Light Switch Moment

As I teacher, I used to love those "light switch moments" when I could see one of my students "get it" as we discussed a new topic or introduced a new concept.  I loved helping them make connections and understand how what we were learning in the classroom applied to their every day lives at home.

Now, as a stay at home mom, I love having those "light switch moments" with my children.

AND, as an entrepreneur, I love when people have that "light switch moment" and realize they don't have to work 9-5, they don't have to work overtime, they don't have to sit in rush hour traffic two times a day going to and from a job they don't even like.  I love when they recognize there is a different way, a much better way, a more life-GIVING way.

Sadly, far too many people are living in the dark.  They have yet to experience a "light switch moment."  They continue to believe what they have accepted at truth, simply because it is the "normal" all around them.  They grew up with parents going to work every day.  They grew up watching Dad and/or Mom put in long hours to have enough money to pay the bills or get special presents for birthdays or Christmas.  They watch their friends do the same thing today.  And so they do it too.  BUT, what if....what if there is another way?

On Tuesday, my husband and I went to our Financial Peace University class with Dave Ramsey.  He shared a story about a couple who saw a woman, a single mom, sitting in a church pew crying.  The couple went over to the woman to see what was wrong and if they could pray with her.  The single mom explained how she was asking God to provide for her, seeing as how she wasn't even going to be able to pay the electricity bill that month.  The couple listened and did indeed pray with her and assured her God would take care of her, as He always does.  Everyone then went on their way.  The single mom went home with her kids, wondering how in the world her prayer would be answered.  The couple went to the electric company and paid the single mom's electricity bill FOR A YEAR IN ADVANCE.   Without letting the single mom know, the couple knew THEY were the answer to her prayers!

You see, the couple had paid off all their debt and put aside money in savings and accumulated quite a bit of wealth.  They were able to help this single mom without any hesitation.  And because of their willingness to "live like no one else" for a short time while they saved and paid off debt and didn't make unnecessary purchases and followed Dave Ramsey's plan, they were soon able to "live like no one else" for a LONG time.  They were able to help this single mom pay her electric bill for an entire year!!!    They didn't get rich just to have a lot of money in their bank account.   Oh no, they saw money as a TOOL FROM GOD.  They knew they were BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING.  They took what God had given them and used it to share His love, to show His faithfulness and goodness, to pass on His blessings to others all around them.

Talk about a "light switch moment!"

THAT is what I dream of being able to do with the money we make through It Works.  Yes, we want to pay off our house (our only remaining debt).  Yes, we want to put money aside for our girls to go to college and graduate debt free (so that they can have the freedom to go and do and GIVE more as well).  Yes, we want to go on some family vacations.  BUT, more than anything, we want to be able to BLESS others without having to give it a second thought.  We don't want to have to look at our bills and wonder if we will have anything "leftover" to give to others.  We want to be able to give FREELY and GENEROUSLY.

I dream of being able to go to the grocery store and loading up a cart full of fruits and veggies and everything else a family would need for a MONTH.  Then, take all those bags of goodies to someone's door, ring the bell, and drive away.

I dream of being able to pay for someone's medical bills.

I dream of being able to help a family get presents for their children for Christmas.

I dream of being able to send a family on a vacation (or inviting them to come along with us on one).

I dream of being able to pay for a single mom's electric bill for a year in advance.

As Dave Ramsey says, "Imagine how much more effective the kingdom of God could be if the people of God were debt free!"

What about you?  What would you do for others if you were debt free and had the opportunity to bless others without a second thought?

If you think I am on a quest to be rich or wonder if I have fallen in love with money, please know that I DO want to make money -- a LOT of it -- but NOT to keep it for myself.  I feel as though God has placed BIG dreams and desires and passions on my heart.  These ministries are not free, sadly.  In fact, they require money.  Quite a bit of it.  As my friends Mitch and Melissa shared their desire to fund 2 homes for those escaping the human-trafficking industry, they explained how that would take A LOT of money.  So, when they earned a $50,000 bonus last month, I was elated for them!!!  I didn't for a second think they were rich, selfish snobs or that they would squander their wealth on buying "stuff."  I knew God has blessed them so they in turn can bless others.

I feel as though He is doing this in my life too and that He will continue to do in even bigger ways in the near future as He blesses my business.

I would LOVE for you to join me on this journey.  Be it as a customer (using the products to invest in your own health so you can get the most out of life every day) or be it as a distributor (sharing the products with others and making money as you help people change their lives).

I hope this blog will lead you to have a "light switch moment" of your own.  I pray you will realize there is a different approach to work, to making money, to doing life.  I pray you understand my heart.  I pray you will have the faith and courage to live out the dreams God has placed within you, whatever they may be.  I pray you will join me in this mission to BLESS OTHERS!

If you have questions or want more information, please feel free to message me or even call me!  I would love to talk with you more or pray for you as you follow God's plans and fulfill His purposes for you.

If you are on Facebook, I welcome you to "come" to a Virtual Party I am doing tonight (4/24) at 9 pm CST.   I'll be sharing more about the It Works natural health and wellness products, as well as the business side of things!

For Such a Time as This

If you have small children, you may have seen the Veggie Tales rendition of the Biblical story of Esther.  

I love how on the bottom of the DVD case it highlights that the story is a "lesson in COURAGE."  I'm not sure how well Veggie Tales did in staying true to the actual Biblical account, BUT it's a great story and an EXCELLENT lesson for ALL of us, not just our small children.

If you're not familiar with Esther and her incredible testimony, you should check it out!!!  Long story short is that Esther was picked from all the girls in the land as the most beautiful and pleasing to the king.  She became the new queen and was immediately faced with a life-threatening situation.  Either she needed to risk her life and go before the king uninvited (something that could have gotten her head chopped off, depending on the king's mood at that particular moment) or stand aside and let all her fellow Jews be slaughtered.  She chose the UNSAFE route and ended up saving the Jewish people.  One of the famous quotes from Esther's story comes when her cousin Mordecai flat out tells her she NEEDS to do something whether it is safe or not, "Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”

Mordecai was right.  God could have used someone else to save His people.  BUT He had sovereignly placed Esther in a position where SHE could make a difference.  The choice was hers.  She could play it safe and hope she would be spared since she was the queen, but in so doing she would watch all her Jewish friends and family perish.  Her other choice required COURAGE, a lot of it.  She had to go before the king, not knowing if he would gladly welcome her or angrily send her to the chopping block, but in so doing she could potentially save an entire nation.  

Thankfully, Esther made the courageous choice.  Maybe as she thought about Mordecai's question, "Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?" she recalled the story of Joshua as he led the Israelites into battle.  Maybe she could relate to him since he too was young when God called him up to carry out some BIG plans.  Perhaps she remembered what God told Joshua, "This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."  Whatever the case may be, Esther chose to be strong and COURAGEOUS.  She chose not to let fear or worry or doubt or uncertainty or anything else keep her from doing what God was calling her to do.  She chose to accept the challenge before her, finding strength in God and His presence.  She realized God indeed had placed her in her position as queen for this very moment, and she rose to the occasion.  

And now, thousands of years later, we are still reading about her courage.  Heck, we are watching cartoon movies about her as a green onion (I think that's what vegetable she is)!

What about YOU?  
Has God called you to something bigger than yourself?  
Has God asked you to do something scary or difficult or even humanly impossible?  
Has God put you in a certain position for a specific reason?

No matter who you are or where you are at in life, I want to assure you that God has indeed done all those things.  
He HAS called you to something bigger than yourself.
He HAS asked you to do something scary or difficult or even humanly impossible.
He HAS put you exactly where you are at this very moment for a very specific reason (though I may not know exactly what that reason is...yet).

And, just like Esther, YOU have a CHOICE to make.
Will you decide to play it safe OR will you decide to "be strong and courageous?"
Will you hope someone else steps up OR will you realize God has you where you are "for such a time as this?"

I feel as though I am living out the story of Esther in my own life, right now.  

NO, I am not risking my life to save an entire nation, BUT I do feel as though I am responding to God's leading and doing what He has called me to do.  It is a little scary and difficult.  It is certainly bigger than myself.  And beyond a shadow of a doubt it is even humanly impossible!  YET, I know in my heart of hearts God has created me for SUCH A TIME AS THIS.

You see, when I became an It Works distributor it was never really about the wrap (or even the greens, which is the product that got me hooked).  It has always been so much more than that.  It's ALWAYS been about changing lives.  Be it that I am helping people invest in their health -- via the wrap or greens or other supplements or skin care or whatever -- and get the most out of life or be it that I am helping people invest in their finances so they can be debt free and have the freedom to go and do more and live more and GIVE more!  Even more so, I see It Works as a platform for God to use me to impact COUNTLESS LIVES ALL OVER THE WORLD.  (I told you this is scary and difficult and bigger than myself and humanly impossible.)  This is about empowering people, especially other moms to be the women God has created them to be.  This is about sharing the love of Jesus with anyone and everyone, showing them how He is at work in my life, how He is blessing me, and how He longs to have a personal relationship with anyone and everyone who will let Him into their hearts and lives.  This is about bringing massive amounts of glory and honor and praise to God's marvelous and majestic name -- sharing stories of His faithful provision, relating testimonies of how our natural (God-made) products are helping people get their health and thus their lives back, and using the resources He has so graciously given us to bless others in "big" and "small" ways.   

As an It Works distributor I am doing something a bit different.  Not everyone is on board.  Not everyone understands.  Not everyone believes in the product or the business.  And that's okay.  I can't let that stop me or keep me from doing what I truly believe God has called me to do and be.  Instead, I chose to be "strong and courageous."  I chose to believe I am here, right now, doing this crazy wrap thing (that's so much more) "for such a time as this."

This morning, I read a testimony from a fellow distributor and thought it went along perfectly with what God is doing in my own heart.  Here's what Melody MacFarlene had to say about her role in It Works:

In June 2005 I was living in "my own little world". I knew that God had a plan for my life, but I just didn't know what it was. I was a good daughter, good sister, good wife, good mother, good friend, but there just had to be more. I got into It Works because that Crazy Wrap Thing worked. I got excited and started making money right away. After 15 years in network marketing, I finally found a business that was working. For the first time I was seeing the fruits of my labor. I could see that this business was going to be the answer to our prayers for financial freedom. We were going to be able to retire Blair and do some things for us. It was all about what it was going to do for the McFarlane family.

But something happened along the way. I began to see a deeper purpose. People's lives were being impacted because I opened the door of this amazing opportunity for them. It wasn't about me any more. That point was driven into my spirit by my sister, Kimberly. You see, she was diagnosed with lung cancer in Jan. 2007. According to her doctors, she did not have long to live. I wanted to put my business on the back burner and spend the time she had left with her. When I told her my plans, she was adamant that I could not do that. Her words pierced deep into my spirit,"You were born for this purpose! You are walking in your destiny, the very reason that God put you on this earth!! You can't stay here with me, it's not about you and it's not about me…it's about the people that God is putting in your path. This is bigger than both of us!"

At that moment it was if my eyes were opened really wide and I saw the much bigger picture. I put my agenda aside and picked up God's agenda and started building like never before. I became the company's first Triple Diamond on March 31, 2007. Kimberly was the first person I called to share the news. She was ecstatic! She said "This is only the beginning my dear sister, you ain't seen nothing yet!" I can hear her voice like it was yesterday. My amazing sister passed away a little over a week later on April 9th. I am thankful that she was the one who helped me to fully understand my purpose. Her fiery spirit lives on in her daughter, Kristen Anderson, Triple Diamond.

I don't know what it will take for you to see the "bigger" picture. I pray that you will hang in there long enough with It Works to do whatever it takes to fulfill your God-given destiny. I want you to take some time and get alone with God. Ask Him to show you the plans He has for you. Put your business into His hands and don't worry about anything. You do the work and God will bless it. We all want it to happen now, but it will happen when it's supposed to. In the meantime it's so important to work on developing the best "you" you can be. Read books or listen to books on cd to build your confidence and your belief. Go to Success on Demand in your esuite and dig into that awesome resource. Make the quality decision to never quit and then go to work. Blitz, blitz, blitz…you only need a few good ones to change your life. They are out there, I promise. Your "own little world" will begin to grow from you to thousands!! God bless!!

I LOVE that so many top leaders in this company continually bring us back to God and to live out HIS purpose for our lives.  I LOVE that they remind us to get out of comfort zone, to push ourselves, to "be strong and courageous" so that God can do BIG things through us.  

Know what's kind of funny too?  Well, maybe not funny, but totally GOD...  The It Works boxes actually have this verse printed on each and every one of them!!!  

Coincidence?  I don't think so!!!  

Again, I want to ask you if God is calling you to do something bigger than yourself. 
Is he wanting you to do something scary or difficult or even humanly impossible?
Does He have you where you are at right now "for such a time as this?"

Don't let fear or worry or doubt or uncertainy or anything else stand in your way.  Don't let anything or anyone from doing what God has called you to do, what He has CREATED you to do!!!

For we are God’s masterpiece. 

He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, 

so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Step out and be an Esther with me.   Whatever your "such a time as this" may be.  

As we chose COURAGE together, I will be praying these words from the apostle Paul for you:

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. 

We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will 

and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 

Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, 

and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. 

All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power 

so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. 

May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. 

He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, 

who live in the light. 

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness 

and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 

who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

I'll also be praying these verses from Paul as well:

So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. 

May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 

Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, 

and you will be honored along with him. 

This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.

If you've decided to be an Esther today, I would love to know!!!  Feel free to message me or even call me so we can pray together for strength and courage as we do whatever God is calling us to do for the sake of His glorious name!

Winning at Losing

Even if you're not competitive or don't participate in athletic events or take part in recitals or whatever, you are most likely playing a game every single day, and LOSING.  Every single day.

I lost just moments ago.  And it wasn't the first time today, either.

You see, I saw this picture of my friend Paula on facebook.  I played the game.  And lost.

She's a published author (check out her great book Confessions of a Boy-Crazy Girl) and works with Nancy Leigh DeMoss at Revive Our Hearts.  Today, she's recording programs at FamilyLife Today.  LOVE what God is doing in and through my friend from college.

BUT, at the same time, I had that nasty feeling of jealousy sneak into my heart.  I have dreams of being a published author.  I would love to write a book and minister to women (especially my fellow mamas) in that way.  I would love to impact their lives and their families.  Like Paula is with her book and radio broadcasts and speaking engagements and such.

And so I start thinking and asking questions: Why can't I be like Paula?  Why does she get to do all these amazing things while I'm at home with my girls cleaning up messes and changing diapers?  

I get frustrated and begin to complain: It's not fair!!!  I'm just as talented as she is.  What makes her so special to get all the breaks...

See how quickly that happened.  I played the comparison game.  And lost.  BIG TIME.

The only person happy about this is my sneaky opponent whose sole purpose is to defeat me.  Satan's goal is to get me to play a game I can't ever win.  He tricks me into playing time and time again, day in and day out, without ever realizing I am playing.  And losing.

He cheers when I lose.

God, on the other hand, does not like when I play this silly game.  It saddens Him.   Breaks is heart, actually.

He has already given us victory over sin and Satan, so when we let him defeat us, God must be devastated.

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, 

God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 

having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, 

which stood against us and condemned us; 

he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, 

he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Sadly, I play this stupid comparison game far too often.  Satan has come up with so many variations of the game and made it seem like a normal part of my daily life that I don't even realize I am playing most of the time.  Thankfully, God helped me realize my mistake as I saw Paula's picture in my newsfeed.

I know Satan won't give up today though, or any day for that matter.  

He'll try to get me to play when I see another mom post a picture of some creative project she did with her kids.  He'll want me to feel bad that I didn't do the same thing.  He'll want me to think I'm not the best mom. 

He'll try to get me to play when I see someone post a picture of a delicious meal they made for supper.  He'll want me to believe I should have spent more time preparing a tasty dish for my family too.

He'll try to get me to play when I see someone post a picture of the outfit they're wearing for Easter. He'll want to me feel guilty for not getting my girls new dresses or a new dress for myself.  He'll want me to feel fat and ugly because I wouldn't be able to fit into that dress and look as good as she does anyway.  

He'll try to get to me to play when someone posts pictures of the fun they are having on vacation.  He'll want me to be jealous that I'm not on vacation too.  

I could go on and on and on.  For every interaction I have with someone, Satan presents the opportunity for me to play his silly game.  The game I can never win.

For even when I compare myself to others and wrongly think I am better than them, I have lost.  

I don't know about you, but I am tried of winning at losing.  

I am tired of falling prey to Satan's tricks.  I am tired of playing his stupid game.

And so I quit.  But, I'll have to quit again in 5 minutes.  And again in 10 minutes.   And again and again and again and again all day long.  

Wanna quit with me?

Let's be quitters together!

I don't usually suggest quitting or giving up, but in this case, it's the best possible option.

As we quit, may we remember we're already winners in God's eyes (and HIS opinion is the only one that matters anyway):

For you created my inmost being;

    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful,

    I know that full well.

15 

My frame was not hidden from you

    when I was made in the secret place,

    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

16 

Your eyes saw my unformed body;

    all the days ordained for me were written in your book

    before one of them came to be.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Instead of comparing ourselves to others, and always losing at that game, let's instead focus on the TRUTH that God created us just the way He wanted, with unique gifts and abilities and talents.  As we seek His will and delight ourselves in Him, as we live out the plans and purposes God has for us, we will be satisfied and fulfilled and build each other up and help each other become the men and women God intended us to be in the first place.  

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, 

but the same Spirit is the source of them all.

There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord.

God works in different ways, 

but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 

so it is with Christ’s body. 

We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. 

So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, 

speak out with as much faith as God has given you.

If your gift is serving others, serve them well. 

If you are a teacher, teach well.

If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. 

If it is giving, give generously. 

If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. 

And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. 

Use them well to serve one another.

Do you have the gift of speaking? 

Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. 

Do you have the gift of helping others? 

Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. 

Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. 

All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Instead of winning at losing, let's quit playing Satan's awful game.  Let's come together, be on the same team, and work towards a common goal -- bringing massive amounts of glory to God's awesome name!

When we do that, we'll all be winners!!! 

*Funny side note: as I was typing out this blog post about my dreams of being a published author, I got a phone call from Author House about publishing 2 children's books I wrote and submitted years ago!!!  This is a self-publishing company, not like Zondervan or something like that, and so I would pay all the upfront costs and other expenses as the book was published.  I had to laugh and smile as the lady explained all this to me.  I asked her to send me an email with all the information so I could SEE it and talk with Lawrence about this opportunity.  We'll see what happens.... 

Made for MORE

I used to see book covers like this and cringe.  I was immediately skeptical.  I assumed the author was preaching a "health and wealth gospel."

I haven't read this book, so I don't really know what Curtis Martin has to say about discovering the life God created you to live, or how he suggests you go about making that discovery.

I haven't read Jim Cymbala's book either.  So, I don't know what his take is on the life you have and the life God wants you to have.  I am sure he does an excellent job explaining the difference and shows how we can go about changing the way we look at life and thus how we live life.  I believe I have read his other book (one of them at least) Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire and was impressed with his thoughts and agreed with his theology.

If I didn't like to read, I could watch this DVD series by Barb Larson and learn how to embrace all God has made me to be.  Haven't taken the time to do that, but maybe I should.  Maybe I shouldn't pre-judge what Larson has to say.  Maybe I shouldn't assume I know what her approach is to living life.  I don't even know who she is, so why should I put her, or her ideas, in a box.  I shouldn't.  That's my point!

I feel like I have put myself in a box, actually.  I think I have listened to what I thought was truth, but am coming to realize might have been lies that the Enemy disguised extremely well.  He's good at that.  Very, VERY good.  As the apostle John wrote, "Why can't you understand what I am saying?  It's because you can't even hear me!!  For you are children of your father the devil, and  you love to do the evil things he does.  He was a murderer from the beginning.  He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is the father of lies.  So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don't believe me!" (Jn 8:43-45)

I think we have the same problem today as John did thousands of years ago.  We don't readily listen to or accept the truth because we have been tricked and deceived.  We simply don't realize our mistake.  And it's a grave one, I'm afraid.

You see, Satan doesn't "just" lie to us.  That's only the beginning.  His purpose, his end goal is to "steal, kill, and destroy." (Jn 10:10)

Thus, when we believe his lies, however unsuspecting we may be, we are forfeiting the life God has for us.  As we exchange the truth of God for Satan's lies, we start to die inside (even if we don't realize that's happening - it is).  We totally miss out on the "rich and satisfying life" God wants for us (again John 10:10).

When I hear someone tell me, "You are made for more," I am hesitant to believe them.

No, I'm not. 
I'm not anyone special.
I don't deserve that kind of life.
I'm being selfish.

Lies!  All of them.

God's been helping me open my eyes and my ears.  He's helping me realize how many lies I have been believing.  He's helping me learn to see and listen all over again.  This time to HIM, to HIS WORD, to the true TRUTH.  I've written several blogs in the past couple moths about this matter, actually.  So, you would think I would have grasped the concept already, but apparently, I am a tough cookie.  I have a hard head and I guess I need the truth drilled into me again and again and again.

Maybe I need to read Liar, Liar Pants on Fire

Or perhaps I should look over You're Asking the Wrong Questions

I might have to skim Why Not You? again too

Then, there was the one I wrote about Guilty Pleasures.  That is probably worth reading once more.

See what I mean?!  God is trying to get His point across.  The problem isn't Him.  It's me.  It's that I have become so accustomed to what I thought was truth that I am blinded to the actual TRUTH.

But, as I said, God is persistent.  He Himself cannot lie and doesn't want me believing Satan's lies any more.  He is my heavenly Father and wants what is best for me.  He will not stand by while the devil attempts to lead me astray.  Not only is he teaching me the TRUTH, but He is teaching me to LISTEN to the right voice.  And slowly, but surely, I am learning to listen to Jesus and not Satan.

So, what is Jesus telling me?
What is He telling YOU?

 
I seriously think I need to look into this book study by Jennie Allen.  Maybe God is trying to speak through her to help me, to help YOU.

I'm not preaching a health and wealth gospel.  I'm not telling you that God will give you whatever you want, that you will have lots of money, that you will never get sick or face hardship of any kind, that everything you touch will turn to gold, that everything you do will prosper like crazy.  That's not the truth, at least not God's truth.

I'm also not telling you that God doesn't want to bless you, that He doesn't want to give you good things, that He doesn't want you to be happy, that He doesn't want you to enjoy life to the fullest.  BECAUSE HE DOES. Boy, does He!!!

Take a look back at what I had to say about that in the post Whatever Your Little Heart Desires.

We need to remember this:

And that, dear precious child of God, is why God doesn't give us everything we want.  Instead, He helps us learn to WANT HIM above all else.  For only as we fill our hearts with HIM first will we truly appreciate the blessings He has for us.

As we seek God and delight in Him, God DOES give us the desires of our heart.  What I am coming to realize is that those desires are not wrong or selfish.  It's not bad of me to want to enjoy life.  It's not wrong to want to travel.  It's not selfish either.  These dreams I have had as of late are not "guilty pleasures."  That's what Satan wants me to believe.  But, he's a liar out to steal, kill, and destroy.  I must remember my dreams are from GOD Himself.  These dreams take my gaze and turn it heavenward.  They cause me to long for something better.  They stir within me a yearning for God and for His kingdom and for His will to be done here on earth.  Not later.  NOW.

And so, I will keep dreaming and praying even bigger.

Those dreams and prayers involve It Works.  I can't get around that.  As you see my posts and read my blogs and what not, please remember that as I talk about money, I have not fallen in love with wealth.  Also keep in mind what I shared the other day:

We had our first Financial Peace University Class tonight, and my heart is about to explode. So many things that Dave Ramsey said (on the video, because he didn't actually come in person to teach the class) resonated with what God has been speaking to me in my heart as I travel this crazy It Works journey. 

Money is not evil. The Bible says the LOVE of money is the root of evil. Money itself is amoral.

It's what you do with the money. It's how you feel about money. The only difference between saving and hoarding is attitude.

Imagine what would happen in the Kingdom of God if the people of God were debt free?!

If you are debt free and can save, you can do more, live more, be more, GIVE more!

If you don't use God's resources and forfeit that, you are handing those resources over to the enemy! That one got me!!!

I remember at Conference several people said something along the lines of, "Someone is going to make the money. Why not let it be the "good" people?" or "God wants the money in the hands of those who will use it well." At first I thought this sounded like a "health and wealth gospel," which I am NOT for because I don't think that is biblical. BUT, I do think God has called us to be His hands and feet, to love others, to make a difference. And while that doesn't always require money (or at least not very much of it), it often DOES require money (and sometimes a lot -- like adopting a child for $30,000 or going on a mission trip or sponsoring a child or paying for someone's medical bills or whatever God may call you to do).

SO, imagine what would happen in the Kingdom of God if the people of God were debt free?!!! Think about how much more money we could give. Think about how we would have the freedom of time to take off work and go overseas or across the street for a week trip. Think about the ways we could LIVE more, DO more, BE more, and GIVE more!

That is what is overflowing from my heart of hearts tonight.

Apparently, my heart was super full, because I went on to say this:

It's not wrong or bad or selfish to be rich IF you turn around and use what GOD has given you for HIS glory and His Kingdom work. It's even okay to travel and enjoy the world God made and praise Him for the beauty of His creation. That's honoring to Him. AND it's good to remember that God delights in us. He enjoys blessing us. If we as human parents like to give our kiddos fun things and do fun stuff together, how much more than does our HEAVENLY FATHER find joy in doing those things for us?! I don't think we can comprehend His love and so we resist it. We think it's selfish and bad a d wrong to have money. Again, it's not wrong at all, as long as you use the gifts God has given you for HIS good. It's not about accumulating wealth. It's about making a difference and changing the world. I could go on and on. This has become something I am beginning to be quite passionate about! As I listened to Dave talk last night, I couldn't help but smile and get excited and I felt like my heart was going to burst. He's putting dreams and hopes and desires in my heart that are too big for me alone, but I know that's good. Because only HE can make them happen, and I trust that He will, and then some. Because He's God and is so good at doing beyond what I could ever dream or dare to ask or possibly even imagine. LOVE!

I was moved even more after I read a post from a teammate

and wrote this:

Love, LOVE, love the encouragement and support I get from my It Works team mates. Not only is God doing a work in my heart about money/wealth but also about the "greatness within me" BECAUSE HE IS IN ME. When I put restrictions or limitations on myself, really I am telling GOD He can't do something. And that is down right ridiculous! I am God's MASTERPIECE and He has special, unique plans for me. He's not a ho-hum God so I'm pretty sure His purposes for me aren't ho-hum either! Yes, I may be at home changing diapers and cleaning up messes and doing laundry and all those other mom/wife things. BUT that is HUGE! I am also, I hope, encouraging and inspiring others to live out God's plans for them, whatever they may be. And I am learning to dream big and pray even bigger. I am opening myself up to be used by God however He wants. And that, my friends, is exciting and scary. I don't know all the details (none of us ever do), but I know God is at work in me and He's going to get massive amounts of glory as He does. I would love for you to join me on this adventure and we can pursue God with everything we have TOGETHER!

Psalm 62 is my life verse/passage.  Has been since my senior year of high school.  When I tore cartilage in my knees.  The week of the state track meet.  And couldn't compete.  And then couldn't play volleyball in college because I was doing physical therapy instead.  As God seemed to shatter all my dreams, He was doing a work in my heart.  He was actually replacing my love for sports with a love for HIM.  As a result, I have grown and come to realize that as I make GOD my foundation, I can never be shaken, no matter what life may bring my way.  

I think God is doing a new work in me and giving me a new life verse to add to this one.  He's teaching me that He who is my rock, my fortress, and my salvation is MORE powerful and faithful and good than I could even begin to imagine.  He's showing me that He is capable of so much MORE than I could ever dare to dream.

And as I come to understand God better, I am also beginning to understand His plans for me a bit better too.  I am beginning to believe, truly believe, that I am MADE FOR MORE.

And guess what?

SO ARE YOU!!!!

Dreaming for OTHERS

This morning on K-Love I heard a touching story of a young woman who is living out her childhood dreams.  She's not starring in a movie or walking down any runways or posing for a magazine cover.  She's not a rockstar or an Olympic athlete.  She's not a lawyer or doctor.  She's just 21 years old, so I don't even know if she's finished college yet.  BUT, she IS saving lives.  Lots of them!

When this young woman was a little girl, about 8 years old, she wrote in her journal, "If I could do anything for God I would build an entire village in Africa."  With 3 mission trips under her belt, Cassandra is now in the pre-field stage of becoming a full time missionary to South Africa, where she will be working with families affected by the devastating AIDS epidemic there.  If you want to read the full story about Cassandra, it's quite inspiring!

I was already thinking about dreaming, yet again, when I heard this story on the radio.  I think Cassandra's journey confirms what God was speaking to me in my heart.

You see, for the past couple days I have been focused on the dreams I have for my 3 young girls.  I read a great article today about parenting and being more intentional about raising children who will be happy, successful adults.  I do want my girls to be happy and successful, of course, but more than anything I want them to be women who make a difference in the lives of those around them.  I want them to be women of character, women who love others and show kindness and compassion to even the most "unlovely" of individuals.  I want them to be women who are always on the look out for ways they can bless others, ways they can speak truth into people's lives, ways they can encourage and support and inspire their friends and strangers alike to dream big and get the absolute most out of life each and every day.  The thing is, though, if I want them to be women who do these things, then I need to show them how to be young girls who do these things.  And, as the article reminded me, children often learn much better by watching than by hearing.  They may not remember a single word I say, but I can guarantee you they will remember what I DO.  So, I must teach by example.  If I want them to be that type of woman when they grow up, I need to be that type of woman NOW.  

As I think about the dreams I have for my girls, and how I would do just about anything to help them fulfill their dreams - no matter how wild or crazy they may be - I am realizing it's okay for ME to dream too.

For only as I dream, will my little girls be brave enough to dream.

As I dream and pray and work to make my dreams become a reality, my girls will see that.  They will be part of that.  They will grow up knowing God can do the humanly impossible.  They will grow up knowing God has special plans and purposes for them, plans and purposes that are so much bigger than they can ever imagine.  They will grow up knowing God is at work in and through them.  They will grow up knowing God can use anyone - including THEM - to make His name known and to bring people to Jesus.  They will grow up knowing that living all out for God isn't "safe," but it's the BEST thing to do, the most fulfilling, meaningful thing, the ONLY thing.

So, I ask you today, BEG you really, to DREAM.  Not just regular, run of the mill dreams either.  No, if you are going to dream, you might as well dream BIG.  Bigger than you have ever dreamed before.  So big that your dreams scare you.  Because only then are your dreams beyond what YOU can do and in the realm of what GOD alone can do.  And those kind of dreams bring glory and honor to His name.  Those kind of dreams get people's attention and help them see how truly powerful and amazing and faithful and good and majestic and wonderful God is.  You see, your dreams aren't about you at all.  Hate to burst your bubble.  But really, your dreams are all about GOD.  For He is the One who places those dreams in your heart in the first place.  He is the One who helps you make your dreams come true.  He is the one who gets all the credit when they do.

With this in mind, I ask you once more to DREAM BIG.

If not for yourself, for your children.  And your children's children.

Whatever Your Little Heart Desires

"May He grant your heart's desires and make all your plans succeed." ~Psalm 20:4

I read this verse this morning on my phone as part of a daily devotional I am doing -- Top Verses to Memorize.  I certainly like this verse, or at least what it seems to be promising at first glance.

God will give you whatever you want.  

He will answer every prayer.  

He will fulfill every wish.  

He will make all your plans succeed.  

He will give you the desires of your heart.  

That's what it says, right?

Well, not exactly.

We need to dig just a little deeper to understand what the Psalmist David is saying here.  

Before we jump to any conclusions about having God wrapped around our little fingers, we should probably turn to Psalm 37 and read what David wrote there, too.

"Trust in the Lord and do good.

THEN you will live safely in the land and prosper.

Take delight in the Lord,

and He will give you your heart's desires.

Commit EVERYTHING you do to the Lord.

TRUST Him, and He will help you.

He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,

and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

BE STILL in the presence of the Lord,

and WAIT PATIENTLY for Him to act.

Don't worry about evil people who prosper

or fret about their wicked schemes."

~Psalm 37:4-7

Did you catch that? 

Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart's desires.

That first little part is rather important.  Let's read it again, just to let it sink in:

TAKE DELIGHT IN THE LORD...

You see, God DOES want to give us the desires of our heart.  But He first wants to be the desire of our heart.  For only as we delight in God and treasure Him and want Him above all else will we truly be satisfied.  If we are looking to the things of the world to make us happy, we are going to be very unhappy indeed.  The world will only fail us.  Sure, we may have fun for awhile.  We may appear to be on top of the world.  We may think we have it all, and then some.  But really, we have nothing if we don't have God first.

Matthew 6:33 reminds us, "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need."

Jesus gave us a pretty stern warning later in Matthew, "If any of you wants to be My follow, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me.  If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it.  And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?  Is anything worth more than your soul?  For the Son of Man will come with His angels in the glory of His Father and will judge all people according to their deeds."

Yeah, Jesus isn't exactly a genie in a bottle that we rub and are granted 3 wishes. 

Thank goodness, though, because I am sure I had more than 3 requests this morning alone.  

And God heard every single one of them, whether I muttered them under my breath or screamed them at the top of my lungs or just thought them in my head.  

While I may not get everything I want, I much prefer a God who listens to everything I say and truly hears what my heart of hearts is really wanting (whether I know it or not)...a relationship with Him, to please Him, to bring Him joy, to glorify and honor His name.  That is after all why I was created...

I tend to forget that quite easily though.  I get caught up in what the world tells me I need, what I should want.  Then I run to God and ask Him for this and beg Him for that.  And I get upset if He doesn't give me the desires of my heart.

Instead, I should be working on the desires of my heart, making sure GOD is my one, sole desire.  That I delight in Him above all.  That I truly want Him more than I want anything else.

Back to David and what he shared with us in Psalm 73:

Whom have I in heaven but You?

I desire You more than anything on earth.

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,

but God remains the strength of my heart;

He is mine forever.

Those who desert Him will perish, 

for You destroy those who abandon You.

But as for me, how good it is to be near God!

I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,

and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do.

So while I got excited this morning reading this verse about God granting me the desires of my heart, I was also reminded that God should be my desire.  For only as I put Him first and find satisfaction in Him will my heart's desires be fulfilled.  

Won't you join me?  Together, let's do as David encourages in Psalm 37.  

Let's delight ourselves in the Lord...

And then, my friend, I promise you, God will indeed give you whatever your little heart desires!