Run The Race

Reading: Colossians 3:15-25 Prayer: Lord, give us wisdom and insight so that we may have a humble confidence in following You even if it seems weird or illogical. Daily Challenge: What, if anything, are you pursuing/doing in your life simply because it seems logical even if you routinely have an internal wrestling? How do you determine if the internal wrestling is something you need to continue pursuing OR is it Him stirring you to pursue something different? In the past few weeks, the state of Oklahoma announced massive budget shortfalls that greatly impact departments serving the mental health community. Though it is uncertain at this point how deep the cuts will go, there is a strong likelihood it will impact my husband's employment in some way. Therefore, when a previous employer encouraged me to apply for an open position, it seemed to Ron and I that this opportunity may be the "rescue boat" sent from God to keep us from financial hardship! Yay God! Well, ...

Reading: John 17 Prayer: Father, teach us what it truly means to be one with You and one with each other. Daily Challenge: What action can you take today, whether a tiny step or a huge leap, to promote Oneness with "The Church" in your life? A s the events of Charlottesville, VA unfolded this past weekend, our country was rocked by horrifying, extreme racism in plain sight. The white supremacists, Neo-Nazis, and KKK are fueled by self-pride and hatred toward anyone who looks different than them. Anyone opposing this group can seem heroic - and many are, but the most extreme opposing groups seem to engage in actions that fuel more hatred. So what should be done? Church, lets open our eyes and see the role and hope we have in this ugly state of affairs. Are we awake now? "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by...

Reading: Ruth 4 Prayer: Father, transform us - even in our brokenness. Help us to have a glimpse of Your faithfulness, especially at times when it seems everything is falling apart. Daily Challenge: Consider a time when you selflessly served in a difficult situation. Did you experience the blessings? If not, what may be a delayed/unknown result or blessing? T oday is Mother's Day. I have two amazing children in my home, and I have two amazing children that reside in heaven along with my own mother. This reality always leaves Mother's Day feeling a little "off". I found myself engulfed in a variety of roles involving parents and parenting this week... I have been deeply involved in caring for some older friends who were never able to have children of their own, but they have, for years loved on us as if we were indeed born to them. Hyun has been sick all week and NOT sleeping... Mommy duties were in high demand. My Dad and I, who are very ...

Reading:  Psalm 46 Prayer: Lord, please teach us what it means to be still and truly know that You are God - a God that is doing things that we can surely never accomplish on our own. Daily Challenge: What, if anything, is a constant frustration and eats up your time? Consider whether you need to make changes to alleviate the issue, or, if not, then consider how God might be working in the situation. "Grrr.... I have things to do," I grumble in my head. Our 3 year old, recently adopted son, Hyun, fell asleep at a strange time, and he is on the couch rather than the bed.  When I go to move him off the couch, he begins screaming and crying as if he is having a nightmare, so rather than move him, I just lean back on the couch and lay him on my chest. Sounds nice, doesn't it?  I typically frantically work during nap time to get things checked off my "to-do" list. I can see our clock from where I sit... Tick-tock Tick-tock The clock mov...

Reading: Acts 4:1-31  Prayer: Lord, help us to speak boldly of all You've done!  Daily Challenge: See end of devotion ----------------------------------------------------------- My Grandma Doris was a short, spunky woman who could light up a room with her sweet spirit and amazing stories.  She and my grandfather lived in Amarillo, TX where I grew up, but they also owned a small ranch in a tiny South TX town where she had been raised.  This small, one-horse town, doesn’t seem to offer much at first glance - a single post office, some small hills, a few trees and no industry, but traversing the town with my grandmother would quickly change the spirit of any passerby.  She had a story to tell, a story of how she had run up that tree at a young age which saved her from a wild animal, how she had painted that fence post with a family friend, or the open field in which her father taught her lessons during the great depression.  Some stories were fu...

Reading: 1 Peter 5:6-11 Prayer: Lord, change is so inevitable in this life. Help us to do it with joy, peace and grace while knowing that You are faithful. Mold and shape our attitudes and insights. Daily Challenge: Which of your attitudes hinder joy-filled change? Which promote it? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Transitioning from "career woman" to something that has its own acronym - SAHM (stay at home mom) has its definite challenges.  Rarely do changes come one at a time for any family - in the last 6 months we have experienced many big changes - a newly adopted 3 year old, father moving here from out of state, change in ministry, etc. I would like to share some practical ideas regarding joy-filled transitions for families - some of these things we did intentionally, some we stumbled into, and others we didn't do, but wished we had! Wake Up Early (Yes...Even Earlier!) “In the morning, O Lord, You will hear ...

Reading: Genesis 50:12-21  Prayer: Lord, stir our hearts for what stirs Yours. Restore the relationships we have damaged, and teach us to be leaders of reconciliation. Daily Challenge: What prejudices are in your heart? ----------------------------------------------------------- Our house is almost constantly filled with a neighborhood of boys.  It is the type of chaos that wonderful childhood memories are made of... They have created the "Club of Fun" in which there are scheduled daily activities that include playing board games, light saber fights, Nerf gun wars, etc.  It's pretty obvious that they don't stick to their scheduled events as one crazy activity leads to another. It creates a hustle and bustle that I am thankful for, but there are some realities of it that can be a bit daunting.  There are a few boys in particular that are the "bulls in the china closet" - their feet stink (seriously... it is pretty bad), the mess they leave behind in...

Reading: Romans 8:14-25 Prayer: Lord, help us to understand the terms of our adoption into Your family... may we receive freedom from any fears that are hindering us, and learn to boldly rely on You instead. Daily Challenge: If you are an heir to Christ, what do you inherit? Are there any words you need to express to Him? -----------------------------------------------------------       M ost of you know our story – Almost 3 months ago, we brought home our son whom we adopted from South Korea.   What an amazing, crazy adventure it was to go through the adoption process, and, WOW! what an experience it has been since bringing him home.   The first pictures we received of Hyun he was only 5 months old.   Once we signed the papers, he was 9 months old, and at that point we thought it would be 4-6months longer before we were able to bring him home.   Due to several changes in Korean law, that changed significantly – and it ended up being more tha...

Reading: Joshua 10:1-15 Prayer: Lord, we have no strength or wisdom apart from You. Help us to accomplish more than we ever dreamed while bringing all glory to You.    Daily Challenge: What, if anything, stirs inside you, but you are hesitant to ask God about it because it seems ridiculous? Will you pray about it today? ----------------------------------------------------------- The five kings of the Amorites, rulers over major cities in the southern mountains, band together to fight against Gibeon (a large group that had made peace with Israel) in hopes of also defeating Israel.  When the Israelite came to the defense of the Gibeons, the Lord declared to Joshua (the leader of the Israelites), "Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands, not one of them shall stand before you." Joshua 10:8 These words allowed Joshua to fiercely pursue the Amorites and to pray an extremely audacious prayer while they were fighting; he said, "...O sun, stan...

Reading: Luke 9:23-25; Luke 23:13-26 Prayer: Lord, the crosses we bear at times just seem like too much. Provide us the hope and strength necessary today to walk through whatever challenge is before us. Thank You for Your example of how to bear such hardship and that we do NOT have to carry the burden alone. Daily Challenge: Make a list of what angers, saddens or hurts you regarding the cross you are carrying. Ask a friend to pray with you for the strength and endurance to carry on and to somehow find purpose and joy in your circumstance.  ----------------------------------------------------------------------- J esus is of course the central character and focus of the Easter story, but I find that each Easter season, with each varying season of my life, I become intimately connected with other characters within the crucifixion story.  This year it was Simon of Cyrene. I almost didn't write about this because my words seem so selfish - but as I have watche...

For me, one of the most amazing stories in the Bible is where the angel comes to tell Mary she will become the mother of Jesus - Son of God.  After gaining some clarification from the angel, she said, "... may it be done to me according to your word."  I don't think she could possibly fully grasp at that moment all that being the mother of God's son would entail, but I do believe she knew it was going to change her life forever - and it wouldn't be easy. Sometimes it is difficult to step into a role that we know will be time consuming, and may require more of our heart than we feel capable of giving.  I want to share a story about a person in my life that was ready to accept that role, and it has, in turn, encouraged me deeply in my faith walk with God.  That person is Pam. On December 21, 2011 - many of you know my story... Being very pregnant, I awoke early knowing something wasn't right with the baby.  I had some Bible and prayer time before waking my h...

Dear Father: I can’t imagine what it has been like to have adopted me as you have.  I remember the day you adopted me… I was only 9 years old.  Tears filled my eyes.  It was amazing – You chose me! It only took a year or so before the “new” wore off.  Difficulties came my way, and for some reason, I blamed you.  I’m sorry I ran away at such a young age - how horrifying.  I cringe to think that you know all the things I did while I was away.  I’m so sorry, Father – You must have been crushed. Over and over I ran away, but you always brought me back.  I remember arguing with you but never feeling condemned.  You were firm but full of grace.  It seems that my rebelliousness through the years has NEVER caused you to waiver. The river of tears seemed never ending; I felt so lost.  There were countless sleepless nights – You never left my side, and you cried tears with me.  Seems so strange to me now that you sh...