings from a gracious God. Too numerous to even count. How do I know?
Blessings from a Generous God
April 5, 2018 at 8:30 am | Uncategorized
Go Big or Go Home This Easter
Going big to celebrate holidays and special occasions brings me joy. Whether reindeer, flags, turkeys, balloons, party hats, fireworks, paper hearts, pumpkins, or costumes; I say go big.
So why not for Easter? Bunnies, bright-colored eggs, baskets, and assorted candies make me smile.
Every year, we go big in my family. Here’s how.
Go Big with Lunch
Two entrées highlight the meal; roast beef and chicken casserole. Also, the Friday’s Easter menu lists these side-items at no additional charge: gravy, mashed potatoes, rolls, macaroni and cheese, peas, and the cream corn my daughter makes along with our featured dessert of the day.
We take our seats at the table. And a feast fit for a king lays before us. But we never disappoint. Second helpings become the sport of the day.
Go Big With Baskets
I keep one tradition in place. Kids, little or grown, human or pet, receive an Easter basket. Our adult son and daughter, son-in-law, two-year-old grandson, and our four-legged fury kids.
Baskets spill over with sweet delights and fun toys or gadgets. A competition of paddle ball, parachute men, or magnetic yo-yo emerges with the grown kids.
You see, each “kid” gets a basket. There’s no boundaries or limitations; not age or gender or bloodline. Both my son and son-in-law meet the same eligibility requirements.
March 29, 2018 at 9:18 am | Uncategorized
I Wrote the Blog Post About Us Forgetting God
Oh, I forgot.
Please tell me I’m not the only person struck with the disease of forgetting.
Do you ever forget…
…to call a friend?
…an important meeting?
…to pay a bill?
…where you put the car keys?
…details that happened yesterday, last week, or last year?
I hope you answered yes to at least one.
People Forgetting Us
Or, like me, have you ever wondered if a friend forgot about you? She seems to talk with other friends and they go to dinner together. But she hasn’t called you in ages. You never talk unless you reach out to her.
And here’s a big one. Have you ever felt like God has forgotten you? If you’re nodding, me too. Thoughts such as…
God has forgotten me. He seems to work on behalf of others. Me? I continue waiting for Him to move in my life.
No matter how we feel, thinking God forgets us is a lie from the enemy. A false belief a few people in the Bible also succumbed to (see Psalm 42:9; 77:9).
No matter what we feel or think, #God never forgets about us. #blog Share on XGod Forgetting One Thing
God never forgets us. When it comes to His children, God only forgets one thing. We find it in Isaiah 43:25:
March 22, 2018 at 9:34 am | Uncategorized
3 Ways to Never Miss Out on Ta-Da Moments
Ta-Da!
It rolled off my tongue like a magician who just performed a feat.
And it amused the only audience member, my husband. But this fanfare moment out-shined the last attempt at Ta-Da when everything went amiss.
The epic fail occurred after I pulled the hot iron skillet out of the oven. To display the southern goodness, I proceeded to execute the flip, turning the skillet upside down onto a plate. Good ole’ buttermilk cornbread ready for slicing and eating.
Yet, instead of letting go, the cornbread stuck. I loosened the edges with a knife and tried again. No, stubbornness made up its mind and never budged.
So, I sliced and dug, leaving most of the outer crust behind. I made a pact that day. The next execution would be a Ta-Da one.
Spraying non-stick cooking oil until I coughed from the fumes. Then I slathered shortening on as insurance. Allowing the oil to reach a high temp in the oven before pouring the batter in to bake.
Flip and presto. A glorious Ta-Da moment. Cornbread released and onto the serving plate. Sweet victory! I wanted to take a bow.
But Ta-Da announcements are not just for magicians or cornbread makers.
Here’s 3 ways to never miss out on Ta-Da moments:
1) Look for Whoa! moments in the daily grind.
March 15, 2018 at 9:00 am | Uncategorized
Make a Wish: Revealing My Top 7 Wishes in Life
Go ahead…make a wish. Because we all love wishes.
Whether for a birthday or the gift of a wish-making moment, there’s a glorious thing about wishes.
You can wish for anything.
Wishes I Dared to Dream
And anything means anything, you know.
So, it’s exactly the kind of stuff I dared to dream on the hunch that maybe a few of my “anythings” might make it to reality.
Some came true.
But others fizzled as quick as I blew out the candles.
I made wishes running the spectrum of valiant and noble to downright self-centered and princess-ish. Wishes I patiently waited on. And the ones I threw a childish tantrum over.
Yet, deep in the depths of my soul, this girl’s always been a dreamer—wishing for the subtle pleasures of life and big ole’ ginormous things only God can pull off.
Wishing for big ole’ ginormous things only God can pull off. #God #blog Share on XLooking back, I see the Lord’s tender mercies in my top wishes. In case you didn’t know, God’s the biggest dreamer of all. He dreams for each of us.
God’s the biggest dreamer of all. He #dreams for each of us. #God Share on XSo, me and God, we dream together.
Countdown of My Top 7 Wishes
7. The love of my father.
March 8, 2018 at 8:30 am | Uncategorized