Have you ever felt God called you to do something - yet no one else supported or understood that calling? Have you ever been told by someone close to you that they felt God was calling them to do something... and you had a hard time with the direction they were being led in?

God doesn't always work in neatly tied-up packages. Other people are often affected by the choices and decisions that His people feel He is telling them to take and make on His behalf. It can be stretching and it can emotionally be frustrating and painful at times.

I find myself in one of these situations. And the first thing that comes to my heart and mind is - "How can I not support someone who clearly feels God calling them and directing them?" The second thing that comes to my mind is - fear! Fear for them, and fear for myself thinking of the impact and transitions that will come once those choices and decisions are set into motion.

In my humanness, I wish I had easier answers sometimes. I wish that I didn't have to face so many hurdles or go through so many hurtful battles. I wish that life would be just a bit easier on my heart.

But I look back and see how - in hindsight - so much of what I've already been through has been used by God and for God. God has always been faithful to me. He has never let me down and He has never let me go. Things haven't always been easy - at times, they have been downright difficult. But God was there with me when I reached the other side of those times. He never just "dropped" me in the middle of them.

I know that when God is calling someone to be used by Him in ministry - that there will always be growth involved. It's not always by the person being used, but sometimes by the people around that person. The people who love and care for them and who are being pulled outside of their comfort zones whether they asked for it or not... simply because of their close relationship with God's chosen person at that point in time.

If we are put in that situation, we need to ask Him for the strength and the insight to be able to learn and grow. We need to be open to what it is that God intends on teaching us. We need to be steadfast in our love for the person He is using - and we need to be moldeable. We need to be ready to sacrifice our desires and our plans if God asks us to. Yes, it may hurt. Yes, it may be uncomfortable. It may REALLY be hard for us.


But it will be worth it.


For God's calling and His timing is always perfect. And being in His service is always worth the cost.


Maybe that knowledge can hold us together through the process.

I have been contemplative lately. I've just been thinking about where I am in life - where my family is in life - where we are headed - and where I want us to head. And God's been speaking to my heart about giving Him the control of things that I hold so tightly in my own hands.

I read in a devotional yesterday morning that if we ever want to move forward in God's Will, we must allow Him to take us outside of our comfort zones. And that's really tough to do at times! Because we can grip and hold on so fiercely to those comfort zones! Maybe a comfort zone for you is your friendships and God wants to move your family away. Maybe your comfort zone is being able to schedule your day just "so" and have it go the way you want it to and God wants to fill up your schedule to a level that you are just not used to. Maybe your comfort zone is having your children go to a Christian school and God is moving your family to put them in public school.

Whatever our comfort zones are, it can be really hard to "transition" into new unchartered territories, especially when they scare you.

I was having a talk with God in my car today and I was telling Him of some of my fears, through the conversation, God showed me how my fears were based on putting my security and faith in situations, or people - instead of putting my security and faith in HIM.

God never intended us to live comfortable, safe lives. He wants us to be a light to the world. Sometimes to be a light - that means treading out into darker waters. Sure, it's scarey! But I've learned that it's safer to be in darker waters with God on my side, than in the shallow waters all on my own without God working with and FOR me.

I don't have this "comfort" zone thing all worked out. I struggle with it and fight against it, just like most people do. But God is teaching me to be more workeable and open-minded about allowing Him to take me to places that I otherwise wouldn't think of going. And I want Him to be pleased with me. So I may be nervous, or scared - but if He asks me or my family to leave our comfort zones - then I plan on closing my eyes, taking a step forward, and holding His hand every step of the way.

And I know it won't ever be a decision I'll regret. For my God is always faithful.

God directed my attention to a set of Scripture verses this morning during my Bible Study time.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 says: "But mark this. There will be a terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people."

Wow. How relevant those words are!! If you ever doubt how close we are to the Lord coming again - all you need to do is read those words. For they describe the world we live in -- the world we live in TODAY.

The fact that people think it's cool to act rebellious, that manners are rare and stand out instead of being the norm, or even the fact that everyone is in too much of a hurry to be polite and courteous to strangers anymore.

And we've done it to ourselves. We have no one to blame but ourselves.

It's not too late to change and make a difference though. As I was out today, God showed me that there is still good in the world and there are still good people out there. There was a man at the gas station who was getting gas right next to me. He smiled, whistled, chatted with me, and was just nice. Do you remember "nice?"

Do you know that no one ever speaks to me at a gas station? Not even to smile or say hello? This man stood out. And then after getting my groceries, I saw a man on the corner with a sign that he was ill and wanted money. I was just going to reach into my purse and give him a couple of dollars when I saw a man approach him, bend down on his knees and start thumbing through dollar bills in his wallet. Let me tell you - I got tears in my eyes! Do you know that this is the first time I have ever seen someone do this?? It stands out.

Oh why have our hearts grown so cold? Why are we so protective of what we've got that we've lost touch with what others don't have anymore?

Since when did it become "cool" to not be polite? Or fashionable to not care?

We have a chance to make a difference. How about letting that driver cut in, in front of you? How about picking up your trash, giving away a little money to someone who needs it, obeying your parents, having self control (and feeling good about it), thinking of others before yourself, being slow to anger (or letting an issue go altogether), and encouraging others?

The Lord IS coming again. And it's sooner than we think or realize. I don't want to be the person He speaks about in 2 Timothy. Do you?

I have come to the conclusion lately, that most of us are too casual with God. I know that I have felt convicted about how casual I have been with my Lord. It can become too common place to pray to Him with a "please that" and a "Lord I ask you for this" or just a "thank you for doing that." I think we have forgotten who we are dealing with!

Jesus is God. GOD. He is GREATLY to be praised and worthy of our fear. He is powerful and sovereign.

Our generation has almost become complacent about revering our Lord. We say that Jesus is the God of our life - but then we whine about this or that - failing to submit each and every second of our day to Him. Failing to realize that what God gives in our lives - He has every right to take away.

Have you ever seen someone worship God? Truly worship Him? Usually they either have their hands thrust in the air, they are on their knees, or they might have their eyes closed as they soak in the words of a song or chorus. They humble themselves because they have endured trials and challenges. They have felt great pain and KNOW and FEEL the awesomeness, the greatness, the power of our Almighty Lord.

I know that God wants me to come to Him like I would a friend. And I can talk to Him and converse to Him throughout my day. I think God enjoys it when we do that. But I also have come to realize that we minimilize His royalty and the fact that He is ruler of ALL. We would treat a celebrity in much more reverence than we treat our Lord sometimes! We think too highly of ourselves and believe too little of our Lord to truly allow ourselves to treat Him with all of the accolades He deserves. We say "God this" and "God that" - with no real thought to it. We don't bow down our daily lives to Him.

God deserves our worship. He deserves our esteem, honor, and glory. I pray that I, personally, can begin to act in mind, actions, and spirit - more serious about the way I praise, submit, talk about, repent, and serve my Lord.

One day I am going to be accountable for my heart, thoughts, and actions before Him. And I don't want to fall on my face ashamed because I minimized who He is.

I've been talking with my husband lately about making a difference with your life. We both have a great desire to not simply live... but to make an impact on others with our lives. And how each individual does that is ultimately up to the Lord. I think He can use each one of us in different ways and on different levels. But my heart is grieved when I see people simply living out their life. Nothing more,nothing less. Just living.

It occurs to me that every single person has the choice of whether or not to allow God to use them in a mighty way to make a difference with their life.

1. ALL parents can make a difference with their life. If you are a parent, you can make a difference. It may not seem dramatic or glamorous - but it is vitally important and if you invest into your children, it could be dramatic in the way they live (or don't live) their lives out for God.

2. If you are a grandparent, you can make a difference with your life. You still have a crucial role in the upbringing of your grandchildren. So many of us have core values and ideals that were instilled in us because of our grandparents. If you find yourself now in this role, you can make a good or a bad difference in the life of your grandchildren. It depends on how much time you invest into their lives, and how much it means to you to make a difference in who they could be for the Lord.

3. If you live in a community, are part of a church, live in a neighborhood, etc -- you can make a difference with your life. We can just go about our business, or we can open our eyes and ears and look for needs and ways that God can use us in the lives of those we live amongst. You may not change your whole community, but you can change the life of one person in that community. And one life is a lot.

4. God can choose to prompt your heart and speak to you about serving Him and using you life on a broader scale. That could be missions, ministry work, etc. And if God calls you to this type of service for Him - I believe you will know. He will clearly speak to your heart.

We ALL can make a difference with our lives. We just need to be willing to be used where we are.

I do know this ... if you don't place God first in your life, if you are not allowing Him to be Lord over the everyday "daily" stuff in your life...it will be hard to hear Him speaking to you and showing you in what direction you are to go. We must all be growing in the Lord first. The more we grow in the Lord, the more in-tune we are to listening and to hearing His voice and call when it comes to us.

Only God can fulfill you. Helping others is nice, but the "rush" you get will come and go. Only God can replace the emptiness that fills our hearts. Then, and only then will we feel "full", content, and cease to search for other things to fulfill our lives. Once we feel that "fullness" that only God can give us, then we can use that fullness to propel us to make a difference in the lives of others.

The "call" on each one of our lives is different. I don't believe that any two people are called to the same purpose in life. I do know that I don't want to simply live. I want to make a difference.

My husband and I are both sensing God talking to our hearts and beginning to prepare us to be used by Him more in the future. But we are not quite sure of the ultimate goal, direction, or timing yet. Please pray for us that our hearts will be "in-tune" to what God plans to tell us and where He wants to use us as we seek to let Him reveal more of His plan for our lives.

I pray that you, may also tilt your ear to God's heart -- and let Him speak to you personally, about how He wants you to use your life for Him to impact others. There are so many hurting and needy people out there. People need us. We can't just turn a blind eye and continue to live our lives safely and comfortably anymore.

We'll never be safer anywhere in the world, than we will be if are in God's Will. Start praying about where you can be used for Him. I know I am.

Depression. Ambition. Loneliness. Bitterness. Busyness.

All of these things have something in common. And that is that the focus of each one of these is on ourselves. We are centered and thinking about our own situation, feelings, environment, and mood. Life can do that to us.

I've found out a little secret. Something that keeps me from being too prideful, helps me get over being depressed or lonely and something that keeps my priorities right. That "something" is vision.

You see, when I have a God-given vision or purpose, then it gives my life and each one of my daily moments a true purpose. It gets me excited about something, it keeps me moving, it focuses me on something greater than myself. It works - every time.

I think we let life distract us from what we are truly here for. We let our drive for paying off those bills, or going to that next big attraction or adventure, or making sure we're taking all the right pills and medications - keep us from giving and living within our true meaning and purpose. We let all that "stuff" be the ruling force in our lives instead of letting God be the ruling force in our lives.

When I am doing something for the Lord, whether it's teaching Ladies Bible Study, focusing on an upcoming missions trip, working on my ministry, doing community service - whatever it is that He has laid on my heart - I get excited about living! I get motivated to eat right, exercise, my attitude is improved, my health seems to fair illnesses better, I forget about the lack of close friendships or the dreams unreached in my life - and I just LIVE for Him. All those things dissipate and it feels like I'm living out my true calling for that moment or period in time.

You see, we all need a "Holy-vison" or a "Holy-calling." We need something higher than ourselves that God has asked us to do. For each one of us, that calling or vision may be different. But I'm betting that each one asks us to step outside of our comfort zone a little bit and reach out into some area of life that needs reaching.

Start praying today and ask God for Him to show you what God-given task you can devote yourself to. Look for those opportunities that He has placed before you to give your heart and soul to. Watch how quickly you will forget about the worries of the world and all the other things that used to crowd your heart and mind.

There is something BIGGER than ourselves and we can be apart of it.

Wealth - beauty - power - fame.... those are all things valued in our society. They are so valued that people think they aren't valuable if they are not beautiful, powerful, or successful. So we have a society of people who are living for themselves. I mean, you can't be living for others if you are striving for success, beauty, wealth, and fame - right? It's all about "you." And it's an empty life. Things, people, and circumstances will satisfy... temporarily. But they won't last.

I hear from a lot of moms. Most moms say they fight against this mentality in life. They don't fall into the trap of trying to keep up appearances, they try to simplify their lifestyles, they don't care if they are well-known or not, etc. Maybe so. Maybe their is a new generation of people who are seeing the pointlessness in all the entrapments of life. But I'm just wondering if we take a closer look - what are we teaching our kids about being valued?

Most of us are trying to raise our children to be good people. We try to praise and encourage them. But what do we praise and encourage them for? I know that for my children, they are inundated with rewards (mostly candy) for performance. They are rewarded for raising the most money for a fundraiser, turning homework in on time, simply showing up at a practice or rehearsal, or any number of things that involve how well they do or how much they do. It has bugged me for many years.

As parents, we are just as guilty as schools or clubs are, of teaching our children that being "great" means to be successful. I mean, how much praise do we give our child for being nominated team captain? Do we talk often about them getting a "well-paying" job someday? How about going to a top-notch college, or to be the first one to finish in a competition? What are we saying when we do that? Are we teaching our kids that working for something is the reward? Do we let them know that the reward is in the journey... or that the reward is in the prize?

I've learned that to really feel "great" - you have to have a life that is about others not as much as it is about yourself. And if I want to have children who grow up to feel valued and "great" - I need to teach them that the best image they can have - is one that is selfless not selfish. That is the greatest recognition you could get. It's hard for all of us... but if they can be just as happy being on the team instead of only having to be the captain ---- if they can feel satisfied finishing the race and not only content if they finish it first or second --- then maybe they will also learn to help others along the way because they are less focused on themselves. Maybe they will develop compassion for that person who comes in last because they know how it feels.

I want my children to take care of themselves, to care for their appearance, to have integrity, and develop a good reputation. But I want them to do it because of the internal reward they get in knowing themselves inside and out, who they are and what they want out of life; not because they get a payoff in attention, rewards, or recognition from others in a temporary and false sense of "greatness." I want them to do their best not because they want to "be the best" but because I want them to be THEIR best.

We can say that we hate the world's standards. We can say that we balk the mentality that society values. But when we look into our own homes - I think we will find differently.

Prov. 16:9 In his (her) heart, a man (woman) plans his course; but the Lord determines his steps.

I love this verse. My sister wrote it in a notebook of mine once, years ago and it fast became a favorite of mine. In fact, in the last 10 years, I've adopted it as one of my "life" verses.

I have plans for my life. I have dreams, wishes, and intentions of where I want my life to go. I've always been a dreamer and I think that's a good thing because so many people grow cynical in life and forget what dreams are truly about. The only problem comes in when God has different intentions than the intentions I have!

I often ask God to show me where He wants me. I want to be open and willing enough to drop things when He tells me it's time to move on. I want to be able to change my plans if He asks me to. Sometimes that's really hard to do. It's tough to say "good-bye" to some of our dreams, isn't it?" But God reminds me of Eve and Jonah. Eve did her own thing instead of what God asked her to do and she sinned. God disciplined her for it. As He did with Jonah. Jonah refused to think (or trust) that God just might know what He was doing and he fled. Look what happened to him! He got thrown overboard and swallowed by a fish until he agreed to obey the Lord.

I believe with all of my heart that God wants to bless me. And I know that when my own pride gets in the way and I disobey the Lord that there will be consequences. I think it's okay that I disagree with God or question what His motives are - as long as I obey Him through that doubting. But if I obey, I will see the blessing that He longs to show me.

So I may have plans for my life. I may spend a lot of time on them. Dreaming. Wishing. Orchestrating details and getting them just "so." But no matter how much I "plan" for my life to go a certain way - God has the ultimate say. It is He, who will determine the path and steps I take. I can fight it - but it will do no good.

We might as well trust the One who created the universe with the minute details of our lives. Big or small - His hands are big enough to take care of them and He won't lead us down the wrong road. He wants to bless us. All He asks is for us to obey... even if we feel we're being led in the complete opposite direction of the one we intended to go on. Trust Him. He won't let you down.

I recorded some shows on the World Trade Center tragedy that happened on 9/11. That moment and the affects of that day are very personal to me. I've often thought that 9/11 to me, is what Pearl Harbor was to my grandparents. Personal. You don't forget something like that.

But as I was watching footage of that day, some things stood out to me. I was watching personal scenes shot from people's video cameras in New York City. I was seeing and hearing what they actually went through being so close to the situation. I saw person after person on their cell phones, looking at big screens in Times Square showing live footage with hands clasped over their mouths. There were no smiles. Some people were rushing by, but most were stopped; stunned.

And as I was watching all of this the thought came across my heart at how unprepared we all were for that day. None of us thought something like that would ever happen. We weren't ready. We were scared, maybe confused, and we were heartbroken at what was occurring. There was nothing anyone could do at that moment. What was done was done. You can't go back and undo it; you can only grow and learn from it.

I couldn't shake the feeling from my heart as I was watching the show at how unprepared we are for God to one-day return to earth. It will seem horrific to so many and they will be shocked, saddened, and stunned just as they were on 9/11. There will be nothing anyone can do. God has told us to be prepared and to be ready. He has said He will come again for those who believe and He will overcome Satan and destroy him. He will make a new heaven and a new earth. Do you believe that He will?

Not a lot of people would have ever believed that planes could crash into our buildings killing so many innocent people. And not a lot of people believe that God (if they believe in God) will come back to earth one day. But I do. And I want to be ready. I don't want to stand on a corner with a hand over my gaping mouth thinking, "I can't believe this is happening."

The time is now for us to question what we believe and how we are going to live our lives. The time is now for us to acknowledge that there is a Lord and Savior and that He loved us so much that one day long ago He went through cruel torture and punishment on our behalf and died on the cross for every sin we could ever think of or commit. He did that out of His great love for us. And then He rose again 3 days later. Death couldn't defeat Him and it can't defeat you and I if we have faith and believe.

9/11 was the day the world changed for every American. What day will change for the world when God returns? Will you be unprepared or will you be ready?

Why is it that when something bad happens in someone's life - the first thing they tend to do is blame God? Why is there such a furor and uprising against Him? It seems to me that when things go right or blessings happen in our lives, God is the first one we thank. Yet He is also the first one we turn against.

I have watched and observed the lives of those around me for 37 years now. I have seen those I care for lose loved ones to death, deal with illnesses, job losses, and tragedy. And I have always found it interesting how when something is particularly painful in our lives, that people immediately blame God. They never jump on Satan's case. No. It's my Lord they harbor anger and bitterness towards. And I just wonder - why is this?

The God I know is loving, kind, patient (thank goodness - because I make loads of mistakes), and gentle. He knows every tear I shed and values the pain in my heart so much that the Bible says that He keeps track of those very tears. Yet my God is also a "just" God. He knows when His people need discipline and He knows when we need a reprimand.

And Satan? The Satan I know is cunning. He is here to "steal, kill, and destroy." He cares nothing about breaking apart families, ruining relationships, hurting your self image, or destroying every dream, wish, and milestone that you've made in your life. In fact, he relishes in it. Because God is his enemy. And he will do anything he can to draw us away from the One who can save and redeem our lives.

So why is it then, that people are so quick to blame God for every bad thing that happens to them? Why is it, that people forget that they have free will and choice and that often, they are paying for their own past mistakes? Why is it, that people expect God to only do good things for them, but then they will turn around and forget the very God who did those things?

I'm just wondering.

My dad once told me, "When you hurt, I hurt." That's what you do when you love someone. And so it is with my Lord. When He is unfairly accused of crimes or hardships in people's lives, it hurts me because I know it must hurt Him. I can imagine Him saying, "My child - do you remember when I did 'this' for you? And just yesterday, my child, did you see me as I reached out to speak to you?" "My child, were you aware that last week I protected you from this? And you thought such and such was so terrible but I shielded you from something much worse." That's what I imagine. And it hurts me that so many of us are so quick to yell at the Lord and blame Him for every painful thing we endure in our lives.

I think that people think they need someone to blame. I guess things are too hard to come to terms with sometimes without finding a reason for why they might be happening. I guess it's easier to blame God than to simply accept that to live; sometimes means to hurt. I guess people forget that we live in a sin-cursed world. We live in a world that Satan governs.

I guess it's easy to feel lost and lonely and forgotten.

But, if, for one moment - I could get people to meet the God I know; I don't think they would feel lost and lonely and forgotten. I don't think they would accuse Him of purposefully causing hardships, suffering, and pain in their lives. It's true, sometimes He uses those very things to get our attention, but I don't believe that God ever intentionally hurts His children.

We may never have all of the answers we want for why we go through tragic and hard times in our lives. We may not understand. But maybe, just maybe, we can think about where we unleash our anger and realize that blaming God may be a way to 'vent', it doesn't heal us of our pain. If we can do that, maybe we can get to know who God really is and how great His love for us is.

That is my hope.

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."