Chick-Chat with Marisa

A Chip Off the Old Block

2012-02-12T17:05:00.017-05:00

On Sunday my pastor today began a series entitled "Our House". The first message in the series was subtitled 'Gods Blueprint'. We took a look at scriptures that told us what God, Christ, Paul, and Peter had to say about the church. We saw how from the ark of the covenant, to the temple, to a body of followers of Christ, that from the beginning it has all been God's design.
So often we think of the two, God and the church, as two totally separate entities. But how intricately woven together are God and we His people, when we look at what Christ himself has to say about its relational design in Matthew 16:15-19

15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Our pastor talked about the significance of the original Greek manuscripts and meaning here in this passage. In verse 18 the name Peter - which is the word "Petros" - means 'a piece of rock; a stone; a single stone; movable, shifting, or roll?ing'. And the rock (Jesus) in this same verse - the word "Petra" - means 'a projecting rock; solid formation; fixed; immovable; enduring'.
Here we can see the beautifully simple design of the church... we are (as my pastor said) chips of the old block! We are living rolling stones created from THE Foundational Rock! And that the rock we are created from is so strong that Hell itself will not win against us, and even when we are unsure, movable, shifting in our faith and our doubts, that because of Him, because of whom we are created by, if we are HIS we are victorious in His unchanging truth, and our eternity can not be changed! What a revelation that is in itself, right?

But what we didn't get into in the sermon is the next verse and it was on my mind as we stood and worshipped together in celebration of who He is. And that verse, Matthew 16:19 says "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Read that again. Do you see what we have as His church? Oh my stars, this changes how we can walk this earth, through the yuck, and in trials! This changes how we can pray, with authority, confidence, and in power that He has given us!

What I think I love most is what it says He will do when we act in faithful obedience to Him - He will confirm it in both Heaven and on earth!
And I don't know about you, but that makes me feel secure, loved, and supported in a way that only a Savior can :)

Marisa

How Do You Fill in the Blanks?

2012-02-06T13:43:00.046-05:00

"I wish that people would stop_________, I hate it when she acts like ________, He just ruins my whole day when he __________".

Maybe today you find them hard to fill in, or maybe not. But we all have moments, days even, when it's been waaaaay to easy to fill in those blanks.

But do you know someone that can always seem to fill in these blanks and many more? So much that they appear as if to go through each day in a chronic state of irritation at others? They always seem to be angry at the things others do and say. And for that matter, what they don't do and say. Constantly frustrated. Always aggravated. Annoyed. The fact is, no matter how bad their day or mood is, it's always someone elses fault?

The truth is that they are trapped in the muck and mire of letting the actions of others control how they feel about and walk through their daily life.

And like an involuntary muscle spasm, they just can't help themselves from sharing publically how they feel. They never seem to realize how truly chronically negative they really are and how much they can spread that outlook to others around them. But misery loves company, right?

It's a slippery slope. Before long the habit develops, the routine begins, and the brains rewires itself in such a skewed fashion that all it seemingly recognizes are things (whether true or not) that result in that negative attitude and response.

For most people the flags that rise when they get around these situations are like the ones we see occasionally on a beach that warn us when the current is too strong to swim in, so we keep our distance. But to the individuals who have let the patterns become so skewed, these situations are like beacons calling to them into that rip tide and they once again find themselves swept away in drama and anger.
And even more sad is that each time this happens their heart hardens a little more.

I've been there myself. So I know how easy it is to fall into that behavior. I've thought everyone else was wrong and surely trying to be on my one last nerve, that the world would be much better if all in it thought the way I did, wishing they would just act the way I want them to, and stop jacking up my day.

I recently read a quote from Beth Moore that said "Oddly, the most freeing thing we can ever do is to abdicate the throne of our own miniature kingdoms.”

In other words - we have to climb down off the throne we have unwittingly created for ourselves and look outside the smallness of what we envision for our life. Now, you may say "but I have a HUGE vision for my life!" But is it your vision or His vision? If HE isnt on the throne of your life your vision is hindered and focused on you and how others affect you. His vision includes more importantly how YOUR life and actions affect others. That's your purpose - to affect others with the gifts and talents you have uniquely been given and point them to the ONE who can give them what they need - to find THEIR purpose!

When I was trapped in a negative cycle people who loved me ask me tough questions... When will you start wondering what it is YOU arent doing instead of what everyone else needs to do? What are YOU doing to change your circumstances to find His plan? What is it you arent getting that you need, and why is it you feel you "deserve" anything? What is it that you are REALLY angry about? Could it be because you havent done the work you know you should do to be able to fill in the gaping holes and blanks that exist in the physical, emotional, and spiritual areas of your life?

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Our minds, when given over to Him, can drown out the whine of the enemy that says "its really THEM, its THEIR fault that you aren't _______, that you dont have _______, that you can't get _______".

What do we fill in our blanks with then?
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me — practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9

We fill them with the only ONE who can be our everything and who makes life worth living!

Marisa

Winter Jam Volunteers Needed!!!

2012-01-26T20:18:00.001-05:00

Ok crazy people - WINTER JAM 2012 will be in Knoxville FRIDAY MARCH 16th at Thompson Boling Arena and I need 85 VOLUNTEERS to help make it happen!!!
If you are at least 16 years of age or older, can be at Thompson Boling Arena from 4PM until well after the concert is over on FRIDAY MARCH 16th, and can be on your feet A LOT email me at winterjamvol@yahoo.com with your name, age, and phone number (assigments could be merch tables, ushers, doors, etc - assignments will NOT be made until night of show).
You will get in for free, and because of the round open design of the arena will still get to see much of the show (and hear it all of course), and most importantly will get the experience of being a part of one of the most exciting concerts this year!
DO NOT REPLY HERE - only by email at winterjamvol@yahoo.com

In What Town Am I Found...

2012-01-07T21:31:00.001-05:00

Acts 14: 8-10 "In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.
I've been thinking about the stark contrast between this town/these verses and the town /verses before where others heard Paul and Barnabus preach truth... many believed, but then there those who in their stubbornness, paranoia, and jealousy felt the need to stir up others into behaviors they may not have performed otherwise.
Acts 14:1-2 "At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers."
I have been both of these examples in my life. I have believed, and I have been the cause of others unbelief and at the very least not led them any closer by my words and actions.
But what I long to be more often is the lame man of Lystra. Where after only a short time around me and upon a closer look there would be no doubt of my faith and willingness to get up and walk - even into the fire.

He's a Marine!!!!

2011-11-17T09:06:00.005-05:00

Around 7:40am yesterday, Nov 16th 2011, my son Recruit David Cunningham having finished The Crucible and 13 weeeks of Boot Camp on Parris Island SC became a United States Marine. Ooh Rah!
As he entered back onto the base after 54 grueling straight hours of being tested to his physical and mental limits with little food and sleep, exhausted, drained, blistered and hungry with an ear infection, he and Alpha Company and his own Platoon 1090 gathered around a replica of the Iwo Jima Marine Memorial. Then my son was handed his Eagle Globe and Anchor pin from his DI, able to finally sing the Marine Corp Hymn and proudly claim the title of United States Marine!

I so wish I could have seen it - but I am also glad for him that he had that private moment with the platoon he has grown to love and work with as one, and with his DI's who have pushed him, stretched him, and taught him. What a special experience and incredible memories they must all have together.

Now after counting months and weeks that he has been gone I count days and hours until I see his face, hug him hard, and kiss his cheeks on Family Day and Graduation Day for the first time since August 29th - that day he hugged me one last time and climbed into a van that would take him away to a sand flea infested place that would change forever who he was.

Proud? I cant even begin to say how proud I am of him. I really thought the tears had run dry but each time I think of him marching back onto that Parade Deck of Parris Island Marine Corp Recruit Depot and how he must have felt to realize at last that the 13 week test was over, the tears began to flow again. And as I think of the relief and fulfillment, pride and thankfulness he must have felt as that EGA pin was placed in his hand, the tears flow even faster.
Yesterday the blonde headed little boy who used to bring me dandelions in a dixie cup became Pvt David Cunningham - a United States Marine... Semper Fi!

God thank you for showing my son a clear path, for calling him to it, for setting him on it, for his heart of service you have given him, for watching over him, keeping him, equipping him, bringing him through this test of honor and character - I once again hand my son, Marine Pvt David Cunningham over to you for your plans for his life, thank you for the gift and priviledge of having him in mine, and for the unique blessing of becoming a very proud Marine Mom... Amen!

Joyful on the Journey
Marisa

The Crucible

2011-11-14T12:26:00.006-05:00

It has begun.
At 2am this morning my son Rct David Cunningham stepped off with Platoon 1090, "The Nasty 90", on The Crucible, to become food deprived, sleep deprived, and to be put through a battery of mental and physical challenges for 54 straight hours to determine at the end whether or not he becomes a United States Marine.

I can't imagine the unique combination of excitement and nerves he must be feeling. I still can't believe the little pudgy blong headed child I remember with the infectious laugh is the same young man that stood before me on August 29th 2011 at the Knoxville Military Entrance Processing Center pledging to serve and fight for his country, then climbed in a van to leave for 13 grueling weeks of boot camp.

The time has come for the last thing that stands betwen my son and that Eagle Globe and Anchor pin.

I have my porch light on, a candle in the window, and am praying for him to finish strong. Will you join me?

Pray that when he becomes so tired that his muscles shake with exhaustion that he will seek and receive a supernatural strength to go on.
Pray that when he is so hungry his hands tremble and his stomach aches that the Word of God will come to him, steady him, and feed his soul.
Pray that when he is losing focus from lack of sleep that a sharpness of mind will flood in as he thinks about how many brave men and women have gone before him and endured.
Pray that as his feet and back become so soar he feels he can't stand or walk that he will remember his God carries Him and has called and equipped him for this task.
And pray that if feelings of possible defeat creep in that God will bring to David's mind all of us who love him, that he will feel our prayers and thoughts for him, and that he will be renewed and refreshed to reach the end with pride and become A United States Marine.

Thank you for loving me and my family!
Marisa

Can God Speak Through Angry Birds?

2011-11-12T17:40:00.002-05:00

Yes, Angry Birds.
It’s been around for some time now but I admit to still playing it when I need either mindless distraction or to think very specifically on something. It really is amazing how one thing can offer both. But lots of things are like that for me. It’s all about my intention. Walking is another example. I can just zone out. I can sing and worship God. I can analyze something to death with each step. I can create my shopping list. Or I can carry on a conversation about deep and meaningful things.

And in ALL things God can decide if he wants to speak, right? He is God after all.
Well, the other day He used a quick game of Angry Birds to speak volumes to me.
Well, it was supposed to have been a quick game :)
But there I was though after about 20 minutes (instead of the intended 5) still flinging cannonball birds and penguin bombs at those dang fancy caged Rio Birds, breathing heavy, a small drop of sweat actually forming between my shoulder blades as I sat hunched over my Droid X, when God tapped me on the shoulder and asked me this question...
"What if you purposefully aimed Me at things that were being held captive?"
Of course I Scooby Doo'd God with a "hhuurrhh???"
I clearly heard Him then ask me "How many more bars would be broken on the cages that imprison the captive if you so carefully aimed My Word, My Compassion, My Love, My Patience, My Wisdom, and My Son at them? If you my child worked half as hard contemplating my Word, considering MY timing, MY path, how to approach the one in need with what I teaching you and want to teach you, if you did that with the same consideration as you do this game, then just think what could be happening for my Glory all around you!"

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with Angry Birds - I for one am all for a little release - and when those pigs grunt and laugh and taunt me, I'm taking as many out as possible, laughing maniacally while doing it too!
It was just a reminder for me that there is a lesson in everything, and also that there is a chance that anything could become an obsession (now don’t confuse this with healthy obsessions, such as my healthy obsession for Mac Powell of Third Day), and that seemingly harmless things can sometimes pull us and distract us unnecessarily.
What I began noticing though with newly opened eyes though was the precision, the intense concentration, the planning, the time, and the emotion with which I played this Angry Birds Game... I mean I am IN THIS THING, aware of the affect it can have on my heart beat, my breathing, how hard I am concentrating, how my heart leaps when I clear a scene with all pigs dead and three stars earned!
So I begin to imagine if I put that much effort forth how much more satisfying it would be to see freedom in Christ occur more often!

This past Sunday Scott told a story of a baby circus elephant that grew up since birth chained to a wooden 6 inch stake driven into the ground. And how as he got older and bigger he never quite realized he could simply pull away from what held him captive and be free - all because he was trained to think he was a captive.

Satan does that to us. We do that to ourselves. Satan does that to our friends.
What if I put all the same Angry Birds effort into digging into Gods Word, learning who Christ really is, what the Holy Spirit truly can do, and believe that I do truly have a God who is "able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" Ephesians 3:20

But did you catch "according to his power that is at work within us"?

The power that I have because of Christ shed blood and sacrifice, and His Holy Spirit living in me is beyond my comprehension, beyond my understanding, and if I'm being honest - sometimes beyond my belief.
We decide how much of that power works in us - He doesn’t. It’s already there when you become a child of God... when you become a co-heir of Christ to the reward of Heaven its given to us. How much is at work depends on how much of ourselves we are willing to give up, give over. And that means trusting Him enough to give Him anything that holds you back, holds you down, and holds you captive

So as we get closer to the new year, when the holidays get us thinking about what changes we want to make in our lives, how we want to impact our world more, how we would like to be able to grab more of that "abundant life" that Jesus came to give us, I think it’s time we consider making a choice to be all in, to be intentional with our time, our energy, and that we become purposeful and intentional with passion. Be purposeful with how much of Him we want, how much of Him we share, how much more we should aim to go deeper and invest in the lives of others, to finally pull up our own 6 inch stake, and help someone else dislodge theirs.

Its time we fling the biggest weapon we have - and let Him truly set us all free!

Joyfully on the Journey,
Marisa

A Church By Any Other Name...

2011-11-01T20:00:00.018-04:00

I know I can be a bit naive occasionally, I realize that sometimes I can have a pie in the sky way of looking at things, that I can see the world through so called rose colored glasses, but sometimes I am honestly perplexed by a those of us who categorize ourselves as Christ followers, born again believers, and Christians. Yes, that means I am sometimes disappointed in myself too.

Most recently my confusion has been over some comments being directed towards "Church at the Joe" (Monday night services beginning Nov 7th at the Cotton Eyed Joe).
What began as a vision by one man quickly caught fire. Feeling it was God led, the churches leadership and Pastor that are hosting it moved forward with God opening doors only He could.
"Church at the Joe" is an offering designed for the unchurched and dechurched, for people who may not feel comfortable trying a traditional church first but who are in need. It's for those seeking and needing more from this life that it can ever offer without Christ. It's for some even already purposefully seeking God and a relationship with Christ, for some who may have had a bad experience with 'the church', and for those who have a deep personal relationship with Christ but maybe don't feel like they fit in where they have visited before.

So, with so much need I'm somewhat baffled right now about a few recent comments shared by some folks that are a part of the very category mentioned in the first paragraph of this post...

*You can't have church in a bar - Jesus wouldn't dare go in a bar if He was here"
Really? What Jesus did they read about in their bible? I read about the one that went wherever He could minister to those that needed Him. And Church at the Joe is held on a night that is normally closed where no alcohol is being served. I don't get the problem.
Maybe then the issue is that 'sinners' are there normally. Why is it that we so easily forget that Christ met, had fellowship, and shared His Fathers Love in the homes and places of business of sinners. Or in other words - those despised by the Pharisees.
And don't we all sit next to sinners each day that we gather together in our comfortable chairs and pews each week, including the seat in which my own rear end resides? Maybe its just me, just my seat.

*"It's a disgrace to have a church in a building that houses a bar"
I was under the impression that the church is alive, made up of people led by those who love and follow Christ and what He is about, people willing to meet folks in need where they are. I think of the church as those who don't stand back in a comfort and wait on 'them' to come to 'us' to find 'Him'... that the church reaches out, serves, and goes, just like Christ did when He put on flesh and walked this very earth.

*The only people that go to Cotten Eyed Joe for anything just want to get drunk and hook up"
Some people just go to dance and have a good time with friends, they don't drink at all. Some of them need Jesus. And the ones that find life so difficult that they constantly turn to a substance to numb the pain or forget the day, shouldn't they have every chance to be set free with the love of Christ?
And by the way, here's a real humdinger - some people like to dance that actually know Jesus very well :)

*That's not a real church"
Oh, so a church can only be in a building with a sign out front that designates it as such. And here I was thinking that anywhere people gathered where Gods love and the Gospel of Christ is shared, and people are loved on, becomes Holy Ground.

*The Ten Commandments clearly tells us 'Sunday' is the day we worship"
Hmmm... I've yet to find a version of the bible that says that myself.
I won't even mention that most of us at least occasionally eat, gas up, shop, and get other needs met at places on Sundays that require others to work. And because of that very reason some may get to come to Church at the Joe. Oh wait, I guess I did mention it :)

Please understand that I am not trying to start a debate, a fight, in fact I am sooooo not even looking for comments. I'm simply having a hard time today with how narrow the focus, how trapped and captive by tradition, and how uncomfortable at change that we "christians" can still sometimes be.

And believe me when I say I sometimes have to battle my own hang ups as I step outside my self created box of service - I do.

And please hear me when I say that I don't think that 'anything goes' in the name of the Gospel, not at all. But what I am saying is I really had hoped that we were closer than we had been to not being our own worst enemy when it comes to sharing the message of unconditional love of Christ and fulfilling the last words He gave us while He walked among us...

Matthew 28:18-20 "Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

They have no idea how long this offering will exist - it could be very short lived, or it could grow to see thousands enter through the doors. But you see, it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things if its God's design and desire. All that is required is faithfulness on their part to follow where He leads to reach those who desparately need Him.

So, I guess finally I have to wonder why it's okay, radically commendable, and even 'Holy' to follow God to reach into the harshest places of degradation in a third world country in the name of offering Eternal Salvation, but we have issues finding the worthiness of reaching out with love to those in our own community and inviting them to meet a Savior, just because the 4 walls within which we do it doesn't look like where most of us spend time worshipping each week?

And if we feel that way what does that say about our heart as we stand inside our comfortable traditional churches, lifting up songs of praise all the while asking God to give us His heart, to use us, and to show us His Glory?

http://www.churchatthejoe.org/
https://www.facebook.com/ChurchAtTheJoe

Which Candy Am I?

2011-11-01T09:18:00.007-04:00

Halloween is over and the race for some to get those candy mark downs are on!
And just a few days ago I saw the familiar media stories surface that do each year - what our favorite candy we buy this time of year says about our personality. Kinda fun, but supposedly because Snickers and Reeses Cups are a couple of mine, I am some strange enigma of both being a "crowd-pleaser who makes friends in every situation" and "someone who tends to be creative, private and sometimes misunderstood".
I already sometimes have enough trouble figuring out who I am on any given day without some scientist or marketing intern telling me what my sweet tooth means when it rears its ugly head!

But God did use the news story to remind me of two things.

#1 That it's all of us thrown in the big bag of life together with all our differences that makes Life sweet:
1 Cor. 12: 4-6 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
That when the bag is opened each type of candy that is contained within will sweeten the life of someone different. And without the differences in us think of how one dimensional our effect would be on one another for His Glory - each of us has a specific purpose!

#2 That I myself am a assorted bag of candy:
James 1:17-20 All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
All that He has equipped me with at any given time, the different aspects of me, all the sides of my personality, the changes as I grow older, the sides of me that different people bring out - its all a part of how He wants me to serve. Every day I am someone slightly different than the day before so I can relate to someone new, or at least someone familiar in a whole new way!

Psalm 139:14 "I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works, and my soul knows very well."

I am to revel in my differences, in who He has made me to be!

2 Corinthians 9:8, "And God is able to make all (not just some) grace abound toward you; that you always having all sufficiency in all things may abound to every good work."

Whoever I am to wake up each day and be, He has equipped me for it. All I need to do is be faithful to arise and ask Him to help me unwrap who that is and celebrate the sweetness and wonder of it all!

Marisa

I'm Weak!

2011-10-27T07:34:00.006-04:00

I am weak and I love it! There's so much joy to be found in the truth that I CAN'T will or make things happen. I need help. I need others. I need Jesus.

I find myself in the middle of several journeys right now. During the last few weeks one of my journeys has increased and become very very intense as I try to find and do the right things for my 82 year old Mom and her health and her well being. It's a long fought battle that really has been years in the making. But over the past 5 years it has increasingly intensified into a daily prayer for guidance, timing, wisdom, and really for a miracle. Maybe you know the kind of journey I'm talking about... the kind that's stressful, worrisome, that leaves you fearful, and that can seem to suck the wind from your sails. The kind that can wreck you, and that if goes emotionally unchecked rules your life. The kind that until you finally get the break you've needed, you didn't even fully understand just how never ending the underlying tension of it all was. When just a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel is enough for you to realize that a little further down the road you will learn more about yourself and what the journey has done in your life than you can ever imagine.

BUT there are common threads in the hard journeys if you look for them with expectation that will offer you peace, comfort, and are actually beyond beautiful.
Remember the simple song most of us first learned as a child...
"Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong."

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

The thread of my weakness, the thread of my need, and oh the power of the strongest thread of all - the scarlet thread of Jesus! The scarlet thread that wraps around me, is interlaced in and through every fiber of my being, that is laid out sacrifically before me to follow as I walk every journey. It's woven into all the threads that make up the tapestry of my life.

"Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong."

I am His child. I am His little one. My weakness IS the perfect platform for Him to work miracles in my life and reveal Himself to the world around me... Oh yes, He loves me.

So I'll shout from the rooftops, on the mountain tops and in the valleys... 'I AM WEAK AND IN NEED OF A SAVIOR LIKE JESUS'!

Joyful on the Journey,
Marisa

Taken Captive

2011-10-21T07:01:00.004-04:00

I don't know about you but sometimes I notice occasionally I can slip into a pattern as I begin my weekend. I can tend to let my guard down so to speak. It's time to unload the weight of the week after all, right? To forget the aggravations I may have had, to relax, have fun, unwind. But what I find is when I do without the conscious acknowledgement that my guard is down, by the time I get to church on Sunday the voices that I have allowed to defeat me in the past began trying to pull up a chair.

They can begin to woo me in a sense, telling me that I deserve a break, to forget about who or what needs my attention. Sometimes they try to create doubt, suggesting that I really didn't accomplish anything of value this week because I didn't get everything checked off my list, that I didn't measure up. Maybe because I lost my temper several times the voice may begin to wage war telling me that I really haven't gained as much ground as I thought on that, that I took two steps back instead. Oh, and this one definitely, that here I am at the end of another week without the answers I so desperately want, so maybe God is through with me in this area of my life.

And yes, sometimes a weekday here and there can be completely filled with those thoughts if I'm not careful too.

But God's Word in 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us that as His "we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

This tells me that everything that goes against what my God really thinks of me should be taken captive and locked away in the pit with the enemy where it belongs.

Because “The thief comes only to steal, and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it to the fullest.” John 10:10

What the enemy says about me is not truth. I choose today God's voice of truth!

Psalm 139:14 says that “I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
Psalm 17 says that "I am the apple of His eye."
Deuteronomy 7:6 says that I am "His treasured possession."
Ephesians 2:10 even says that "I am Gods masterpiece".

And what He thinks of me, and sees in me is this: I am what His plan for me is, I am what He created me to be even if I haven't attained it... "He who began the good work within us, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. " Philippians 1:6

If I take those thoughts that are untrue captive here's what really happens... I more importantly allow GOD to take me captive, I let HIM take my heart captive. And I do so want to be taken captive and swept away in love by my King every day!

"Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Phillippians 4:8

Marisa

Missing You

2011-10-17T16:48:00.008-04:00

I miss my son. And I miss my Dad
I am stuck in the house this week, sick with a bad upper respiratory infection, and I'm missing my son, Recruit David Cunningham who has about 5 weeks to go in Marine Bootcamp in Parris Island SC.
And I miss my Daddy, who passed away on April 1 2005.
It's so funny. I'm sick, and there is so much going on in my world right now, and next to my husband Todd, these are the two people I most want to talk with.
But not just about my "stuff", I so want to know what new things my son is discovering about Himself, what God is doing within him right now, and to hug him to me and hold him. I wish I could ask my Dad what I should do about some of the decisions about my mom, about what he would do if it was him in this season of waiting I am in, to get his Godly advice, and oh how I miss his great hugs.

What I have discovered the past few days? I've learned all over again I can talk to them, in my heart, and through my Heavenly Father. I can tell HIM how I feel about them both. I can ask him to continue to do a great work in my sons life, and to show me how to be a better mom to David. And I can ask God to bring to my mind the good advice my Dad gave me in years past, and to remember decisions I saw my Dad make in my lifetime, both good and bad, and to help me learn from them.

O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8

The past few days may have brought fever, congestion, nausea, lots of snot (TMI?), a sore chest and throat from coughing and more... but its also brought me some sweet quiet time to pray, talk with God and about the ones I love and miss so much, and to remember :)

Marisa

Is This Thing on?

2011-10-15T10:49:00.010-04:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure of being back live on the radio. I have been blessed to be able to do this with a few different people since what was my fulltime gig ended back on Dec 31st. And each and everytime I realize what a precious opportunity God has provided me once again, even if it's only temporary.
To experience connecting so intimately in such a public way is an incredible mystery to me. I always wonder about whoever He has led to be listening at just that time... what are they going through, what do they need, what one thing may ring true for them, or least make them begin to consider thinking differently about either their situation or that of someone they love? This amazes me.
I remember wondering at times in the past while sharing something in my life, when immediate feedback didn't come, "is this thing on"?

I suppose God feels that way with me quite a bit.

My friend Jenny and I talked yesterday about how sometimes a dream isn't seen fulfilled as we hoped, and how sometimes the waiting seems to bring an answer of 'no' to the prayer you have spent so much time on your knees for. We talked about how we should respond to that. Leaninging in, resting not stressing, positioning ourselves to be ready to receive the next thing He gives us, being all in wherever He has us at the moment, and worshipping Him while we wait.

As I drove home I begin to imagine sometimes God is surely behind His own microphone at times, tapping it with His finger, and looking at me saying "Is this thing even on? Child, do you not hear what I'm desperately trying to tell you? Why can't you be quiet long enough to hear the answer I am offering you in this moment? I have a direction, a path, why won't you pay attention?

"You have seen many things, but have paid no attention; your ears are open, but you hear nothing." Isaiah 42:20

In my car on Magnolia Avenue I began sensing Him speaking deep things to my heart. "How often while I'm trying to do something in your life are you so fixated on what you feel you need most from me that you miss much more important miracles I am trying to work through you? While your heart only see's the muck and mire of your deep fears, I may be offering you more vision than you can imagine. Daughter, you are sometimes so focused on YOUR biggest question that you totally miss MY timeliest answer for what I think is more important".

"My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures." Prov. 2:1-4

It demands action from me - listen, tune my ears, concentrate, ask, search, seek.

If I am tuned in to His spirit, really listening (talking with Him, not at Him), seeking Him in everything around me, then I wont miss anything He is doing or requiring of me to reach HIS next step.

I constantly need to check to make sure I'm not selfishly placing those blinders on again. The ones that cause my vision to become so tunnel shaped I miss HIS bigger vision for my life right now.
And that there is no such thing as 'too frequent' when it comes to getting my hearing checked :)

Hello? Is this thing on?

Marisa

Beth Moore Comes to Knoxville in 2012!

2011-10-13T20:59:00.004-04:00

Beth Moore Live in Knoxville!

Aug 10-11, 2012

Group pricing for 50 or more

800-254-2022 or
lifeway.com/livingproof for details

A weekend of Bible teaching an worship
with Beth Moore & Travis Cottrell

Really, More Change?

2011-10-06T13:41:00.012-04:00

Well, one could think that my life got away from me there for a bit, its been awhile since I have blogged. But God told me to be a little quieter for awhile.
As He does from time to time God stills my hand and I know its for a very specific reason. It usually tells me I need to get ready. Prepare. He is about His business and I must remain alert. Sometimes I listen, sometimes I don't - like all of us. This time I listened.

I find myself in a very very different place right now for sure.
We are preparing to move from our home (we are still trying to get all sub contractors on the same schedule and ourselves too) to get those $40,000+ repairs done to our house.
My 25 year old son, David, is now a Recruit currently in Marine bootcamp at Parris Island SC, soon to become a part of the Ammunition and Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit. Ok, really?This is my baby!
And my mom has just transitioned out of time in the hospital into a nursing home for therapy and rehab. I arrived home from a work trip with Todd to a phone call from the ER saying she was there and being admitted with a collapsed lung and more and that I needed to come quickly.
The other day I had to resign from this weekends Esther Experience as the facilitator - after much prayer I realized I just must be where He would have me be and made the very painful decision to not go where my heart had been ready to go.
I may have to also pack up my moms apartment if they say she cant go home again. There are difficult decisions ahead. The kind that can break hearts. Break relationships sometimes.

I really have to laugh here - HA! Had I really gotten to a point where "change" had sort of become an exciting thing in my life? Once I had gotten a little of the 2011 calendar behind me regarding all the changes that came my way at the first of this year, I didn't dread it as much as I had in the past. But exciting? Well, yes. I had.

But now this? When so many of the previous changes haven't been resolved? Now is when even more gets added on?

I do know from past experience that as I have prepared for the things I knew were coming I could sense and see myself letting Him make me stronger. Its easier then right? But it's always the ones that blindside me that cause me to try and circle my own wagons, and make me want to just crawl in bed and deny there is anything even going on. I tend to react that way, at least at first. I want to be left in the darkness alone. Just let me sleep how about it?

But I really don't wan't to be left alone. I don't want that. So after many tears, many cries that feel as if they are being shouted out of the wilderness, I pray. I cling to close friends. And I cling even closer to a God who was not surprised at all by the year I have had so far. He is fighting for me. For my son. For my mom. For my life. And all that encompasses.

He is my protection - "But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard." Isaiah 52:12

He is my Hero and He fights for me - "Let them give glory to the LORD and proclaim his praise in the islands. The LORD will march out like a hero, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies. Isaiah 42:12-13

He leads me along this path I am on - "Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 40:4-5

I am His Princess whom He loves - "You have been set apart as holy to the LORD your God, and he has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be his own special treasure." Deut. 14:2

I do not know what wonderous and mysterious things He is up to in my life right now. But I do know this - He has been about it since before the foundations of time. And I also believe it is not about me.
He will finish the work He has begun and it will reveal my Christ, my life and those whom it touches will be His Glory - because it's all about Him :)

Marisa

Girl Meets World

2011-08-16T08:08:00.010-04:00

When my kids were younger and they were out in the yard with their 'bug-houses' catching fireflies or when I caught my own fireflies in a mason jar with holes punched out of the lid. The day my Dad married Todd and me. Those magical warm summer evenings when I was a kid as the street lights were first flickering on in Sunnyview Subdivision. Seeing my kids see the ocean for the first time.
I'm feeling a tad nostalgic this morning.
And as I drank my coffee I flipped on the TV and the series finale of 'Boy Meets World' was on. They were using a lot of clips and snippets from the 7 years the series ran on the air to make a point of how much things have changed over that time for the characters. How they had grown.
They of course in the very last scene made their way back to the school classroom where we met them for the first time to say their last goodbye.
The last few weeks I've been having these flashes of memories - more so than usual - of points in time of days gone by. And I found myself this morning sitting and crying into my coffee I watched Cory, Shawn, Eric and Topanga reliving theirs. But it was a good cry, you know?
Not that there weren't extremely bad times I have encountered. There were many. And not that the stressful hurtful times in my adult life haven't ever had me longing to return to a 'simpler place in time' - wishing I could run barefoot again with my dog Socks to the neighbors where a game of kickball would be getting ready to begin, and just play and forget what I dont want to deal with.
But today the memories are confirmations. Confirmations that tell me as things change that more good times are to come - they'll just look different.
I am thankful for such poignant points in the timeline of my life. Good and bad.
Girl must meet world after all - now where did I put that mason jar... :)

Joyful on the Journey
Marisa

Are You a But Nazi?

2011-08-13T08:04:00.016-04:00

Their immediate response to any thing presented before them or anyone else within earshot is a "but". No matter what there is a perfection never achieved (in THEIR mind) of the given situation whether it involves them or not. And in fact, they seem incapable of not imparting their opinion in these instances. Its like they have diarrhea of the mouth. Yeah, that pun was intended :)

For some reason the But Nazi feels the need to point out what is lacking, what needs to be different, that if we think this is good they know how it could be better - the way it should be. They may think they can argue that hey, they're simply pointing out the 'reality' of the situation. Pointing out the 'facts'. They're 'just sayin'?'

Don't be fooled. If this is you, you are a But Nazi.

I can be honest with you here, right? Ok then. I really dislike dealing with the ongoing, ever present negativity of a persistent pessimist.
Because they can bring me down if I'm not careful.

We each have so much influence over one another. And the fact that someone wastes my time consistently pointing out whats not ideal about their situation or mine really burns my toast to be honest.
Don't get me wrong, we can share our concerns, our burdens if you will with one another. We should. We're here to hold one another up. But in holding one another up and sharing what we feel we are also to glorify the Father and what He is doing!
And when its constantly the opposite of that, when there is never a conversation that isn't perpetually peppered with them poo-pooing everything in some way, that is a person I really begin to dread seeing. I want to turn and head the other direction.
Yep, I just typed that. Because its true. You know what I'm talking about even if you are the But Nazi in question - because no matter how negative you may be you cant stand to hear someone else be that negative!

They say that misery loves company.

I totally understand the need to commiserate - heck, I need to as well from time to time. But Proverbs 27:17 says that "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."

I get exhausted by anything else. By the "Buts", the "what ifs", the "if onlys". To be honest, the But Nazi is offering a disservice to drain their friends emotionally all the time with the need to look at the down side of everything.
And the But Nazi never sharpens anyone - they dull the blade, pour water on the fire of passion, and honestly they are admitting that they don't listen. That what wisdom or encouragement their friend tries to offer them doesn't matter. That what the But Nazi thinks is more important than what their friend thinks.

That kind of gives me an icky feeling in my stomach, you?

There is a verse in that same chapter of Proverbs that you don't hear commented on near as much... Proverbs 27:11 says "Be wise, my child, and make my heart glad. Then I will be able to answer my critics."

Fill those up around you with joy, with the silver linings, with the reminders of the good that is, the brighter side of life, with the blessings that are there each day in each thing. Because when the disasters come, when the tough things that really truly do matter in the grand scheme happen, when the critics are shouting - wouldn't it be much more glorifying to your Creator to have your words be the ones that ring true in the hearts and minds of others that point directly to a God who is sovereign and is truly "working all things together for the good of those that love the Lord'?
They simply don't ring true if in your daily life you don't walk out the fact that you believe that.
Before you get upset with me, I say this because I have had times in my life when I was the But Nazi. I never want to become that person again. I didn't like me then. And I know that I can tend to take on the temperament of those around me. I want to protect myself and others around me.

Let's choose to "Make their hearts glad each day". Let's be one that our friends will run to when times are hard, because they know after we listen with sympathy and understanding, that they can count on us to sharpen them and lift them up. Because they know we will point out what they have to live for, we will remind them that the unexpected rain of the day just helped cool things off, that God is using the trial to strengthen them, that the day may not have ended the way they thought it would but because it didn't they encountered someone God intended for them to. And they will believe it because we walk out what we talk.
Our motto?
"NO MORE BUT NAZIS"

Be Joyful on the Journey
Marisa

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

2011-08-04T15:53:00.007-04:00

I keep hearing that line from the
David Bowie song in my head that says
"Turn and face the strain, ch-ch-changes...
Just gonna have to be a different man,
Time may change me, But I can't trace time"

They still use it in tons of tv commercials,
so even if you're a bit younger than me
you've probably heard a little of it.

In 15 days my son leaves for Marine Bootcamp, hopefully the $40,000 worth of damage repairs begin finally on our home that have created a bit of unbalance lately, one door I had been wondering about regarding my future has finally closed completely it seems, another door will either swing open or slam shut very shortly I feel, and a personal relationship will either become better than its been in years or deteriorate even more all within the span of one conversation to come soon.
And of course there in the unknown of what tomorrow in itself brings :)

But at the same time I feel the excitement in times like these.

In the pit of my stomach where my flesh battles with uneasiness, where I want to quiet the churning by reciting and singing the familiar songs whose words I know by heart, I also feel the huge wispy wings of the butterflies fluttering against one another that I get when I'm expecting something new, and good, and different, and a sudden peaked interest rises to learn songs with words I don't yet know.

Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is with you,
He is might to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.

I think I'm gonna choose to let Him teach me the lyrics of those new songs He wrote for me before the beginning of time, and that He's singing over me at this very moment. In fact I wanna learn them so I can sing them with Him - at the top of my lungs!

Joyful on the Journey
Marisa

Am I a "Christian"?

2011-07-27T07:30:00.028-04:00

We throw the word around pretty freely. As a noun, an adjective, a way of life. But what I continually see is "Christian" and "Christianity" both ridiculed, misused, laughed at, wielded, toted, put on a pedestal, and also become weapons.

My pastor is working his way through the letters to the 7 churches in Revelation as he prepares to lead us into the book of Acts.
I am more than a bit anxious.

See I know we are currently not the church of Christ we are called to be. Because I am not the daughter of God I a called to be.
I soooo get that I am a work in progress, I get that more than you know.
What makes me anxious is the willingness I have or wont have when really put to the test in life - of truly saying I am willing to give myself completely over to the Spirit. Do I truly want to see what He may or may not call me to do, and who He may be asking me to be?
I know that this time will be a huge catalyst for some challenging things to consider as a body of believers and as individuals.
I hope we "Christians" are ready. Ready to see how much we have to change. Ready to experience either so much more of the Holy Spirit we will feel overcome by the weight of it, or ready to see it move on because we aren't willing to see our failure at being the bride we are.
Acts 20:30-31
Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!

I love my church and God's hand is on it without a doubt. But as my pastor has said many times, God can remove His hand of blessing too. And He will if we aren't willing to ditch the American label we have created of "Christianity" and become the church of Acts we are called to be - living and loving completely by and in the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:44-47 All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
What if it was our unity in love and life as believers of Christ that set us apart and not a label we have created?

What if we were so in tune to His Spirit, and loved and served one another so well that we needed no label of "Christianity"?
What if people weren't drawn to a "Christian" and our version of the drop in and drop out mission trip, our old school VBS mode of operation, our recipe for conversion that rarely includes the follow up of then actually doing life together, by our "Christian lingo", or the recited evangelism scriptures we have rehearsed time and time again that come with no previous real conversations, by the track handed out as we canvas neighborhoods only to retreat to our own where we never talk to our neighbors on either side - but they were drawn to being welcomed onto our front porches for friendship, that they were shown compassion through us just being real about our own lives, our own struggles, our own experience of being loved well by God because we decided that there was something to the freedom of living with and for a God willing to go to such lengths for us, by our true concern for human life around us, by our lack of judgement of them, by the fact we actually find reasons to respect them and their differences from us instead of "pitying" them - what if they were drawn to God by being loved by us because we honestly decide we are gonna love and see as He loves and sees?
What would happen if we approached a relationship without even using the word Christian, Christianity, redemption, repentance, judgement, or eternity - and instead we earned the right to eventually go there by loving them so well that they couldn't help but ask us out of an overwhelming curiosity to tell them what makes us different?
What if they didn't call us "Christians"?
What if they just called us "friends"?

Make War!

2011-07-25T07:36:00.005-04:00

"Then Esther sent this message to Mordecai: 'Go and gather together all the Jews of Shushan and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day; and I and my maids will do the same; and then, though it is strictly forbidden, I will go in to see the king; and if I perish, I perish.'"
Esther 4:15-16 (TLB)

Maybe it sounds cliche, but its never been truer "Love and Life IS a Battlefield"... and today the spiritual warfare that surrounds us has never been more powerful.
In the face of fear, a possible or a looming and certain battle, one that could even mean our own life, how will we react? Do we become paralyzed by panic? Or do we meet it head on with confidence?
What if it requires more than anything before ever has? Do we truly understand who not only has our back, but goes before us and covers us on all sides?

The Esther Experience Oct 7th - 9th is a weekend designed by God to get us battle ready, to meet every obstacle understanding who we are as women, and what unique things our Creator has given us to fight with honor and power over what seeks to destroy us and those we love... Engage, and wage war each and every day under the banner of Jehovah Nissi!

Space is very limited - get registered today at http://www.livingvessels.org

Courageous the Movie - coming this September

2011-07-22T07:39:00.000-04:00

I Want Whats Mine

2011-07-13T09:31:00.007-04:00

As I drove home from Paducah KY I was contemplating some of the changes in my life recently. I was pondering on the things that at one point brought me feelings of anxiousness, concern, even panic at moments - and to be totally honest still sometimes try to grab at my heart for a few split seconds sometimes when I awake at 2am in the dark of night.
But what I am learning over and over in such grand and small ways is that if those changes had not come to my life, then the new things I am experiencing now would never have touched my life either.
For instance I would not have been able to take time away to join my husband for the last few days on his work related jaunt. A couple of what on the surface could be seen as regular old weekdays by many standards, but that upon closer examination are shown to reveal so much more.

Like an unexpected sweet time of silly road talk, lots of laughter, precious romantic moments with the man I love, finding a beautiful new vacation spot we would love to return to soon because we took a spontaneous side trip along the way, getting to meet singer Jeff Jenkins from The Voice in the middle of the Pancake Pantry in Nashville on the way, seeing a wall of creative artwork along the river in Paducah that uniquely paints the history of a town I mistakenly saw as unassuming before, and seeing many beautiful examples of God's creation all along the way.
Oh, if we could just forget what we think we need or want, and let Him give us what He wants us to have, there is nothing in our wildest dreams that could match the ongoing blessings of receiving what is good and perfectly designed by God for us each... "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
1 Corinthians 2:9

I want what is mine - from Him - in all its perfection :)

Joyful on the Journey
Marisa

The Start of a Great Week!

2011-07-11T07:22:00.001-04:00

Make it a week of purpose... Psalm 37:3-4 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Decide that whatever comes you will give it to Him immediately, look for the divine appointments that have been set in motion, live in each moment and dont worry bout the next - He is Faithful, seek Him with intensity and ask Him to place in your heart a burning passion for what is His best for you!

Marisa

A Refinement by Any Other Name

2011-07-07T08:53:00.025-04:00

In the refining we are cleansed, we are polished, and we are changed...
Zechariah 13:9 I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘These are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’

I am always so thankful and encouraged by how in every season God has placed a few people in my life that are consistantly on a parallel path with me. Yesterday I was chatting with one of them, catching up on life, ministry, a lot of things. And we ended up talking about some similar refinement going on right now and about why we so often only think of a 'refining' as a time of suffering, of pain, a trial, of great change that we in the flesh will see as a dark time. Those are things God does use to grow us and stretch us for sure and how we relate to His suffering.
James1:2-4 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

But I know that my own refinement also comes from seeking with purpose to fully experience God's Holy Spirit. I DON'T want to wait on the trials or valleys to bring me closer to Him. I know those are a part of what will come when its the perfect time for deep profound life altering truth and change. But I want to run after Him before those come and offer more up of me for DAILY refinement, all the while looking for the lead of love His Holy Spirit offers to draw me closer to who He is and what He wants to do. There is soooo much to be said for the sweeping romance of Him speaking through every relationship, every twist and turn my feet and car take me along, at every store I frequent, every conversation I have, and in every moment He has created :)

I loved the fact that recently my pastor posed the following question when he did: He said "I have asked the question 'How can I get more of the Holy Spirit?' I now believe that the real question should be 'How much of me does the Holy Spirit have?' "
What I sense from God in my life right now is that I MUST seek to give more of myself over in every way DAILY because He has something special in store for me DAILY and I need to be able to see, hear, feel, sense Him at every turn to receive it!

Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.."
Fearless living - that is abundance!

But the biggest thing I am understanding about this? Is that the refining that leads to that life of abundance, the guidance, the wisdom, the right choices, and the change in me He desires, truly does hinge on how in tune I am to His Holy Spirit so I can receive what HE DEEMS as the abundance uniquely planned for me inside of each day.

I'm Out of Control!

2011-06-23T06:55:00.024-04:00

As I settled onto the Little Pigeon River with 22 other ladies recently I quickly learned that I had never been as aware of how short my arms and legs are and how completely and utterly out of control I was in a lime green tube much too small for my big behind. I was not in control of my surroundings.

You know, There are times in my life where I immediately understand and hear what God is saying, and times where lessons build on top of one another until He is ready to show me something and my memory is pricked as if by a small electrical shock. Its then He chooses to remind me suddenly of all the seemingly random conversations that have taken place and are tied together, the items I have taken time to read that are now revealed to hold a common theme I didnt recognize before, and the circumstances that have happened that are finally set before me in a timeline that uncovers the lesson like a sweet piece of chocolate I have craved.

As we began our tubing journey on this Saturday morning and I watched the faces of my friends old and new go from fear and excitement to uncertainty and back to immediate fear for some, I realized that I was witnessing another perfect picture and analogy of our journey with Him and with one another in this life. We were quickly coming to understand we could not control this adventure.

Oh what a lesson this day revealed!

When I have realized I am out of control I have reacted in many different ways.
Sometimes I've raced backwards over a sharp drop in the current, backwards even with no sense of what was ahead, and I have panicked at first. I remember what it felt like as I was I was losing my Dad to Alzheimers, as I was losing my job, as I have faced losing relationships that required me to choose to not enable their bad decisions and what that could mean, the way my heart lurched the first time my son told me he was praying about enlisting in the marines a few months back, and the night the recent April storms hit and water began pouriong in every room as the hail rained down and I heard the wind pulling at my home. I felt swept away as I did at times in the river the other day. I flailed about trying to simulate control and trying to determine on my own what to do first instead of listening intently and purposefully for Him. But I had to trust, and when I finally chose to let go and let Him be God He fulfilled a promise given
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV

When I have drifted off path and found myself becoming entangled in shallow water and rocks in my way, He has shown me He knows when I need a quick rescue in my tender state. It's then He sends someone by in their own lime green tube to grab my hand and puls me along back to His current. Like when a friend has gently showed me I am being selfish, or lovingly brought to my attention that I need to turn back before stumbling over something I was placing before God in my life.
Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. Jeremiah 1:8 NIV

Then there are times He required I step off the ledge in faith and depend on Him to provide and do as He asked. To get up out of the swirling eddy I was caught up in - a strong, but wrong current for me - and literally walk out of it in His strength and to meet head on what He had already equipped me for. I have met impactful people I wouldn't have otherwise, been placed in ministry I never dreamd possible, and experienced Him like I never had before all beause I said Yes and let go of my fear!
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11 NIV

Sometimes I have find myself having to be patient in a calm pool of almost no obvious current at all - waiting on Him to move me and coax me when its His perfect timing, even as I watch others joy riding past me with their arms in the air - thats their journey at that given moment and at some point they will watch me fly by in abandonment! As I wait on my next path, career, ministry today I am reminded that...
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9 NIV

I understood as I watched us all bob and race along on this day that we are all on the same jouney, just at different places, and we switch roles and our paths intermingle in many different ways and at many different points.
I have never been in control. Hard to swallow sometimes. When I try to do anything in myself I find eventually a treacherous place of panic. If I let Him do what He is trying to do and just hang on to the big green tube in trust, then the peril turns into a thrill ride that we're on together that He manuvers me through safely in His hand
This is what the LORD says — your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go" Isaiah 48:17

If I trust Him for my salvation and eternity, then can't I can surely trust Him in my every day?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5 NIV

What blessed me so much that day on the river as as we exited for the day was the faces now reflected excitement, release, and even an afinity for the war wounds some endured along the way as they learned to relax and let go :)

I was utterly and totally out of control and I loved it - the true freedom of a real adventure!

Joyful on the Journey,
Marisa

My Rewards Card

2011-06-17T16:35:00.006-04:00

I had a sweet surprise yesterday. I had lunch scheduled with a new friend at Panera and as I was getting ready I remembered I had a "My Panera" rewards card I had gotten some time back and never registered. I had a few extra minutes before I left home so I pulled out the old laptop and went to their web site and quickly did so.

On my last few previous visits to Panera the nice person ringing my order up would ask me for the card but I would have to tell them each time "I haven't registered it yet". They would proceed to tell me "that's your card, go online, claim it and you can get the great random surprise rewards that come with it".

So what I noticed was when I was online registering the card was that the information told me that I would want to check back from time to time to keep up with what surprises might randomly be loaded onto my card at any time. Well to my delight, by the time I left home and got to Panera I already had one on there! When I placed my order, the nice person ringing me up asked me as usual for my 'My Panera' card. I presented it, he swiped it, and said "You have a reward to claim Mrs Lykins - you can have a free pastry or cookie of your choice".

Wow!!! Something I didn't do anything for it really, no grand task on my behalf, no specific dollar amount tied to it. No great effort of my part. I just acknowledge I wanted the card and BAM - I got a surprise, a reward, a gift.

It's sort of like Jesus. I just acknowledge Him and my need for Him and BAM - I receive the instant gift of Salvation. No task to perform, no works, no money, no real effort on my part aside from acceptance, saying I wanted it. Its like I have a "My Jesus" card. When I feel weak, afraid, lonely, worried, consumed with anything I am trying to do or get through in my own strength I can go to Him, pray (swipe the "My Jesus" card so to speak), and just allow Him to reload that card with His strength, wisdom, love, and courage.

But then I also thought about those around us, walking beside us in church, at work, in school, in the local grocery store, some complete strangers... they have a card too. They need it reloaded. And Jesus can use me to help do that. He can use them to help refill mine. A kind word, spontaneous service, a hug, an anonymous surprise gift.

What if the older gentlemen in the aisle next to me who looks a little lost is discovering what it feels like to shop for the first time since losing the love of his life? He could probably really use a sweet word from a stranger - a surprise loaded on his card that leaves him feeling less alone as he makes his way home.
Maybe at church that young woman walks in that I see every week, but this time there's a different look on her face. A look of strain, stress, maybe desperation. What if I take just a moment and reload her card with a hug and a whispered prayer? Now she can enter in more open to finding the peace and rest waiting on her.

John 14:12 "I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father."

Proverbs 16:24 "Kind words are like honey--sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."

Look for a way to reload someones card every day. Give that random sweet surprise, that reward, just because... because they are each one whom God loves.

Marisa

Bad Attitude and All

2011-06-16T20:32:00.012-04:00

Well, I showed my rear end several times over these last few days friends. I just can't put it more simply than that...
have you ever been there?
You know, when as the very words leave your mouth, as the actions of your body language and movements occur, and as that look sets itself up way too easily on your face, you realize that yes, you are in fact showing your hind-end and you just don't seem to be able to stop yourself.
Yep. Hmmm-mmm.
In the middle of these last few days I had a chance to chat with a friend who is struggling with this same issue in a way. Not every day mind you, but more frequently than she cares to, more often than she ever has before in her life. I can relate. Its not every day for me by any means. But I hate it when it happens.
I despise that feeling, even as it happens. Maybe you know what I'm talking about? My face feels flushed. My heart speeds up. My throat seems to want to all of the sudden swallow way more than normal. My ears feel hot. My mouth gets dry. I seem to need to clear my throat, even cough.

Gee - you'd think with all that going on there would be no way I could still manage to sputter out the stupid or mean or hurtful words, the harsh tones, set my hands on my hips, or give THE look... But noooo, I'm a real trooper! I can hang right in there with the best and get the job done!

So, I have some apologies to make. To those in the line of fire, most of all to my God, but not the least of which is to myself. See I've let Satan get a hold of me afterwards even more strongly than he did when it happened. Because for several days I've let him use it against me to make me feel worthless and unlovable. Laying in the dark thinking things like they might never forget my attitude or words or tone, that they might love me less, but most of all that I was less in the eyes of My Jesus.
So tonight I stand on several things my Gods Word tells me, and I am reminded:

We are already God's children, though what we will be hasn't yet been seen. But we do know that when Christ returns, we will be like him, because we will see him as he truly is. 1 John 3:2

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

And when I feel weary from the heaviness of what I may do:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us Ephesians 3:20

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:15-17

Friends, we are more than a conquerors - we are His! We are being made Holy as He is Holy! He is not through with us yet!

Be blessed,
Marisa

Summer Things and Places to Go

2011-06-16T09:14:00.005-04:00

East TN is blessed with the mountains and lakes we love, but aso with a lot of smaller parks and places to hang out. Here's a link to the Knoxville Parks and Rec site to find splash pads, disc golf parks, and places to play volleyball.
http://www.knoxcounty.org/parks/rec_activities.php

Grab your blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic basket and head to The Cove at Concord Park for this season's Second Saturday Concerts. Knox County Parks and Recreation has announced the line up for the free concert series presented the second Saturday of June, July, August and September, from 6 until 8 p.m http://www.knoxcounty.org/parks/

But it's also a great place to poke around and find other cool TN State Parks and activities you may not know about... like the Rhododendron Gardens Festival at Roane Mountain in Northeast TN this weekend!
http://www.knoxcounty.org/parks/other_area_parks.php

Find somewhere to explore and get out there and gave some fun!
Marisa

Living in a Cocoon

2011-06-07T08:50:00.005-04:00

Most of us would hear that statement 'living in a cocoon' and get a very negative or constricting feeling. And to be honest I think in some cases those would be a pretty accurate and correct feeling. In the church we sometimes tend to shelter ourselves from the world around us to a point of not even being able to be a light in it.
But I was reading an entry in Jesus Calling by Sarah Young this morning that really paralleled a comment only moments earlier on my Facebook post. I mentioned I hadn't slept well and was tired. Someone mentioned they had awoke several mornings around 3am and had heard that's the time God wanted to talk with us and wondered what He wanted to say. I responded that if we will just still our spirits we can always hear what he's already saying. Then I opened the devotion and saw these words in the first two lines on the days entry...
"I Am All Around You, like a cocoon of Light. My Presence with you is a promise, independent of your awareness of Me."
He is indeed talking today :)
The entry focuses on how worry can block our pipeline to His presence. I agree. But as I came back to those first few lines my mind focused on just the simplicity of those words themselves.
HE IS. No matter what. Independent of my awareness. He doesn't need me. No need for my response to Him for His presence to be. No need for a reaction or movement from me to exist in any moment of time. God has no dependence on man to work, to create, to speak, or to be. As I sat on my couch thinking on this I realized I was literally humming the song "You are God Alone" where the first verse says this:
You are not a God created by human hands
You are not a God dependant on any mortal man
You are not a God in need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that's just the way it is

How many times do I feel I have to totally set my self a part to hear from Him? Don't get me wrong, I do think that is absolutely necessary. Time to only hear His voice. Time to be so removed from all distractions so I can know the deep life changing direction I need from Him to make decisions, and to learn the intimate things that He wants to use to move profoundly in my life and relationships - this requires that I achieve a level of communion with Him that is beyond the every day.

But to live in a cocoon of His presence daily, so that at any moment I can just turn and listen to what He is already speaking and asking of me? That's not restricting - that's freeing!

I remember the comfort as a child knowing my Dad was watching me from the porch as I played, and the security that it gave me that he was right there near by.
I would be playing games, kick ball, or riding my bike. But do you know that I remember the one thing that made me feel especially secure was when I could hear His voice? I'd be laughing, running, and jumping, but when I heard him in the background talking with my mom or his friends that made me brave.

John 10:14 says - I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me

Isaiah 30:21 tells us - Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

I mentioned above He doesn't need me. That's true. BUT HE WANTS ME!!
He is always closer than the very skin that covers my bones and tissue, His presence is in me, around me and through me. And He is always talking. It's up to me to learn Him so well that I can at any given moment tap in to what He is saying, doing, and giving me the chance to be a part of.
I want to walk, run, sit, lay, and live wrapped up in the cocoon of His light and presence that frees me to truly live. His cocoon is one that allows me to evolve, grow, and become safely what He wants me to be - knowing I am on His path, speaking His words, seeing with His eyes, and touching with His hands!

Marisa

Chick Chat with Marisa

Don't Build a Nest in a Tote Bag

2011-06-02T12:34:00.015-04:00

Yesterday morning I washed one of my huge canvas totes that I use when we spend time on the boat, go to the beach or travel anywhere that I need bulky space taking items like large fluffy towels or such to go with us.
In fact that's what I packed in them this time - large fluffy beach towels for the lake over Memorial Day weekend. But when those came back home in our dirty clothes bag I used it to put our unused food items in and something leaked. Something very stinky that I suspect was was the container of onions and peppers for the fajitas we didn't make. So I placed the bag in our washer. But it being the large bulky item it is, I decided to dry it by hanging it outside.
Last night before bed I checked it but even the intense heat of yesterday hadn't dried it thoroughly enough so I decided to leave it hanging for a few more hours over night on our side entry stoop.
This morning after I had a couple cups of coffee I remembered it was still out there and decided to go check it again. Imagine my surprise to find strands of moss, grass, a few small twigs and two of those things that fall from certain trees each spring that we always referred to as 'helicopters' when I was a kid.
I stood there peering down in the bag for a few moments honestly perplexed. I mean it was hanging on the storm door handle. How did the stuff get in there? Why? It's a very thick heavy canvas material. What in the world?
Then it dawned on me. Birds!
And I stood there on my stoop in the morning sun imagining how some small bird, or pair of birds, worked so extremely diligently to attempt to get enough materials in this canvas bag hanging on our door to build a nest.
With the canvas handles both looped close together on the door knob it couldn't have been easy even if the bird(s) didn't enter the bag themselves. It was still quite a job either way. How strong was the desire to be secure and have place to feel at home and at peace that they would risk being at our kitchen door so many times where we come and go? Did they work at it even in the cloak of darkness? How did they go about deciding what materials to gather? But most of all in my heart I was questioning with bewilderment - why rush to nest in the bag instead of in the huge strong provided silver maple tree just a few feet away, up high where it would be safe?
Then a piece if scripture came to my mind... something about a sparrow choosing to nest on the altar of God. What was that? It was in the old testament for sure. Somewhere in Proverbs or maybe Psalm?
So I got to digging and sure enough there it was - Psalm 84:3 "Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar"
What a wise choice - no more a secure location could be found!
I had lunch with a friend yesterday and part of our conversation immediately sprang back to mind as well in that moment. We were talking after lunch about trusting God with our inadequacies, with our secrets revealed, and with our children - with everything. And how when we do that its just the most blessed feeling of security and provision that there is!
We had been talking about some of the times in our lives that we each realized just how trustworthy He truly is.
As I sat with my bible open to His Word I began praising Him and thanking Him for this full circle moment for me! As I face more uncertainties, I am grateful He used that lunch time conversation yesterday to encourage me that He is STILL THERE. That we can do ALL things with a supernatural strength when we place our security and trust in Him!
And here He was confirming for me with this small unfinished nest in a canvas tote bag what happens if I don't think through living in a safe place, when my home and heart are depending on perilous things. I must always make my safe place in Him. I must place my heart, my life, my family, and my all in His care. I must live as near to His altar as possible at all times, where the ultimate sacrifice was made. Because that is the only true place of rest, joy, peace, life, protection for me, for my family, the only place of blessings, strength, and of provision

Read the song with me that David wrote so long ago in Psalm 84...

1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
2 I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!
4 What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises.
5 What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
6 When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.
7 They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.
8 O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, hear my prayer. Listen, O God of Jacob.
9 O God, look with favor upon the king, our shield! Show favor to the one you have anointed.
10 A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.
11 For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.
12 O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.

As I pulled the pieces of the unfinished nest from the bag and prayed for the birds to find a safer choice, I then prayed for myself, my family, my friends, my church, for you - that we all would truly seek to nest around HIS altar, where the protection of the blood of Christ, the power of our sovereign Heavenly Father, and the wisdom of the ages can house us and keep us!

Gifts

2011-06-01T07:51:00.005-04:00

I'm drinking my coffee on the couch this morning still thanking God for a relaxing, much needed long holiday weekend with my husband where we could just be quiet and do nothing. I remember over the last few years many times praying for days like that because they always seemed to be rushing by so very quickly. I loved it and am missing it greatly of course, but am also expressly aware I need to relish this specific gift of right now - the blessing of some lunches and coffee with friends, reading, thinking, relaxing, getting some house cleaning done, being present in the moment, and getting through the storm damage/coming changes with our home with my sanity intact!
Isaiah 65:24 - I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!
I am simply reminded today that answered prayers dont look familiar, but they are answered none the less by a familiar friend and Savior who knows us better than we know ourselves :)

Marisa

Chick Chat with Marisa

Seeking What Isn't Hidden

2011-05-23T20:12:00.010-04:00

In listening to two different people speak in two days I heard a common phrase and thought by both... "seek the face of God, not just His hand".
Now when I have things like this happen, I try my best to really pay attention. What are the similarities if any in the people? In the context or situations? Was there a common third party around both times? You know, any questions I can ask that will reveal the lesson, the message, or the heeding whether intended for me or for someone else. To see what exactly God might be saying.
Earlier tonight I looked up a couple of verses God seemed to be leading me to.
Psalm 105:4 says Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
'Paniym' is the Hebrew word in this verse for face. That word means "face, or faces", the "person", or "presence". (I love the plural use of faces here, as in the Holy Trinity, the three complete persons of the God Head!)
And 1 Chronicles 16:11 which is Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
This verse also uses, in the original Hebrew, the word 'Paniym'. Further research revealed this word also means "before and behind", and "from beforetime"
WOW! What a magnificent and humble reminder as I ran my finger along the lines on the page - His person, His presence, has been since before time.... always His presence has been. That's a lot of person, a lot of presence.
And as long as He has been and will be, ever before and for ever more, to seek THAT Holy presence and person of God... WOW!!!! That's huge. That's an ever evolving, never ending journey. Thats a story with unlimited chapters and words and phrases to drink in. It's to become more familiar with who God is. What His eyes are delighted by. What they see. To understand what makes the laugh lines appear at the corners. What His ears are tickled by. What they long to hear. What God's very lips delivers in so many ways. Where His kisses of blessings are. What His word says. How He speaks in ever thing that exists. The very features and facets of His face if you will :)
I am overwhelmed!!!
Two definitions for the Hebrew word 'Darash' (Seek) are "to frequent", and "look for with care"... there's an urgency in that to me!
This is what I feel Him whispering to my very soul to remind me tonight - to earnestly seek His very face and presence, to want and allow Him to be both truly before me and behind me - my provision and my Jehovah Jireh, to know Him even more intimately, to allow His very presence to be so deeply embedded in my every moment, to remember that when I allow the ultimate romance that is ours and ours alone blossom it's then that I will see His hand truly moving in my life the way He desires it to and wants to show me!
Oh Father, I do want more of you, to not be distracted by what are very good things so that I miss the very great things you have for me... there is so much to love about you - I want to know it all! Help me focus, and seek your face both in my waking moments, and even as I dream and am at rest in the night. Continually reveal more of your self to me - it can never be enough!

Marisa

Chick Chat with Marisa

The Farmers Markets Return!

2011-05-11T18:32:00.002-04:00

If you're like me and LOVE getting the freshest veggies, fruit, pastries, cheeses, and more that are made right here in East TN and stimulate our own local economy then here is a list of East TN Farmers Markets now open!
They are great places to discover local artists too offering crafts, jewelry, clothes, purses and more.

My First Love?

2011-05-03T09:05:00.002-04:00

I was reading today's devotional page from "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young as I sipped my coffee and it hit home in a powerful way as it always does.
It reflected my immediate thoughts and reaction in the first moments after the storms that ruined my roof, my attic, my ceilings, my things. Hmmmmm... see a pattern emerging here? When our power and daylight returned and as I looked around my first thoughts were so anxiety ridden and focused on ME and what I lost... how would I replace this and that, what will I do, how will MY things be salvaged?
REALLY??? Sheesh. I'm still breathing when so many aren't, when so many lost everything, some even lost loved ones. What I see around me are things. But first and foremost EVERYTHING has come from HIM - EVERYTHING is HIS. If HE allows them to go then so be it. A choice to praise His name, right?

Psalm 16:11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
What if the eternal pleasure His hand desires means we lose some things to acomplish it? Is our path in life not placing our hope and trust in Him?

Today's page for May 3 says this... "You cannot serve two masters. If I am truly your Master, you will desire to please Me above all others. If pleasing people is your goal, you will be enslaved to them. People can be harsh taskmasters when you give them this power over you.
If I am the Master of your life, I will also be your First Love. Your serving is rooted and grounded in My vast, unconditional Love for you. The lower you bow down before Me, the higher I lift you up into intimate relationship with Me. The Joy of living in My Presence outshines all other pleasures. I want you to reflect My joyous Light by living in increasing intimacy with Me."

Here's the thing - I can be a harsh task master to myself - the harshest even - because what I consider a priority can enslave me more easily than anything else.

This may be cliche to some, but oh friends - may we all lean in to an intimacy with Jesus so overwhelming that in any situation, in every aspect of our day, and at every crossroad whatever HE is looking for from us becomes our first choice, that He is our next thought, and that desiring His presence is what overides all else. Praise His Name this day that He loves us with an unfailing love and is the only one who gives and takes away!

Marisa

Chick Chat with Marisa

Artistry Waiting To Happen

2011-04-27T19:58:00.009-04:00

Going with my friends Amanda and Erin to a local painting class called Sips and Strokes here in Knoxville during my two week Birthday Extravaganza was something I had looked forward to for several weeks but actually started with an unexpected profound moment for me.
We met up at S&S eager to have a new experience together and were very excited. We each had picked out a different picture we wanted to replicate, and as the instructor handed us each our own blank canvas I was reminded of a statement I had heard for so many years that says basically "our lives are the canvas God paints His pictures on".
He does paint the stories of our lives on a canvas I think - blank material stretched and ready to receive, awaiting brushes strokes that create the chapters in HIS big story.
But what struck me this day was the blank card I was also handed. The rectangle that was blank and white. A sturdy piece of stock material intended to hold the colors we would use. Our instructor, Will, took us over to the colors in large pump bottles where he would apply to the card whatever colors we were to use, depending on what picture we wanted to create.
I then started thinking that maybe the canvas isn't us. That it actually encompasses so much more. That it mirrors us, those around us, the people and things that impact us, the ones we impact, even nature itself and how we impact it - everything! It all becomes the picture on the canvas. Its the world around us that we touch in some way.
So what I was now suddenly considering was this: that we're actually the colors that make up that picture.
The colors that get stroked, poured, flicked, rolled, and sponged on the canvas. Material that absorbs me. Colors I provide God to dip His brush in.
Because I have free choice maybe I choose the color on even given day, in any given moment by my intent, my actions, my reactions, and my motive of heart.
I can be a vibrant exciting red and orange, soothing green, calming blue, cheery yellow - or I can be a big old blob of dreary gray, an envious or jealous shade of green, a dirty brown, or icky black that gets applied.
We are all vessels that are being used, so now the question creeps in my mind: at any given time who am I allowing to help me be what color?
Its not hard to imagine that my choice and action could mirror itself in color - but am I allowing God to influence me or am I allowing the enemy to "color my decision"?

This weekend at the Extraordinary Women's Conference in Johnson City, speaker Lysa Terkhurst said that the first four letters of the name "Messiah" reminded her that God takes our "mess" and touches it with healing and uses it to make us beautiful.
I am a walking breathing testimony that that is indeed truth :)

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

I'm praying today that I allow myself to be a lovely color for God's brush to rest on as He paints, but thanking Him that He uses all the colors I can be, irregardless, to accomplish His masterpiece and that He loves me anyway

Marisa

Chick Chat with Marisa

Having the Right Posture

2011-04-21T10:12:00.003-04:00

Head high, shoulders back, back straight, eyes ahead... flash back to the charm school/etiquette classes my mom took me kicking and screaming to in 6th grade, or how I am to praise God in a trial?
BOTH!
The Jonah study I am in the middle of now just nailed me between the eyes.

But I, with shouts of grateful praise,
will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’”
And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.
Jonah 2:9-10

Sacrificial praise? Jonah is praying IN deliverance not FOR deliverance? Wait a minute - that means I fully and whole heartily thank God for the storm. That means I praise Him that He is delivering me within that storm. That the hard place indeed IS my provision, not just the consequence I really deserve.

Wow, I remember with no trouble at all the outcome of those charm school classes. I went with a determined posture of unbending resentment. The result? Utter failure.

God help me take on a posture today of sacrificial praise... In my prayers, with my head high above the waves and my eyes looking straight to where my help comes from. And in my verbal gratitude of a God who is saving me, inside and outside the storm... alway returning me safely to land!

Marisa

Chick Chat with Marisa

Bold Transparency

2011-04-19T11:03:00.006-04:00

I have never been more keenly aware as I am right now of just how important we are to one another when we are as real as we can be about the "us" most never see.

Last night after spending time with a particular gathering of women and sharing stories of how we all saw transparency begin to breed freedom as we served at the last Esther Experience, I awoke with the same urgency in my spirit...
And then He brought me conversations even this morning with women whose hearts are breaking over those they dearly love that are being held captive - and my heart is literally pounding with that urgency.

Oh Father God, that we would begin to understand how timely are the ways we serve one another with our testimonies! If we could only see how much we free one another when we reveal darkness exposed to your light - it is here where the healing is!

As I read Galatians 6:2 this morning that says "Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ" I had to return to Galatians 5:14 "The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Keywords - "share" and "love"...
Oh God, to be a conduit that you use to release the grip of what holds those around me by sharing what You are and have brought me through is the most powerful way I can ever love!
Ever prayed 'God please use me'?
He will in the simplest but the most profound way possible if you will move through your daily life ready to share with others the stories behind why you can now say "Look -look at my God! See how magnificent He is and how much He loves me and is saving me, and is healing and restoring me! Look at how I cannot live without Him! Look at who and what I was and how He loves me anyway! Look at Him and what He is using for beauty and strength! DO YOU SEE MY GOD?!"

Ephesians 3:8-12 says "Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling all people about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. I am chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. God’s purpose in all this was to use us to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. Because of Christ and our faith in him we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence."

To keep what He has and is doing to myself does not love those He loves and is something I can't do... COME BOLDLY AND WITH CONFIDENCE AND REVEAL WHAT HE HAS COVERED WITH HIS BLOOD!!!!

Marisa

Chick Chat with Marisa

Looking for Joy and other Clues

2011-04-14T19:19:00.009-04:00

Joy. Having it, finding it, knowing it, wanting it. It can be so elusive sometimes - we can get so far from it. Life presents many obstacles to it, right? Hurts, anger, complacency, guilt, and even busyness - thats always a favorite tool of the enemy for a lot of things.

I think its no mistake that I picked up the little book 'Joy for a Woman's Soul:Promises to Refresh Your Spirit' with excerpts from the Women of Faith ladies a week ago and have been thumbing through it just a couple days before having lunch with my friend Leslie Vogel. Because one of the things that came up over our quiche, stuffed pears, chicken salad, and raspberry tea at LuLu's Tea Room was joy.

I was in Lifeway Christian Store the other day, just perusing through the gift books, journals and such, and I remember saying in my mind and my heart - "God, I would really like to have something in addition to the bible study I am working through right now that would allow you to say some things I may just need to hear, if not for me then for someone else... something I can keep handy, keep close, and that will be that extra connection"

Then I had lunch with Leslie. Then I got home, picked up that book, and suddenly remembered another conversation from the day before... my friend Pat Wade and I were at her house talking about a lot of things, but they all seemed to lead to the fact that there are so many women right now being tripped up by things that keep them from living the life God desires for them - keeping them from living a life of 'JOY'...

Yep - I think He's speaking, and I think I better be listening :)

Marisa

Chick Chat with Marisa

Getting Caught Red Handed

2011-04-12T09:27:00.008-04:00

I'm 7 again. My face is flushed. My heart is racing. I'm embarrassed. I'm scared. And I am in trouble.

I am immediately back in the old Sears building on Central Avenue with my mom and dad. I can smell and even see the candy counter where I used to press my face up against the glass in excitement.

Back then I would enter the building and would be assaulted by the overwhelming smell of chocolate. My excitement was about more than I could stand because I knew that when we were finished shopping I would get to go with my parents to that huge glass cased counter in the center of that floor and watch as the gentleman behind it in his red and white stripped shirt and crisp white paper hat filled one white bag with chocolate covered raisins and one white bag with chocolate covered peanuts. I then would get to sit between my parents in that green country squire station wagon with the wood paneling on the way home, where on that front bench seat I would get to reach into both bags filling my cheeks full of delicious candy goodness!

But what I was remembering most right now as I listened to Priscella Shire in one of the Jonah bible study dvd sessions was one specific Saturday afternoon before I got to the candy counter. On this particular trip to Sears I got into trouble. Big trouble.

'Garanimals' were huge then. Tags hung from each item in a line of children's clothes that allowed us to pick out our own outfits without looking like little freaks! All we had to do was match up a lion tagged pair of shorts with a lion tagged skirt, or a zebra tagged pair of pants with a zebra tagged shirt and the colors and fabrics would automatically match! Parents could relax and let the independent streaks run free in children who wanted to dress themselves before school and church and know that other parents would not question their sanity.

I loved Garanimals because I got to finally be a big girl and pick out my own clothes! And on this particular Saturday I was pretending I was shopping alone. I was pretending that I had driven that station wagon to Sears, that I would get to go and tell the man behind the counter that today I would just have the chocolate covered peanuts and raisins mixed together in one huge bag. That I was out for a day on the town all by my big girl self.
In fact today I was feeling so grown up that I decided that, even though my mom had told me to stay in the two aisles of Garanimals racks, I was big enough to walk to the candy counter and look through all the glass cases by myself and pretend I was trying to decide what other exotic candies I may try on my next trip into the city. After all, if I was dressing myself I was big enough to maybe branch out and try other chocolate covered delicacies. I would only stay there a couple of minutes anyway.

This day is what I was remembering at this moment in bible study. The day when I decided to leave the two aisles I had been given permission to roam free in and venture out clear on the other side of the giant candy counter where I was envisioning the chocolate covered orange slices and caramel turtles being dropped into separate white bags. It was then, on that day that my mother and fathers voices interrupted my day dream as they yelled my name - loudly.
They had been looking frantically for me. I was busted. Caught red handed in defiance of what they had told me I was allowed to do and not do. They had told me the two aisles they gave me free reign was where I should stay. No where else was I to be. Right there and there alone. But in my new found independence I decided to stretch those limits. That was a bad move.
I was snatched up, spun around, my back pressed up against that candy counter, and was berated by my mom and dad as they preceded to LOUDLY machine gun fire questions at me... Did I not know I had just given every pervert within 5 miles a chance to kidnap me? Did I not know that little kids get taken all the time? Was I trying to give them a heart attack? Did I want to be killed by strangers? How could I have disobeyed? Did I not realize how much they loved me and what they would do if something had happened to me? Did I not know how scared they were when they stepped one aisle over from where I was to be and could not find me? Did I not know that what they told me to do and not do was for my own good?
My face flushed, my heart raced, I was SOOOOO embarrassed, and everyone was looking at me. Every adult, child, and Sears employee within ear shot had gathered around and was looking at me.
Oh my, I just wanted to die. And I had disappointed my mom and dad. I was caught red handed in disobedience. I felt swallowed up by what I had done, by my own guilt and unwanted attention it had brought me in this moment. And as the questions they fired at me began to sink in I was swallowed up by the realization and fear of what could have happened to me.

Priscilla Shire shares in one particular session of the Jonah study that we often see the big fish that swallowed Jonah as part of the consequence of his disobedience to God in not going to Nineveh as the Lord has asked. I can see why we would think that. Imagine living in the dark, smelly, gross, wet, cold belly of a big old fish for three days. Bad, right? What fear in that moment Jonah must have first felt when he looked around and realized where he was.
But she reminded us that God's provision and saving grace can look very different than what we expect it to.
That sometimes what we first view as the consequences for our behavior is actually our provision - it's what saves us, preserves us, and allows us to live to see another day.

Jonah 1:17
Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.

God arranged that fish to be there in that very place Jonah was thrown overboard into the raging sea. As Jonah sank into the depths of the sea, seaweed wrapping around his head and legs, dragging him down to what would have been a sure death, God SENT the big fish. Jonah's big fish was God's provision. A provision that saved his life, that would forever be the reminder and turning point for him. Look how much God DID love him, even in his disobedience of not going to Nineveh like the Lord had asked him to.

In fact it didn't take long for Jonah to realize this:
Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. He said, “I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to You God from the land of the dead, and Lord, You heard me! Jonah 2:1-2

The consequences of our actions ARE our provision in themselves - they are our second chances!

I was totally upset, embarrassed, guilty, angry, mortified, and was on display in front of all those people in Sears that day. But getting caught red handed by my parents at that moment when I disobeying them, going outside the limits they had set (instead of being allowed to make my way back to the Garanimals aisles with my parents none the wiser as I intended) was my consequence, my lesson, my provision, and my second chance.

I have never forgotten it. It was what I remembered the first time my own son asked me if he could go two aisles over in the store and look at the toys by himself like a big boy.

I do remember all that I mentioned above about how I felt, but what I remember the most now is how much my parents loved me to worry like that, and to have set the boundaries to begin with. That it was for my own good. Ands it's what I see in Gods provision of that big fish. Oh how He loved Jonah to have arranged in advance for that fish to be there to swallow Jonah up and keep him safe as he learned his lesson.

Oh how He loves us ~ So much that our actions have reactions, that our consequences are our second chances as we learn our hard lessons :)

Marisa

Chick Chat With Marisa

Is Fear at the Root?

2011-04-06T17:24:00.008-04:00

As I left a 3 hour lunch today with my friend Lisa, that followed a 2 and 1/2 hour morning coffee with my friend Pat this past Saturday morning, I was struck by something. A word that came up many times in both conversations.
I should have counted how many times I both heard and uttered the word 'fear' in those two days.
Not always in a bad way, sometimes it was in the context of "fearing the Lord". But it dawned on me how much we had talked about how we see fear running rampant in the Christian life, in particular in women's lives. Fear seems to be gripping so many around us. Fear that manifests itself in so many ways - in insecurities of all shapes and sizes, in jealousy, in depression, in anger, in an eating disorder, in cutting, in bad relationships, in choices to leave marriages, in numbness and complacency, and the list could go on. The roots of fear can run deep and lead to so much devastation. Fear.
What dawned on me as I drove home is how we talked about when those types of fears started for us, and for those we know who are even now paralyzed by them. As early as elementary and middle school. WOW! Realizing just how long we have been living with the fear and insecurities, believing the lies that fear allows to creep in, was astounding to us.
The lives that are now held captive by fears have been so in some cases for 20, 30, 40, and 50 years.
Lord, if I could go back and speak truth into 'younger me' I would try to make me understand that I will never find anyone who loves me like God designed me to be loved by Him. That I will never be like the girl standing next to me and that's actually a good thing because I want my blessings, my journey - not hers. That no matter what a boy does to me I am worthy. That no matter what choices I make I can be forgiven. That I don't have to worry about even making a bad choice if I never put what others want me to be ahead of what God wants me to be. And that to care that much about what others think only succeeds in handing them the kind of power over me that only God should have.
I want to always fearfully love my Lord, but never want again to fear who I am, what He wants, is doing, isn't doing, or what He wants to make from my life.
Psalm 139:13-14
13 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.

Something so precious has nothing to fear

Romans 8:31
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Lord, God, may my fears never again overide my purpose in you!

A Life Interrupted

2011-04-01T11:47:00.003-04:00

Last night after our women's bible study at church (Priscilla Shires "Jonah: Navigating Life's Interruptions") I was driving home blessed by what God had spoken to my heart, how I saw Him speaking to the hearts of those around me for the past two hours, and also was thinking about today. The anniversary of my Daddy's death after suffering with Alzheimer's for almost 10 years.
THAT was a whole series of interruptions to say the least... from the car wreck, to the diagnosis, to the assisted living centers, to our savings being depleted, to his death, to the aftermath of all that. Many many things that 'threw a wrench' as they say, into my existence. But as the statement resonates in my heart and mind that "Life's interruptions are God's invitation to participate in Divine Interventions that only He can create", I am grateful for them all. Wow, how I grew thru all that, how my faith grew, how my husbands did, how I got to see him in a while new light as he ministered both to me and my Daddy, how I got to see my Daddy bless the ladies taking care of him who either never had a dad or who had lost theirs and saw something in mine that was familiar and comforting, and how I have been able to be there for others who found themselves themselves facing that same dark and scary situation... so may things that became evident divine appointments :)
I do love that my daddy tried my whole life to teach me to love to dance with Jesus... as difficult as it is at times, as many steps as I dont yet know, my Lord is patient enough to both guide me and even let me freestyle sometimes!
Miss you Daddy - now you're dancing with Him face to face... thank you for teaching me to dance too :)

Chick Chat with Marisa

Is That You God?

2011-03-30T14:40:00.005-04:00

Ever asked that question? For some time now as I prepared to be a part of a women’s retreat, I wondered in my spirit if I was hearing God right. He had been spurring something on in my mind, in my heart, in certain people He was placing in my path, that I was to do something very specific that would be extremely difficult at this retreat. And as is usual for me when this happens, I commit to pray about it and wonder later if I heard that right. Even questioning was that really you God?

As I prepared to leave for the Esther Experience 2011 Retreat this past Thursday morning, where I was to be 1 of 4 facilitators, I not only was still questioning whether I should do what I felt He may be asking, but was assaulting Him with all sorts of questions and reasons why this may be a bad idea!
As long as I have known Him and as long as I have loved Him, is exactly as long as I have doubted Him. My weakness, that I know gives Him a stage by which to display His glory and power, still pulls me back and I resist at times His promises to fill my mouth with His words, and to be my strength and shield.
Day one of our arrival at Ridgecrest Conference Center in NC was no different.
As my friends and I made our way there, as we ate lunch, as we drove chatting and sharing thoughts about life, family, the upcoming event and more, the swirling thoughts and feelings of what I thought He was asking me to do were never far at bay even though I kept trying to shelf them. You know, kind of like trying to nail pieces of Jell-o to a wall… they just wouldn't stay put.
We arrived to a peaceful serene setting. As we checked in my heart and mind were buzzing a bit even though I did feel something change. He was here - just like He said He would be - waiting on me, waiting on the women coming the next day. The excitement was growing but so was that tinge of doubt.
See, I had been feeling for a few days now that God may be asking me to share something deeply personal at a very specific time in a very specific session. He was asking of me what I felt like may be the impossible right now. If I did this, if I did what He was asking me to do, it would be one of the hardest things I had ever done. It would mean revealing ‘me’ in such a raw way and being as real as I had ever been with anyone – and myself.
Well, ‘a few days’ isn’t exactly true.
The first moment that Pat Wade had met with me months earlier to ask me to be a facilitator and explain the outline of the weekend and the breakout sessions as she was envisioning them, I felt the first pin prick in my heart and the first "Jesus Spirit Bumps" run up my arms and legs. My Granny Reva used to say when you got those that a rabbit had just run over your grave - never understood that, but I sure loved my crazy fun Granny Reva :) The first evening we and the rest of the volunteers arrived at Ridgecrest to begin to set things up, to pray, go over the schedule, address any changes or immediate questions, and otherwise get ready for the 80 women coming the next day night there was commissioning service planned. As we gathered in one of the rooms Pat welcomed us, went over some vital things we all needed to know, and preceded to share that the prayer team would be coming around to lay hands on us and pray for us each one in a few moments and asked us to move our chairs into a big circle.
I had been told about Brenda. I had never been prayed for by Brenda in person, or even really ever talked with her. But I knew that she was a woman who many had told me had a specific gift in her communion with the Holy Spirit when it came to prayer. As we began I was aware of movement of the prayer team around the big circle as they went from woman to woman interceding on their behalf asking God for our encouragement, strength in the physical and spiritual realm, peace, wisdom, knowledge, and in all areas we would need to serve over the next few days.
I was praying myself for what I would be doing as my way of serving as a facilitator of the breakout sessions, for my small group leaders on my team, for Pat, the worship team, the drama team, the polka dot team, and for those coming to meet God there in their need.
I must admit, and as you can by now suspect, my thoughts in the middle of all this did keep somehow returning to me, what I thought God was asking me to do. I mean, here I was and it was about to begin tomorrow. I remember thinking - it will be that session on Saturday before I know it. What would I do? Was He asking me to be open myself up in THAT way? Really God? You want me to speak "it" out loud? I’m to speak this thing in my life? Could I find the strength and confidence to share what may be the very thing that some of these women coming may wish they could say out loud too? Or could offer others desperate to release their own ‘thing’ the strength to do so? And was this one of those moments, those huge moments when we are being tested for obedience to just say yes? These were my exact thoughts on this night. These were my petitions of my Father.
As the other ladies on the prayer team sweetly put their hands on my shoulders and prayed for me I received it all and was so unbelievably thankful for the comfort they provided me, the intercession they offered was so precious. Have I mentioned that Brenda prays very differently in these situations too? Just in the movement of her spoken word it can be very unique. She sometimes just utters words in broken sentences. To anyone near she isn’t praying for it may not make much sense at all in fact. Often it does. It’s sometimes also accompanied by what I call sounds and words of the spirit.
She moved to the back of my chair as I sat with head bowed before her. She had actually moved swiftly through the couple of ladies to my right so I thought maybe she would not have a word for me. But as her hands lightly landed on my shoulders they immediately tightened as her throat uttered "Mmmm", "Glory Father". I breathed in deeply. She was lingering at my chair. "Oh Jesus, yes, yes Jesus" she said. Brenda repeated the sound and leaned in close and whispered "Say yes, do it".
Oh my sweet Jesus... In my heart and mind, as they raced faster and faster, I asked God - Are you using this woman to answer the very questions I was just praying??? Is that you God???
Brenda leaned in closer to my ear gripping my shoulders tighter, "Say yes daughter, tell Him you will, you will speak it... say yes daughter, tell Him yes!" Brenda kept repeating it – my mind was spinning. She repeated it again and again.
Oh my stars, oh my word, Oh My God my mind and heart now said – it’s you right here, right now!
With more urgency and a little louder, Brenda's spirit more in tune now and urged to press in, said "He wants you to say yes, be bold, say it out loud, with confidence, He wants you to say it, say yes I will speak it Father!!" I felt her shudder as she got ‘Jesus Bumps’. My heart beat so loudly but all I could muster was a nod of my bowed head... to be this close to Him in a given moment, and hear so intensely from my God was overwhelming! My sweet Jesus was speaking directly to my anxious and worried heart telling me what He desired of me!
Brenda pressed on. I became aware that Kristen, of one of the small group leaders on my right, had now placed her left hand on my right thigh. My friend Kendra on my left was touching me in the same way as they listened to the Holy Spirit speak to me. They were agreeing, supporting what God was asking me to do, with the laying on of their hands urging me to hear this clear and divine truth being spoken in such a reverent moment and urging me in this wordless way to respond in surrender.
The Holy Spirit pressed on as Brenda’s mouth was right next to my ear now. We slightly rocked back and forth as she said louder “say it, answer Him, say yes, say yes I will speak it out loud, say yes out loud, say yes Jesus I will, say I will, all Glory, all Glory, say yes to him, speak it out loud say yes!” I could not deny it, He was there! Right there with me in that room, in my ear, in my spirit, in my soul and heart, in every fiber of everything surrounding me, in the chair I was sitting on, in the air around me entering my lungs as I breathed in and out, in the voice in my ear, and in the hands on my shoulder and legs! He was bidding me to do His will in a way that would bring glory and honor, would allow others to see and hear His voice, His love, He wanted to grow my faith just as I had asked Him to do but it required something from me. It required me to say ‘Yes’ to something that in and of myself I would find impossible, but He was reminding me of just how close He truly is. That in the blood of Christ that I could literally feel flowing on me, His spirit in me, He would provide what I needed to do this thing!
He assured the disciples in John 14 He was leaving that comforter here so we would never be alone – and that same Holy Spirit was still here – all over me and in me! “Yes!” I cried, exhausted from questioning, worn out from resisting, “I will speak it” I said, receiving the peace that immediately rushed in as I cried, “Out loud I will speak it for His Glory!!!”
Did I mention our ordained team name for the Esther Experience (that is a story in itself) was “Jehovah Jireh – Our Great Provider”?! He is here, He is I AM, and His daughters are never alone!
And so The Esther Experience2011 began for me as a revealing of His majesty and power, the likes of which I had never dreamed possible.

Another conference coming up later this summer that you still have time to register for is She Speaks with Proverbs 31 Ministries - a weekend that can help find your passion, fuel your passion, and help you connect to other women who are as passionate about God and His calling on their lives as you are! They even have a contest to win a scholarship to attend!

WOW!

2011-03-28T11:38:00.003-04:00

As I woke up (late!) this morning still basking in the glow of what Jesus did at The Esther Experience Weekend at Ridgecrest in NC, I am overwhelmed by what I have heard, seen, felt, and known. I am amazed at how God confirmed for me, in mind blowing ways, His plan even leading into that weekend. My mind and body are exhausted but my heart is overflowing, joyful and thankful that God allowed me to be there and to serve and to see Him work and move! I think today I will let it all sink in, just let the WOW GOD moments swirl around awhile, hold them close in my heart for a few more hours, but I am so excited to share my own thoughts and experience with you very very soon :)

Joyful on the Journey,
Marisa

"Chick Chat With Marisa"

Weekend Fun Ideas!

2011-03-22T10:02:00.004-04:00

There's no shortage once again in Knoxille for some fun things to do this weekend...

Looking to score some deals for clothing those kids?
Growth Spurt Consignment Sale in Karns March 25th and 26th!
Friday 8-6:30 and Saturday 8-3 (1-3 is the 1/2 price sale)
http://www.growthspurtknox.blogspot.com/ and they have a Facebook page too
What: Consignment sale of high quality children’s
clothes, toys, equipment, accessories, and
miscellany
When: Friday March 25th from 8 am to 6:30 pm
and Saturday March 26th from 8 am to 3 pm
(half price sale is Saturday 1 to 3)
Where: 2717 Roland Lane, Knoxville, TN 37931
(Private home in Karns Community)
Contact: Tammy 865-368-8137 or Kathy 865-363-5924

Greater TN Sportsman Show
When:
Friday, March 25, 2011
2:00PM-8:00PM
Saturday, March 26, 2011
10:00AM-8:00PM
Sunday, March 27, 2011
11:00AM-5:00PM
Where:
Knoxville Expo Center
Ticket Information:
$7.00 Adults Children 11-17 $ 4.00 Children 10 and Under FREE $1.00 Senior Citizen Discount on Friday!
Knoxville Expo Center
5441 Clinton Highway
Knoxville, TN 37912

Daffodil Show,
Saturday March 26th & Sunday March 27th from 1-5 P.M. at the Plant Science Auditorium, Ag Campus, University of Tennessee, FREE

West Town Mall : Home Expo
Saturday March 26th 11am-5pm
Free to Attend!
Looking for an artist to paint murals on the wall?Need your home remodeled? Need some Kitchen tools from the Pampered Chef? Things you need for your home. Can be found here. Come and see what's new and get great ideas.
Venue: West Town Mall
Location: 7600 Kingston Pike, Knoxville 37919

2nd Time Around Consignment Sale - Maryville Spring 2011
Foothills Mall
Maryville TN
* Spring/Summer Children, Adult and Home Decor sale will be held on March 24th through March 27th 2011
The last two days of the sale is designated to be half off days having all items elected to sell at 50% off the sale price. If an item has not be selected to be sold half off by the consignor the item will still be available for purchase at regular price.
Venue: Foothills Mall
Location: 197 Foothills Mall, Maryville 37801

Tennessee Spring Fling
Attention Scrapbookers!
1st Annual Tennessee Spring Fling in Knoxville, TN, March 25-27.
Croptopia brings you top notch accommodations, lots of table space, fabulous exhibitors, workshops, pampering, tons of prizes and did we mention the goody bags? Plus so much more...you won't want to miss this event!
The marketplace will be open to the public Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. ($2 admission)
Knoxville Marriott
500 Hill Avenue SE
Knoxville, TN 37915
Venue: Knoxville Marriott
Location: 500 Hill Avenue SE, Knoxville 37915

Cat Fanciers Show
http://www.catshows.us/tennesseevalley/
March 26th at Jacob Building at the Tennessee Valley Fairgrounds, Chilhowee Park, 3301 Magnolia Ave. Knoxville TN 37914

Children's Theatre of Knoxville presents "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe"
Friday, Mar. 25 at 7 PM
Saturday, Mar. 26 at 1 PM and 5 PM
Sunday, Mar. 27 at 3 PM
865) 599-5284. Tickets are $12 per person. If an adult and a child enter together, these two may be admitted for $10 each.
Venue: Children's Theatre of Knoxville
Location: 800 Tyson Street, Knoxville 37917

Smart Toys and Books Knoxville Zoo Visits with Live Animals
Saturday March 26th
Knoxville Zoo presents interactive exhibit of live animals,
animal artifacts, and other information for young children. Three live animals
will be featured from a collection of small animals, amphibians, and insects.
Zoo staff will be available to present and answer questions. 11am – 12noon.
No charge. RSVP.
http://smarttoysandbooks.com/
Venue: Smart Toys and Books
Location: 9700 Kingston Pike, Knoxville 37922

Mothers of Multiples Spring 2011 Consignment Sale
March 25th -26th
Mothers of Multiples at Beaver Ridge UMC @ Karns traffic light; clothing size newborn to teen, maternity, toys, furniture, equipment, books, and more. Cash only, please.
1/2 price sale - noon - 2pm.
Date: 03/25/2011
Venue: Beaver Ridge United Methodist
Location: 7753 Oak Ridge Highway, Knoxville 37931

Knoxville Ice Bears Smokies Night
Fri, 03/25/11 @ 7:30 Fayetteville FireAntz Home
Smokies Night
The Ice Bears and the Smokies will team up to make this night entertaining and exciting for everyone in attendance. Intermissions will consist of baseball related fun on the ice. For tickets, call the box office at 865-656-4444 or visit the Box Office at the Civic Coliseum.
Venue: Knoxville Civic Coliseum
Location: 500 Howard Baker Ave, Knoxville 37915

Cokesbury Childrens Center Consignment Sale
The Cokesbury Children's Center
Saturday, March 26 from 8:00 a.m. - Noon, with a 1/2 price sale 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
March 26 2011 8-12 Full Price 1-3 Half Price
Venue: Cokesbury Center
Location: 9919 Kingston Pike, Knoxville 37922

UT Gardens Adult Workshop, Make a Rain Barrel
Saturday, March 26
9-11 a.m.
Do you know there is more nitrogen in rainfall than in one application of fertilizer? Drought or no drought, we should all conserve water. Beth Willis, UT Gardens volunteer coordinator, will show you how to capture this precious resource in your own 55-gallon catch barrel. Each participant will make and design a rain barrel to take home. Please bring an appropriate vehicle to transport it home. All materials included. To register, please contact Emily Smith, at 974-7151.
$40/member, $45/nonmember
Venue: University of Tennessee
Location: University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996

Concord United Methodist Church Children's Consignment Sale
Saturday, March 26, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (sale closed 12-12:30 and 1/2 price from 12:30-2) 11020 Roane Dr. (behind Sam & Andy's) in Farragut Featuring quality, gently-used clothing, toys, furniture, and other items for ages birth-teens
Venue: Concord United Methodist
Location: 11020 Roane Drive, Farragut 37934

more posts at Chick Chat With Marisa

Ever Want a "Do-Over"?

2011-03-18T22:19:00.005-04:00

Remember when we were kids in elementary and middleschool, and we loved a good game of recess kickball? It was a battle really, it was war. In the heat of late spring before summer vacation we really got down and dirty. Time was running short then. I can almost smell the dirt, the grass, and I can almost hear the cicadas in the trees as we played - remember? And we had a very limited time to get a game in. Sometimes we would get so hard core, so entrenched in a close heated game that we'd continue the next day where we left off.
The game was important. Braggin' rites were huge.
At some point, maybe even more than once, we'd see the ball go fouling off way right, then we would hear it. Someone would yell "DO OVER!"? I yelled it too from time to time. And we all understood. We all wanted to be looked at with respect, wanted to make a better impression, to hold our own, to be picked again the next day to play too.
So we were happy to oblige the occasional 'Do Over'.
Unless that is, that it was the one kid we all knew who with every kick, with every throw, with every move in every game, ALWAYS wanted a do over. They would just never ever own up to the mistake and move on at all. That kid, no one wanted to give THEM a do over.
But to the ones who really tried, we happily dealt out the 'Do Overs'.
I still have things in my daily life that end up like a big old foul ball kicked over the right side fence. I try to do better. I mean, I can see growth. It's longer between times that I find myself tripped up by the same action, or reaction, or choice.
The game is still important. The prize is even bigger today.
But the voice of the enemy sometimes beats me up to a bloody pulp and tells me I am the kid who never changes. That I'll never get a kick off good enough to round first let alone even attempt to reach second. That I will never do any better at making the right choice, that I will never stop reacting too quickly in frustration, or whatever my weakness is on any given day.
But Christ tells me some things very differently.
That "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)
And that 'Neither do I condemn you, Go now and leave your life of sin.' John 8:11 (NIV)
As long as I am trying, and growing, and seeking forgiveness, then I AM leaving that life, that sin behind. And I get picked to play every day, I'm still in the game. And I get dealt a 'Do Over' from the only one whose voice really matters anyway.

Extraordinary Womens Conference 2011

2011-03-16T13:19:00.007-04:00

Join a lot of us ladies from East TN April 29th & 30th in Johnson City TN for a wonderful weekend at Freedom Hall! Great speakers, artists, resources, and time away will do us all good - make your plans to go now for only $59

click here for info and to register

Pray for Japan

2011-03-16T13:07:00.004-04:00

Please continue to pray for Japan... so much absolute devastation and loss that is simply unimaginable. While our minds and hearts break and can't comprehend, just think of those who have survived it physically but whose eyes see nothing but what is no longer there

To help text the word redcross to 90999 and give $10 directly on your next cell phone bill

We Even Ignore Rising Water

2011-03-10T20:19:00.009-05:00

The water rushing by my kitchen door picked up depth and speed with each half hour that passed.
It's only happened a couple times in the 10 years we've lived in this particluar house. That's why it's so unsettling. Behind us is just a gently sloped back yard that leads up to a ridge line between us and property belonging to Ijams Nature Center. Not anywhere you would expect to see water rising.
But it had been raining steady and hard for several hours and when I saw my local news begin breaking in with pictures and videos of what their reporters were witnessing I decided that it was probably a good idea for me to check my own yard.
After all they said they hadn't seen this much rain at one time in years.
First I saw our garbage can lid. But it wasn't on the garbage can as it whipped past down the driveway. And then our outdoor broom floated by.
My miniature dachshund Mr Pickles wouldn't even venture out onto the porch to look, let alone attempt to get to the usual places he goes when he has to 'take a break'.
As I settled back in front of the TV to watch the constant coverage now, I was dumbfounded. As more areas were flooding, our local reporters and meteorologists were warning people that it was an extremely dangerous situation. As we were told to stay put whether at work or home, to avoid even puddles, and as they gave the not very commonly used "turn around - don't drown" warning I noticed something.
Our 'eye-in-the-sky traffic' guys, and other media folk who listen to emergency scanners began letting us know people were having to be rescued from cars, trucks, and suv's. I was amazed at the rescue efforts and miracles taking place - but I begin noticing vast amount of people were still determined to continue driving through the ever growing bodies of water. People were insisting on still moving their cars through water that was picking up speed, rushing faster and faster! Some crossroads and low lying areas had already seen water rescues this very day and yet here these people were, still driving on purpose straight into the water threatening their very lives.
What were they thinking?! As I sat there wondering aloud at the very levels of stupidity they were exhibiting, willing to put their very lives at risk just to get somewhere on time, I couldn't believe it.
Parents with children in the car were pulled to safety - some from the rushing waters as they overtook their car. I saw two separate videos of teen and a man each standing on the roof of their vehicles as they were physically saved by municipal workers with ropes tied to them. These brave men had jumped to action because every firetruck, anbulance, and rescue squad vehicle in our county were attending to other rescues all over town.
After several hours the rain slowed, some of water began to recede. The threat was over. But so many had made bad choices. So many made decisions that not only put others they loved at risk, but in some cases those they didnt even know - some rescuers almost lost their own lives trying to be a needed miracle.
As I sat contemplating those who had made such obvious bad choices that familiar tickle at the edge of my mind began. Ah yes. Memories began "flooding' back, as they always do when I get up on my high horse. I began to think about myself. How many times did I do the same thing?

Romans 7:14-15
So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.

Maybe I didn't drive into actual swollen creeks in a literal rain storm, but for sure many times in my life I have entered dangerous waters. I've rushed into a relationship, then let it deepen when red flags were clearly visible. I certainly remember deciding that chancing another night of reckless behavior wasn't one too many. I recall diving straight into crashing waves taking others with me. I have taken stupid risks when I knew better. Even when others tried warning me. When people who genuinely cared tried to tell me to 'turn around - don't drown'.

As we travel this earth in our risky and futile attempts to be so independent, thinking we dont sometimes know whats best, we not only are at risk but we often put others in danger to. We can be so selfish.

God always provides red flags though. Here's praying next time that we will heed His warning signs. And here's to hoping we'll immediately thank God for providing both the gentle stirrings of the Holy Spirit, the floating garbage can lids, and the shouts from friends on the banks of rising waters yelling for us to stop!
And let's pray that we dont too harshly judge others each day for their mistakes. We only need remember how easily and foolishly we have made our own.

Phil 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ- to the glory and praise of God.

Marisa Lykins

Prayer for Peace...

2011-03-08T10:01:00.002-05:00

Websters definitions of Peace:
1 - freedom from disagreement or quarrels. an undisturbed state of mind, absence of mental conflict, serenity.
2 - freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

God I do so praise you for who you are, for the mighty hand that spins this universe. I am coming now in prayer for that same hand in my life to deliver peace to me.

Peace from the disagreement and quarrels between my heart and head now. Those that tell me I've missed the mark. That I'm used up. That somehow things are my fault, so that I have no business wanting to be used more now. That I don't have more to offer than what I already have, and that there is limit and an expiration date.
Oh God - one does knows better, one doubts in the quiet.

Peace from the heavy blanket that tries to wrap around me when it's quiet. That tries to settle in as soon as the enemy sees an open door day & night. Help me not to snuggle into something that is not for my benefit and can damage my life and my walk with you.

The results of a life interrupted. I know I must lean in, in every moment. To rest in you God, to seek out your better plan. Its so hard right now to accept what I now understand I havent yet, to deal with what I know I am still holding on to.

Father pour out onto this daughter of yours confidence and patience as you make your new plan known to me, and whatever it is I pray I am quick to see it. Jesus wrap your ever open arms around me and intercede as my Warrior in those battles that are ever waiting to erupt. Holy Spirit, please guide me, whisper to me 'right or left' and show me steps to discover that plan.

God please keep me close to those you use so powerfully in my life, and continue to work all things together for my good.

Amen

Emilda's Run For Gold

2011-03-03T08:27:00.002-05:00

Imagine having the chance to compete in the 2011 Special Olympics in Athens Greece this summer. Imagine having to raise the money yourself to get there when you live in poverty. Now imagine that you have the mental capacity of a three year old and you live in a packed squatters community, next to a cemetery, in the poorest area in the Philippines where people struggle just to eat one meal a day.
Emilda's story could have been a disaster awaiting its end early in her life, but she was blessed to live where Compassion International came to the rescue. Emilda and her family not only have to battle her mental situation, but the dire and extreme poverty. But as a Compassion International child thing's have changed. She is sponsored by a family to attend a Compassion Child Developement Project in the Philippines where she receives therapy, food, acceptance, love, and even the expenses to compete in local and church competitions.

18 year old Emilda overcame her situation once through competing in those local games to make it to the 12th Annual Philippine Special Olympics in 2009 winning several gold, silver, and bronze medals in Track and Field competitions that qualify her for the games in Greece.

Emilda is not only running for medals, she is running for hope. And not just her own. When someone in that poor squatters community see her succeed they find their own hope. Hope for more than what they witness around them each day in surviving on eating from what they can find in the town dump or occasional days work that will earn them less than a dollar.

But Emilda is witnessing another miracle coming true. She needs almost $20,000 for travel to get her to Athens, hotel stays, food, equipment/uniforms, passport/visa and care while there. That will also cover her mother and her Compassion Project Director to travel with her to both keep her safe and to cheer her on. There is only a little over $7,000 still needed for Emilda to be able to make the games to compete for ultimate gold again. If you would like to be a part of helping her chance of a lifetime dream come true, and provide hope to all who will witness what sacrificial love can do, then give to Emilda's Run for Gold now at http://donate.compassion.com/special-olympics-athens/

Bittersweet

2011-02-08T10:30:00.002-05:00

That seems to be the theme of many days for me lately - bittersweet - and I am learning to love it surprisingly.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not some wall of strength that never falters, never has pieces break off, or even is torn down from time to time. Its just that hey, what choice do I have if I want to receive all that has been stored up for me?
I read a quote this morning from Charles Du Bos that said "The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become."
As we pass through this life there are moments of loss, of change, of death, of revelation, and of forks in the road. One thing they all hold in common - something has to end for something to begin.
Bittersweet by definition is "that which produces or expresses a mixture of pain and pleasure".
I am learning to embrace the bittersweet, because all lessons God is attempting to teach me are pointing that way. My life seems full of them right now. Moments of change mean that the death of something must happen, but not so just that something new can be born, but that it may be experienced to the fullest.

Rev 21:5
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new...

As bittersweet as it may be sometimes, I want every single bit of what God has for me that will help me become who He wants me to be. My King Jesus - undo me and make all things new!

How are you loved?

2011-02-01T15:59:00.003-05:00

Passionately. With a longing. Timeless. Deeply. With no condemnation. Unending.
Oh my stars don't those very words penetrate my very core and my heart as a woman!
I have always longed to be loved this way. I don't know of a woman who, if honest with herself, doesn't long to be loved that way, every single day.
I am still being transformed each day by the growing knowledge and understanding that I AM loved in this manner. And that I always have been.
That as I was created with such loving care in my mothers womb, it was all from such a precious age old design and plan that existed long before time ever began.
If you are in need of a reminder of how you are loved, or desire to know even for the first time you were ever loved at all, then join me for The Esther Experience Womens Retreat March 25th - 27th with Pat Wade and the Living Vessels Team at Ridgecrest Conference Center in NC... a beautiful, intimate, quiet setting perfect for a weekend that will allow your King to pour His love into you until it overflows! http://www.livingvessels.org/retreats

Marisa Lykins
http://love89djmarisa.blogspot.com
facebook: marisa lykins
twitter: marisalykins

Working for Treasure?

2011-01-31T13:13:00.000-05:00

Prov 8:17-21 “I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me. I have riches & honor, and enduring wealth and justice. My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver! I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice. Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries."

If we work for HIM this week friends, we WILL will be filled, and HE WILL provide!

Is there a leak in the the dam?

2011-01-27T21:24:00.003-05:00

Remember that scene from National Lampoons Family Vacation when Chevy Chase and his family were taking the tour and he stood there trying to put his bubble gum over the leaks in the Hoover Dam? Ridiculous right? You were watching it like me thinking, OMG - what an idiot!
Have you ever noticed a light on your dash board that says service engine soon and just kept driving? Maybe your heat and air unit made a strange noise every now and then but it was too cold to think about possibly having it off for a few hours to have it checked so you didn't? Your lap top froze a few times and you got that weird blue screen - not the fatal one - the other one that does however warn that something’s not right?
But we drive on, ignore, keep working, the whole time saying to ourselves that we really need to attend to whatever the noise, light, and warning sign has been. Then BOOM! The bottom of whatever it is drops out and there we are, shocked at the chaos, the aggravation, the attention that now must be poured into whatever is not working properly. Yes, even though there have been signs all along that we have ignored we then find ourselves in full blown panic and race around trying to plug up the proverbial hole in the dam even though there has been water leaking out for some time.
What about in our relationships? In our own physical or emotional lives? We see, feel, know that something’s not right and we even think to ourselves, I really need to tend to that - later.
What about that friend you haven’t talked to much in awhile because you had that weird argument? The spouse you find yourself just sort of existing within the house each day but its been going on so long you couldn't even put your finger on when it all started? The child that doesn’t seem to be at family dinners as much, doesn’t seem to be making an effort anymore at school when they always have before?
There are always warning signs. But for some reason we put off the things in life that make us feel uneasy until they become so unbelievably uncomfortable we can't even imagine addressing the issues at all.
Heed the warning signs - they're always there. Just like when the dashboard light comes on, when you first realize the relationship just isn’t what it was, when communication isn’t happening, when you are spending more and more time in uncertainty then stop, take stock, and address the problems before they become loud, smelly, chaotic, uncomfortable and costly holes in the dam.

"You have seen many things, but have paid no attention; your ears are open, but you hear nothing." Isaiah 42:20

Marisa

Marisa Lykins
http://love89djmarisa.blogspot.com
marisalykins@yahoo.com
facebook: Marisa Lykins
twitter: marisalykins

Our state of the union - sad, but for a different reason

2011-01-25T23:19:00.000-05:00

I'm not gonna get into the direction of Obama's speech - you have your opinions and beliefs and I have my mine, right? But what I do want to note - sadly - is that one way to gage I think the state of our union is unfortunately by the huge amount of Americans out there who could care less about actively participating in it.
They want no part of listening and watching a speech by the appointed and elected leader of our country. A man who is attempting to set the tone and direction for the next 12 months. Many prefer to get info second hand, watch tv shows that are on every week already, talk about frivolous things, and post random comments when people in other countries were listening and watching it all and would die, and do die, to have the chance to participate in what their governments are doing.
I purposefully kept one eye on Twitter and Facebook while I was listening.
So many were either slamming it before it began, not caring enough to know it was even on, or purposely choosing not to listen.
If its because of a certain party they feel the President does or does not represent, then they are choosing not to care based on completely affiliating themselves with a certain group of people - a group of human people. Humans. Where does that normally get any of us?
If its because his personal beliefs don’t align completely with theirs, how could they then not want to be informed first hand about what actions and direction he intends to take on behalf of our country?

I posted this verse earlier for a different reason but in this case I think it bears repeating.

Daniel 2:21-22
He controls the course of world events;

he removes kings and sets up other kings.

He gives wisdom to the wise

and knowledge to the scholars.

He reveals deep and mysterious things

and knows what lies hidden in darkness,

though he is surrounded by light.

Just like with anything else - God doesn't intend for us to sit back and let government and political agendas just happen TO us. Yes, He spins the cosmos, He tells the seasons to change, He doesn’t need us, He is that God.

But that God allows and expects us to actively be IN His story. Every part of His story. And as characters, not bystanders simply reading about it. And in the midst of it all He reveals things He wants us to know, to feel, to understand.

If the government is upon Christ’s shoulders shouldn't we take an interest in it?

If we are to intercede and pray for kings and those in authority because it pleases our Savior, then shouldn’t we do that from an informed basis? These are things His word tells us are true.

Look, its not always exciting or even easy to understand but we also cannot base what we think or believe in this arena any more than we can depend on what someone else says Gods word means if we don’t read it and study it for ourselves. If we actively engage, participate, and pray for wisdom, guidance, and enlightenment it will please Him.

Plus, I cant gripe about what I don’t try to understand or help change.

Just my humble opinion.

Marisa

Sometimes a girl just misses her Daddy.

2011-01-24T00:34:00.015-05:00

My Daddy died on April 1st 2005. Which I must tell you, I do still find just a bit hilarious. Daddy was such a prankster, a joker, and had just the best and silliest sense of humor - so really, it should have come as no surprise to me that God picked April Fools Day to bring him home :)
But here I am, almost 6 years later, sitting on the couch, unable to sleep, and missing my Daddy tonight.
I recently lost not just my job of 13 years, but my biggest outlet for personal ministry. But tonight its not so much about that, as how taken aback I am with how deeply I still need my Daddy.
Don't get me wrong, I have seen God moving in my life very specifically during this change and season.
"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling." Psalm 68:5
And I am a blessed woman in that He is speaking and loving on me when I most need it.
Matthew 6:8 “Your Father knows the things you have need of, before you ask Him.”
But when I feel any sense of loss, or a feeling of being lost myself, I not only want my heavenly Father but I always want my earthly Daddy too!
I just want to be able to talk with him. Be able to sit with him. To pour out my heart to him, to let him just love me as he listens.
Daddy was a good listener.
You know how it is when someone isn't. There you are sharing your core self, your thoughts, your innermost feelings, and you slowly become aware that at some point the person you are with has already jumped a full 2 minutes ahead of you in the conversation. They really aren't hearing half of what you say because they somehow feel that what they're about to share with you next will completely change the way you look at the world and bring you to great enlightenment so they can hardly concentrate on anything else. You know what I'm talking about. In fact you can envision their face. Yep, me too.
But not Paul Rush. A man with a lifetime of experience, who loved God, loved me, and truly wanted to help never rushed to respond. He always made sure he was hearing clearly the cry of my heart, that each feeling I had was expressed, and that he never interrupted me. He simply listened. It was important to him to understand me. Then, if I hadn't already fleshed out my own answer - which tends to happen if we take the time to talk through it out loud - he would then quietly began to ask me questions. The questions I hadn't thought to ask because I was too wrapped up in the emotion and hurt, or the questions I had dared not ask myself because I feared having to look deep enough to answer them.
One of the other things I also miss about how well my Daddy listened was that at some point, at exactly the right time, he would use that wonderful sense of humor of his to make me laugh (no doubt also why I was attracted to my husband, who still makes me laugh so hard each day). It was never too soon so that I didn't feel like he wasn't taking me seriously. Never at the wrong moment where I could have taken it that he was uncomfortable with our talk. And never just thrown in randomly at the end to try and wrap it up too soon. It always came from a place of love, care, and when and where he was led by the Holy Spirit.
Paul Rush was a man, a marine, a pastor, and a tradesman of a different generation - this all could have easily added up to him being a no nonsense kind of a guy. Things could have been very very different. He could have assessed the situations I brought him, complied the evidence quickly, determined the most plausible course of action I should take, and have been done.
But Daddy was a good listener. He loved me through that. And I really wish I could talk with him now. Sometimes a girl just misses her Daddy...

Marisa Lykins

It's raining...

2011-01-18T19:16:00.005-05:00

As the rain falls outside my Holiday Inn Express window, I sit here in my warm room with all the comforts I need, curled up under a warm fuzzy green blanket in a comfy chair. To my left is a refrigerator with my cold coffee drink for later. My bottle of water. I have the option of warm clean water to bathe or shower in. I have already eaten supper. To my right a big soft bed with not just one, but 4 pillows on which to rest my head. I'm under an intact roof.
And I'm thinking about Haiti.
About the children of Compassion International. But not just those children. About the children who desperately wish they were sponsored children of Compassion International. Because they see, they know, what a life saving difference a mere $38 a month makes in their friends lives who have sponsors. What blessed changes come when you're hungry, scared, thirsty, lonely, in need of medical care, emotional care, and to know hope... to get a sponsor means you are fed, clothed, schooled, see a doctor, get glasses, receive counseling and therapy if need be, and needed repairs to a leaky roof your family lives under. It means you are safe, you have hope, and above all this you meet Jesus - the Author of Hope.
I sit here thinking about the 200 children we will try to find sponsors for in the next 2 days at WCQR's onair drive to "Remember Haiti with Compassion". See, I have already looked at their precious faces through this link http://www.wcqr.org/
Those children who may not only be listening to the rain fall tonight, but who may be out in it, still hungry, still lonely, still yearning for what they dont understand but know they need... Hope
But when you are a child of Compassion like Guetchine you have hope, its there waiting when tragedy strikes

quality="high"
bgcolor="#FFFFFF"
width="480"
height="390"
allowFullScreen="true"
name="Media Suite Flash Media Player"
align="middle"
type="application/x-shockwave-flash"
pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" />

Remember Haiti - don't forget the least of these...

Marisa

Sometimes a Nap is Just Right

2011-01-16T20:07:00.003-05:00

I was thinking about Goldie Locks as we headed home from church today. Not the bears, but Goldie Locks.You know, how she looked for just the right bed? The bed that wasn't too hard, that wasn't too soft? See, I was thinking about a nap.
I was thinking that this weekend had been a busy one. I had dinner, laughs, and great conversation on Friday evening with my husband Todd, along with our pastor and his wife (so good in fact we didn't get home until 1am Saturday morning). Then it was early to rise for me on Saturday morning, off to spend a much needed sweet day of needed down time with the women's ministry leadership team (including a brief time of event planning), and a good meal together. Sunday of course was another early morning as Hubs and I headed to worship and hear the second message in a fantastic series our pastor is walking us through, on who we are as a church, what we believe, and where we are going as a united body of believers. This was followed by a long leisurely lunch with 20 friends.
The problem was, how do I justify a nap? Yes, it was a few really long days... but for such great and fun things! And here I was, actually considering where to have it as I looked out the passenger side window at the sun light glistening on the little patches of snow still dotting the sides of the road. In the bed, on the couch, in Todd's recliner - where would be just right for me today? But there were dishes to wash, clothes to wash, the second bedroom needed to still be completely cleaned out, and a lot more tasks that I needed to finish.
In the first chapter of Genesis, as His creation is revealed, it ends with "on the sixth day He rested", right? But that was after all once He created the earth and all it contained - not after He had hung out a couple of late nights with friends.Then I thought back over those 31 verses in Genesis again. Wait,... as God created the world - the WHOLE world mind you - it actually says that 'He saw what He had made and it was very good'... and it says that way more than once. It doesn't say He broke a sweat, then needed rest. He's God after all. But He did rest.Then it struck me. He was joyfully spending His time getting everything ready for fellowship with us! What He rested from were things that gave Him great pleasure, and I think to also say wow, this is good, this is what I desire.
This weekend was full of great fellowship, great pleasure, and time with friends who love Him - and it was good.
And so I napped. And it was just right :)
Marisa

Remembering Haiti

2011-01-10T15:55:00.006-05:00

As I prepare next week to travel to the Tri-Cities at WCQR Christian Radio to help my good buddy Dave Kirby host a two day 'Remembering Haiti' Child Sponsorship Drive with Compassion International, I am incapable of stopping the images from flooding back into my mind we all saw a year ago. Every local or national newscast, every online news source, every newspaper and magazine all reflected the horrors of the devastation that 7.0 magnitude earthquake left behind in Haiti in January of 2010.
Can it really be only a 12 months ago in Port-au-Prince that more than 220,000 people died, some 300,000 people were injured, and more than 1 million were left homeless?

And oh how our hearts broke at the images of the youngest of those left behind - so very many children. Some with only remnants of the families they once knew, some orphaned and completely alone.
They are still there you know, still living in make shift tents of ripped tarps and rocks. Still needing clean water, food, medical care, emotional help. And still needing the most basics things in life we all take for granted.
These children who had a hard enough time daring to dream bigger than what they saw within blocks of their homes before the disaster, now can't dream past tonight and the dire circumstances and extreme poverty in which they know they will still awaken to tomorrow morning.
But ever at the ready, with your help, is Compassion International and they ARE bringing hope! I have three Compassion children myself (one each in Guatemala, Columbia, and Ghana). I have seen first hand that in needy communities, operating through the local church, Compassion International projects all over the world are there ready to provide food, education, safety, health care, spiritual guidance, love, and hope - all wrapped up in Jesus!
Would you say a prayer for me, the staff of WCQR and those who will be tuning in? I'm so excited to be able to go help, and share the Children of Haiti and of Compassion with ther community. Pray for many to catch the vision, God's vision, of simply welcoming a child in His name. That with a monthly financial gift and exchange of letters they don't just provide the daily things that every child in this world deserves, but that they become the source God will use to begin to sew His Hope and help that child dare to dream bigger than they ever did before!
Yes the need is still so incredibly great in Haiti, but our God is greater, and through Compassion International hope is rising - and for those who will dare to help, they will be His hands and feet!
Every good thing is not for every one to do, but if you think you may be called to help a child to dream again, simply click the Compassion link you will find on my blog at http://love89djmarisa.blogspot.com/ (if you are already reading this and are already on my blog just look to your right toward the top of the page) Then pray for God to reveal the child He has already picked out just for you and release that child from poverty in Jesus Name!

About Town

2011-01-07T21:42:00.002-05:00

I'm sitting here with Hubs tonight and was thinking that you know, its January, things aren't quite as happening as they were around the holidays. Not that we all don't need the rest, to veg every now and then, but if you are looking for something to do and don't mind bundling up for a couple of them, there ARE some neat things around to partake in...

Its colder, but a fact is many animals at the Zoo love this time of year and are actually more active - now thru Feb 28th 2011 the Knoxville Zoo is holding "Penguin Discount Days"... That means admission to Knoxville Zoo is half-off! Bundle up and also don't forget the Wee Play Zoo - an indoor activity are perfect for a break and time to warm up. If it gets below 40 degrees some animals are taken inside but the big guys like the elephants, gorillas, bears and more are out, and also the reptiles and indoor areas are open! http://www.knoxville-zoo.org/
Its also time for the Zoo's annual phone book recycling program too now thru Jan 31st so you can bring an outdated phone book to the zoo and receive special admission. For each outdated phone book, guests will receive one-free admission ticket with the purchase of another. Since its also the Penguin Discount Days that means if you bring a phone book to recycle you can buy one admission is at half-price and get one free.

"Free Saturday Stories and Songs" programs are being held at participating Knoxville Library branches - get full schedules and locations at http://knoxrooms.sirsi.net/rooms/portal/page/Sirsi_HOME
There are other libraries with special events too like:
Blount County http://www.blountlibrary.org/GeneralCalendar.pdf

Cheer on 100+ people participating Jan 31st & Feb 1st in the "Special Olympics Winter Games in TN" at Ober Gatlinburg - details are at http://www.obergatlinburg.com/event/11/
Join others to support these athletes with intellectual disabilities as they compete in Alpine Skiing & Snowboarding!

The Titanic's first ever "Pigeon Forge Professional Ice Carving Competition"
Watch the world’s-most celebrated ice sculptors chisel 250-pound blocks of ice into fantastic designs that are beyond belief. This free one-day family event will take place in Titanic’s outdoor entertainment center Saturday, Jan. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Professionals and amateurs will compete for prize monies. It'll probably be pretty popular so I'd go early for the best views! http://www.titanicpigeonforge.com/

Don't forget too that a leisurely drive through Cades Cove can do wonders, even this time of year... great views can cleanse the mind and spirit and remind you of Gods handiwork in a whole new way than just the typical warmer seasonal visits. So consider packing lunches and heading out on that famed loop or one of these trailways below where the vistas should be nice and clear this time of year on those unclouded days!
http://www.smokies.ws/lookrock/
http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/
http://www.cherohala.org/

There are more events than this of course and I'll try to post some from time to time for you. I truly think that East TN is the best place to be any time of year!

Marisa

Chick-Chat: "Distractions - The Prequel"

2011-01-05T23:20:00.003-05:00

Chick-Chat: "Distractions, the Prequel"
I posted earlier about how sometimes God provides good distractions. Those meant to take my mind off me and my own struggles, to focus on how He is working around me and how that can be just the best blessing and picture of Him and who He is. The more I've thought about this, the more I kept going back in my mind to a much simpler time in my life...
(ok, this is where you should now hear that typical dream sequence music from every t.v. show and movie you've ever seen)
See that young girl over there? The one who's bending over that dandelion so intently examining each little tiny petal in her flip flops and shorts? She sees how each delicate petal tucks so tightly under the next ring of them, and marvels at how they look like hundreds of flowers in one!
See the other little girl, the one with the magnifying glass? Looking at the caterpillar she caught earlier? She's watching it undulate and wrinkle in on its self like many tiny waves meeting and moving apart as it crawls around slowly on the leaf she's holding in the other hand.
What about the girl who's lying in her back with her best friend? They're both wearing pink shirts (they like to wear the same colors on the same day because they've been best friends since they were in kindergarten, and its Pink Thursday after all). They lay there, head to head, looking at the clouds drifting by in ever changing shapes, deciding what each sees in them - a flower, a bunny, a mans head, a football, a bird...
We all handle it differently and we've dealt with it for longer than we think.
Picture yourself as one of the girls above. Those girls also have something they were waiting to do. One may have been waiting on mom to call her home for dinner. One may be waiting until the time her friend who lives down the street said to come over and play, once she was done helping her sister do chores. Or maybe waiting on her dad to finish whatever he was doing in the garage to come take her for a bike ride. Maybe the two picking shapes in the clouds were simply just waiting to grow up so their life could begin :)
We wait on that much needed job, on the kids to behave, on friends to stop making bad decisions and just listen to us already, for that future spouse to show up, or pop the question, maybe just for a chance to live out the dream you have been chasing for years, for that new way God will finally begin to use you again for His glory...
I used to be those girls, but I got older. And I had trouble waiting without getting anxious, fretting, getting impatient and trying to rush God's hand.
Psalm 52:8-9
8 But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.
9 For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.

So we should actually flourish, grow, and praise Him in the waiting – find hope in the waiting!

I remember being those girls, lazily distracted by the good things God provided because I was much more eager to see them then, to look for them. I still had enough child like wonder in me to seek them out even.
I have decided that’s how I should wait now. Like a child!
Because I think when I look at how much care He takes placing things around me for my pleasure, for my glimpses of Him, and yes my distractions from worry, I see how much He loves me.
Gods incredible creations are meant to perplex, amaze and baffle me!
So next time I'm getting impatient maybe I'll stop at a nursery or greenhouse and start choosing some flowers I may want to try my hand at planting in window boxes this Spring.
If you know me at all you know I won't be looking for creepy crawly things to look at to say wow look at what my God did - BUT I just may take a few hours at the zoo watching the lumbering mammoth elephants and the quick curious twitchy prairie dogs and see what His hand truly has done, and enjoy a nice walk at the same time.
And I just may find a spot in my own front yard the next time I'm feeling anxious, lay on a warm blanket, relax, and see what boats, planes, fish, and ducks I can find in the clouds.

But I'm thinking to really set the stage for connecting with that young girl I should first find a park with swings and see how high I can fly!

Marisa Lykins

About to Go Deep

2011-01-02T17:27:00.002-05:00

Friends - this isnt the usual blog/note post... it's a request for back up! :)

Through the changes over this last week at Love89 I have been so encouraged by many of you, so loved on, and so held by my God. But it has been so busy, so draining, so chaotic and overwhelming at times!

I have been led by God to spend the next two days (once my husband leaves for work each day) between the hours of 8am and 3pm being quiet with Him, praying and reading His Word, talking with Him, but more importantly listening for His voice.

I am asking you to back me up over the next two days.

I am seeking peace, a refreshing and renewing, and if its His perfect time also some specific direction, or to even know if I am just to continue being still in Him.
Some things are being spoken into my life already, and I just want so badly not to miss His voice, His best, His timing, and want to make sure its not just my desire.

So, with that being said I am simply asking this - if He brings me to your mind Jan 3rd and 4th, will you take at least a few moments and pray for me regarding these things?

What a blessing to be able to not just pray and talk with my creator, but to ask you to join me in seeking His plan for my life!

Thank you, and be joyful in ALL Things
Marisa

Prov 2:1-4
1 My child, listen to what I say,
and treasure my commands.
2 Tune your ears to wisdom,
and concentrate on understanding.
3 Cry out for insight,
and ask for understanding.
4 Search for them as you would for silver;
seek them like hidden treasures.

Distractions can be good things

2010-12-28T21:57:00.000-05:00

Here are three definitions of "distraction" according to the Farlex online dictionary:
1. a mental state characterized by a lack of clear and orderly thought and behavior
2. mental turmoil or madness
3. an obstacle to attention

I often think of distraction as a bad thing, and rightly so - I dont want to be distracted from the goal, the path, the vision, the plan, the truth.
And let's not even talk about number two :)

But sometimes I have learned there are God planted and designed distractions that are meant for the other definition I found...
4. an entertainment that provokes pleased interest and distracts you from worries and vexations

I am so glad that God will always make a way to keep me from becoming focused on my own issue, struggle, or concern (of course its my choice to see it and take it and sometimes I can be stubborn... you?)
As I move through a time of distinct and sudden change in my life, where its easy to even focus on concern for others to the point of feeling overwhelmed, my God is gracious to provide me a chance to be distracted by His goodness.
I got to go with my husband Todd tonight as Lonnie Hunley, President of IBEW Local 760 for 25 years, was honored for that service - for his dedication and loyalty, for working to better life for the members and their families, for helping to give back to more than 10 local charities just this year alone.
It was a precious time for him and for the Local 760 members who attended the special resolution passed at the City Council meeting tonight.
And it was a sweet way to have God give me a break too and say - "let go for a few minutes child, look, see what good things I am doing overhere!"

See I know the right verses about not worrying, laying things at His feet, etc etc... but sometimes I'm stubborn, and I need Him to lovingly distract me... you?

Winter Snow

2010-12-25T10:23:00.000-05:00

Sitting here on Christmas morning I am a mixed bag of emotions. I am quiet in the moment, realizing how softly (to the world at least), how quietly announced the Christ child's arrival was. Only to a few who watched with eyes and ears and hearts and minds tuned to the cosmos and scriptures understood. The soft coos from the King of Kings lips I am sure soothed the animals back to sleep after His cries as he entered this world shattered the stillness of that night and set them on edge.
But I also feel a churning in my heart with the knowledge of how Heaven and the places in between it and this earth shook with the war of angels and demons to keep Him and His mother safe - and to usher in the deliverance of our Savior! Think of just how closely the evil one must have been watching the events unfold and how frantic he was to stop it!

As I think of the One called Faithful and True, how He will arrive for me one day in His full Glory and Majesty, that He gave up that Glory to become an infant that was inexpressibly Son of God and Son of man in need of food and warmth, as I am... it is beyond my understanding.

But that is, now that I think of it, how I spend most of the days on my journey here - on an exciting swinging pendulum with my God.

I am a back and forth in my thoughts on Him. There are moments of soft murmurs of praise and awe, whispers of love, silent petitions of peace for myself or someone else. Then seemingly within minutes He can reveal Himself in miracles, undeniable grandness, or something rocks me to the core and in the next breathe come my desperate pleas and cries for mercy, movement of mountains, and the question He is big enough to hear and take on Himself - why God????

Moments of quiet sweetness considering the threads He weaves between my life and those around me (and oh my sweet Lord how many go unseen because I am not aware)... slammed up against times of such loud revelations of what He is doing that they demand out loud Hallelujahs from me as He shouts into my life!

I am watching this Christmas snow fall, feeling and hearing the quiet and reverent duet He and I sing to one another. Yet we are also jumping and leaping and dancing with abandonment and joy together, within my heart where He resides this morning!

Merry Christmas Jesus - thank you... its not enough, but Thank You

Marisa
Dec 25th, 2010

Been a weird day friends...

2010-12-21T18:40:00.000-05:00

Ever have a day that feels at moments like its a combination of deja'vu stirred up with what it must be like to be sleep walking - yet you know you are not? Don't know if that accurately describes what this day has been like for me but I don't know what really would anyway... lets just call it 'very weird' why don't we.
I have actually had moments of great clarity today - moments mind you - but they seem to cloud over almost as quickly as they came. And when it happens its almost as if there is a haze that almost has depth and color too just out of my peripheral vision. I think if I could really see it, it might be a blueish green, swirling in and around and settling almost like a light blanket around me... not necessarily touching me or on me but around me very closely.
I'm sitting here now with the tv on, Mr Pickles lounging on the couch, my hubs Todd in his chair eating a bowl of chili, and I somehow don't feel like I'm really even in the room.
I've tried to think on and consider several things of great importance today. In those moments of clarity I managed to settle a few immediate things and address them.
But the other hazy, cloudy, dreamlike moments far outweigh those, and have been so plentiful I almost question now that the clear moments actually existed :)
It's amazing how God has wired us, with protective measures built in, so that if we stay tuned into ourselves closely enough we can recognize the flags that raise themselves up to warn us. Yep, I think He's telling me to get some sleep, sleep that hasn't been plentiful or come easily lately.
So yes, I see the flag.
I think I will eat a bowl of chili next to Mr Pickles, talk with Hubs for a bit to reconnect from spending this day apart, read Jeremiah 32:40-41, then settle down for a long winters nap.

Worshipping While I Wait

2010-12-18T20:22:00.000-05:00

Well, its been a long time since I last posted... and I think I now know why. I kept wondering with as much as I enjoy writing, sharing, and pondering on paper so to speak why is it that God has literally stilled my hands?
To listen more. To learn more. To read, to hear from His Word, from His people, from His music, from His creation... at first I wondered if I did such a great job? I thought if I had that I wouldn't be so taken aback by some things in my life right now, right? Surely He plants signs along the way, right? Or does He let things take us by surprise because if we knew what was coming we would be so anxious and panicked by what was coming down the road toward us we would be frozen in place? Yes, its a mixture in life of both - but either way He knows best. He works things together for our good. He is sovereign. He is orchestrating everything from before today, in this moment, and in days to come to accomplish His Will within the choices I make - be them good or bad.
And I do believe with all my heart all these things and more about my God.
And He certainly has been speaking - through all the ways listed above and more. I am amazed each day when I am available and aware just how sweetly He does this.
And are you like me? Sometimes when He speaks do you wonder, even though you are asking for Him to, 'was I really ready for that'?
9 days ago as I literally found myself face first on the floor crying out to Him with all that is within me for some understanding on what was happening in my life, as my husband quietly played guitar leading a small group in intimate worship, as friends around me sang and prayed, and as my friend Lisa held me in her arms, weeping with me with an equally broken heart for me and my pain, and as we both questioned "Why God?!" I clearly heard Him say "Daughter, loved one, worship me while you wait"...
At first I couldn't believe what I had heard, and I cried all the harder - how could this be??? God how can you say this??? I must be hearing this wrong - my heart and head both could not comprehend it - but then there is was again... His still and calm voice in my head and in my heart again saying "Daughter, loved one, worship me while you wait"... oh my God, what you are asking - its so hard, but then He reminded me of the hard things He has done for me that were asked of Him.
And so I do - I worship while I wait on Him to show me what's next, what the questions mean, what I should do... what choice do I have but be obedient? To do anything else will not bring peace, will not bring comfort, and will not allow me true joyful deep fellowship with Him or His people.
And He is Faithful - He gave me just a clearly on a day when I was faltering badly Jeremiah 32:40-41, and then when I faltered once again He clearly gave me Psalm 27:14... and when I shared them each time the response was immediate.
(I so always love that in each of our lives He is constantly weaving threads of truth that bind us to one another)
It is confirmation that the waiting is purposeful, that it will bring promises kept so sweetly, that I can stand on the firm foundation that He is I AM...

Psalm 27:14
"Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord."

Jeremiah 32:40-41
"And I will make an everlasting covenant with them (that's us!) - I will never stop doing good for them.
I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me.
I will find joy doing good for them and will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land"

Oh Lord I want to be planted with deep roots!

I went in search again in His word on this sleepless night for some peace again, because my flesh is weak... and my need for Him to reassure me was strong - I needed to crawl up in His lap and ask Him again, Lord, when will I know the answers I seek? How will I know when I need to turn to the right or to the left? That it's you who directs me? Lord where are my answers hidden?

It was then He led me to Proverbs 2:1-11 and sinking into a warm bath I soaked in this:
1 My child, listen to what I say,
and treasure my commands.
2 Tune your ears to wisdom,
and concentrate on understanding.
3 Cry out for insight,
and ask for understanding.
4 Search for them as you would for silver;
seek them like hidden treasures.
5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
and you will gain knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord grants wisdom!
From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
8 He guards the paths of the just
and protects those who are faithful to him.
9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,
and you will find the right way to go.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will fill you with joy.
11 Wise choices will watch over you.
Understanding will keep you safe.

Oh Jesus - how I love how you love me!

So I will ask Him again and again for wisdom and knowledge, seek the counsel of those who walk deeply with Him, cry out to Him daily, search His word for hidden treasures, I will do in the mean time what is right and do it with integrity, and I will treasure His guidance.

What ever is on the other side of my waiting, it will arrive with purpose, I will be replanted in His fertile good soil, in His time, and for His greater Glory. And even while I wait and continue to worship Him, I am still a part of His great story :)

Waiting with Joy,
Marisa

Easter - You're The Story Too!

2010-04-02T13:32:00.001-04:00

(by Marisa Lykins first printed Easter 2008 in Christian Family Magazine)

Envying Mary Magdalene This Easter?

We all have Ladies. Admit it, we wish we knew what she saw, felt, experienced. She was in the very presence of Christ! You’ve imagined what it was like, right?
Come on, at least once you’ve tried to…
Imagine how blessed she was to be a woman in His presence.
Imagine seeing miracles performed by a Savior you know can change more than the sight of that man, the legs of that child – He can change the world.
Imagine personally seeing YOUR life made whole out of complete brokenness by the one you call Savior.
Imagine being someone He enjoys being around, talking with, and sharing life with.
Imagine righteous anger at someone questioning His Deity as he stands with those who try to twist His words.
Imagine the pain of realizing He is being mocked, hurt, and dishonored.
Imagine the horror of what they did to Him, at His death, and the ultimate sacrifice He makes even for those who don’t believe yet.
Imagine being so excited and anxious as you contemplate His triumphant return that He told you about!
Imagine being aware that He is Risen!!
Imagine realizing all things are made new – He said it’s why He came!!!
Imagine realizing that this means you, yes even you, will be with Him for Eternity!!!!

Wait a minute… it’s not over 2,000 years ago. You’re you. This is today. You know every bit of what you just read to be as true at this very moment as it was that day she found the tomb empty and then beheld her Lord.
You know the tomb is empty, you behold him in your heart, your spirit. You see miracles every day though the lives around you he changes, in your own brokenness that He healed and make whole. You know righteous anger when others don’t see Him as the Son of God, when they don’t recognize or believe His Sacrifice. You too can know Him intimately if you want. He loves spending time with you. He loves talking with you. He has told you of His triumphant return and given you His Promises, are you not excited and anxious for them?
Then get out there “Mary”, you too can share with the world that you know the Risen Savior Jesus Christ, you know the Truth of what He did… you don’t have to imagine you’re part of the greatest story ever told!

Marisa Lykins
April 2008
Love89.1FM

Shaken Not Stirred

2010-03-25T07:18:00.000-04:00

When is the last time you were afraid? Worried?
Last night at our lifegroup we began the evening just sort of chatting and IT quickly and naturally because of all the media coverage came up – what did we think about the new healthcare plan… were we worried? Afraid? How did we think it would affect us and our families? Then we easily got into the heart of our discussion based on the series our pastor has been doing this month – an unshakable faith.
Some of what causes us to fear something is sometimes known facts, but I venture to guess for most of us (if you’re like me and I think you are) it’s the “unknown”.
Isn’t that what usually causes fear to grip our heart? Keeps us up at night? Give us high blood pressure? Anxiety attacks? Stresses us out?
When was the last time you were really afraid? Is it something happening right now? It is a possible loss of a job? Your health? A rebellious child? A rocky marriage? It’s usually most often because of the unknown and because there are unknowns we begin to work through scenarios of just how bad a situation might be or become – and that always somehow ends up being on the “worse” end of the spectrum, right? We rarely imagine the best possible scenario when there is an unknown. :)
That’s letting fear decide what our perspective is.
We let fear and uncertainty convince us something will go wrong - if not that something is wrong - and that if it does go wrong we let it convince us something is true when it isn't, or that it will be very likely the most horrible thing that could ever possibly happen! Sometimes we rush to judgment and end up even taking someone else down with us in that fear and despair over an end result we cannot begin to predict or know!

It even causes us to decide to judge others situations, or what kind of people they are just because we know so very little about them. When we judge our own situation or others like this we made drastic mistakes. And the results? Well, they are anything but prayerful or discerning reactions. Fear of the unknown distorts our vision and our reactions.

Psalm 112:7
They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.

Psalm 118:6
The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?

Proverbs 1:33
But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”

Proverbs 3:24
You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.

Jeremiah 39:17
but I will rescue you from those you fear so much

Might we consider this thought… that whatever the situation may be in actuality or what it may become, and even if it does end up being extremely difficult and causes all sorts of fall out in our lives – that maybe it’s STILL not really all about us?
That the bigger plan may just be about someone else’s needs more than our own, more than about us – that’s even if it’s hard to get through that we are meant to serve someone else in the process that may or may not ever become evident later?
Can we live with that? We should be able to if we truly accept and believe we have a loving faithful God that is never shaken, is never taken, is never sleeping, and if we understand that Romans 11:36 is truth and is the release we need to be unafraid and have an unshakable faith in our God “For from Him, through Him, and to Him are all things.”

Marisa Lykins
Love89.1FM
March 25, 2010

a flash of yellow

2010-01-17T11:54:00.000-05:00

This morning my own flesh screamed to stay in bed. Then it became my head, overwhelmed with thoughts to distraction for the last 24 hours or so, about the world around me. I feel caged yet the need to be alone.
But the obvious is the easiest to deal with. It's the less obvious, the deeper stuff that's the hardest to deal with when you can't even define it. There has been an underlying buzzing that has been working its way up, louder and louder underneath obvious layers... but what is it? Where is it coming from? Is it real? Imagined? It's driving me crazy I do know that. Making me want to pace this morning.

Finally I recognized it. It's coming from within. Within myself. It's my heart, my heart is working its way from buzzing into a full blown scream... to scream for relief from what is happening around me - it feels as if it it will burst!

It's not the first time.
My heart was screaming when my dad was lying with his hand in mine in the process of death, struggling to breathe, before he finally heard me say go home and breathed his last in my arms and the peace of God washed over me. My heart sang then finally!

When I first beheld the poverty of Columbia in the eyes of a young girl named Evelyne, telling me of being raped and beaten by an uncle numerous times, her fear, hurt, despair... then she sang me and the Compassion International team I was with her own song she wrote about her Redeemer she saw in the stars as she looked up each night from her bed while it happened and how He saved her, and His peace washed over me. My heart sang then and the screaming stopped!

I know what I need. Him. I dig out my laptop and began opening my favorite sites holding Gods Word. Looking for comfort. I couldn't concentrate. Weird I thought, God's Word brings comfort, yes, but today I still felt like pacing.
Then I heard Him whisper, just sit and talk with me.

So I do and I start with the flash of yellow I saw two days ago in footage from Haiti I cannot get past. I cannot get it out of my head. A yellow shirt on a small body underneath the grey block 5 times bigger than her. My heart vibrates.
The grey is everywhere. Stone, mortar, dirt, sand, lack of life.
So much grey it hurts my eyes to look at it. How? Grey by its definition is a "lack of colorfulness", but it hurts, literally hurts my head and my eyes when I look at the photos and reports
Then that flash of yellow on the news video that caught my eye.
Yellow is such a cheerful color... sunshine, daisies, smooth sweet butter, warmth... my granny Reva showed me how to hold buttercups under a chin and see a reflection of that color underneath.
A little yellow shirt, so bright against the grey. I have not been able to get that little flash of yellow out of my mind. Its beginning to whine, my heart.

I wonder if she felt happier that morning just by putting it on. It looked amazingly clean and bright. Maybe it was new, new to her at least.
She looked size wise to be about 4, but size in Haiti in regards to age is not an easy thing to discern.
Malnutrition has made some children so small for their age, their development process very slow and off somehow.
It doesn't matter I guess in the grand scheme of things that I wonder about.

How did her day begin? You might say it doesn't matter in perspective to how it ended, but it does. How her day began, how every child's day began and begins in Haiti matters, as much there as it does for any child here.
I want to the flash of yellow to go away. I want just as much to never forget it. I want my heart to stop screaming. His peace is at the edges, I feel it like a far away outline of a huge bubble so I know its there. But maybe I am meant to hear the screaming for awhile longer.

The flash of yellow I cannot forget, never will. Her little body was silent and unmoving, grey too with the dust of the rubble on and around her.
That yellow shirt... had her mom or dad, maybe a big sister dressed her, maybe lovingly helped her fix her hair in sassy little braids of sorts sticking up all over her head? Were they alive? Did she die alone?
And my heart is not silenced at all - it is writhing as it screams!

But here's what my God shared with me as we talked this morning.
My heart still moves and screams because it needs and desires His comfort and presence, to be closer to Him in this time, and that is my own dance with Him... It is my Lord drawing me to His heart!
To discover His purpose in the goodness that will come of this is the continuation of the dance. And that takes time. How best to walk through something with someone than to hurt for them, with them, even past them. To be a follower of Christ means to follow Him to where He is needed and to see and feel as He does as much as we can. He feels the hurt, the pain, the loss, and as His we should too. Thank you that I feel you God - that you want to dance with me!

I just read a Twitter post that a baby girl was born safely this morning in Port Au Prince Haiti... in the midst of destruction, life begins anew, life goes on.

2 Corinthian 4:8-10 NLT
8 We (they) are pressed on every side by troubles, but we (they) are not crushed. We (they) are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We (They) are hunted down, but we (they) are never abandoned by God. We (they) get knocked down, but we (they)are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our (their) bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our (their) bodies.

My heart screams so yours won't scream alone, so that new born Haitian baby's heart will not scream alone, and so that other hearts may begin to hear and not remain silent for "them".

screaming in love!
Marisa

Marisa Lykins

Think Again...

2009-11-19T14:07:00.000-05:00

Got the list below in an email...
I added a little and tweaked a bit, but Truth is Truth!!
The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember...
Most people we admire in scripture didn’t think they could be used either. We remember that they were great men and women of God, but we forget they were in desperate need of him

Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were told they were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah though of talking his own life
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer
AND Lazarus was dead…
What did they have in common?

Jesus helped, changed, and used them all!
He chooses the weak because in our weakness His strength is revealed
If you feel like everything’s a mess, let Him untangle the knots as you move.
You aren't the message, you are the messenger.
No more excuses – whatever He is calling you to He is equipping you for.
Don’t buy into the lies anymore - Listen only to His Voice of Truth

**Marisa’s twist on an unknown authors thoughts

The Perfect Man?

2009-10-29T06:53:00.000-04:00

I received some of the following statements in an email forward after getting an earlier email the same day about a friend of mine who is struggling right now. She's a single mom who is so dedicated to her kids, her friends, her church, and her community and I thought of her when I read it. I also thought of several other ladies, some single some not, who have shared some things with me over the past few months... I tweaked it a bit and added a few thoughts. Ladies, this is for for you...

Dear Friend, if you are longing today, you don’t have far to look:

He is a gentleman – He never takes anything by force, and gives selflessly
He is a confident provider and protector
He is rich and powerful… He owns everything; and there is nothing He wouldn't do for you
He perfects all things concerning you
He anticipates your wants and needs, He has from before you were formed
Every day He tells you and shows you how much He loves you – Are you listening?
You never have to perform in order to earn His love
He keeps all of His promises
No one can influence His opinion of you – in fact He intercedes on your behalf and you have no greater fan!
He is the ultimate intimate partner – the lover of your soul, your creator and the only One who knows you inside and out
He can't disown you or throw you away, you are a part of Him and bought with a precious price
He covers you and doesn't expose you
And He left you the most wonderful love letter, unforgettable words of encouragement and care so you will never forget how He feels about you…

Wake up every day and greet Him in your life!
His is Christ Jesus, and His perfect love is all you need.
Rejoice today no matter what it may bring - The King has claimed you as His princess and His bride and loves you more than any man or anyone ever could!

Marisa
Love89

I was wearing Jesus!

2009-08-20T14:31:00.000-04:00

In the middle of 250+ children, countless moms, the deacons and elders, pastors, project workers, and the team I was traveling with in Ghana Africa, at the Galilea Gods Will Compassionate International Student Center… I, a simple 43 year old mom and wife, learned what it was like to wear Jesus.

Outside of Accra Ghana, as our team gathered to interact with the children who had been planning and anticipating our arrival for weeks, the energy was palpable.
After an amazing worship service together their eyes and smiles were so big as they watched us begin to set out our bags of toys and playthings down to arrange them. I remember wondering if their little faces might actually be getting sore from so much smiling - their little cheeks almost bursting!
The laughter, singing, squealing, and hand clapping was deafening as we pulled out the bubbles, coloring sheets, stickers, balls, jump ropes, and more! The children rushed up against me, against us all, making large circles surrounding us at least 7-8 bodies deep.
They were so excited! So were we!
The air was so thick, hot, and humid with all our bodies pressed together. The music started again and some groups began dancing . They LOVE to dance!
As I moved from one spot on the floor to another just to try and make sure I interacted with as many different children as possible they followed me as if their cloths were sewn to mine.
Suddenly what could have been have been overwhelming suddenly wasn't at all. Everything seemed to almost begin to move in slow motion and I felt calmness and a sense of peace in that chaos that was so surreal.
That’s how it began...
As things slowed I could almost hear the rustling of cloth against cloth as I moved through the crowd of kids, then the scrape of my shoes along the concrete floor as I moved back and forth. I looked down as I felt the small arms of a young wisp of a girl wrap around my waist and her small feet stepped up to stand on mine - just to be as close to me as possible.
I heard a whisper in my heart say "see, this is what it was like for me, to be surrounded by those who love you because you are you, and simply want you to love them the same way in return".
“What?” my heart lurched.
"See the child at your side, she has been waiting to just be able to touch you, for you to just be with her and show her you care.” I did see how she simply looked at me with excitement and expectation and I wrapped my arms around her and we swayed together to the drums. I told her she was beautiful and she beamed!
After we danced a while, I worked my way over to where the bottles of bubbles were and begin holding the wand up to all their lips. Laughter erupted from all of us each time the bubbles floated up!
The voice whispered again, “See there, there is a young boy waiting for you to really see him" I seemed to feel gentle fingers gently turn my head to where a group of children still sat in their chairs, not up and running around like the others. I saw a young boy with what I could only assume was cerebral palsy being held in his sisters lap – they were watching me intently.
As the sounds all rushed back as my eyes rested on that young boy. I walked over to him holding the bubble wand out. His big brown eyes crinkled up in the corners as he tried to smile at me. I held the wand close to his lips and he breathed out toward it as best he could, trembling with excitement… his sister smiled so sweetly at him then at me. I joined him in blowing into the wand and bubbles flew up! He jerked with joy! And when he felt the tiny bubble burst on his cheek that we created together his breathing turned to bursts of his own unique sound of laughter!

I laughed out loud too and Jesus whispered again. “See how beautiful? How precious each breath is? How much I love Him and how much I love you? So much that I orchestrated and wove threads of your lives together over 10,000 miles of ocean apart just to bring you to this place, at this moment, all so this young child could blow bubbles with me!”

Tiny hands reached for my attention again and I turned. As I reached out to pull all the children close to tell them of how much my Jesus loved them, what He did for them long ago, what He wants for their lives, it was as if I could feel His hands lovingly on top of mine, His arms draped along my shoulders as I hugged them… As I asked them if this news of my Jesus made them happy they began to dance with joy and pulled me along with them.
That voice sweetly said “See? Through you I love them, I touch them, I play with them and I dance with them, and through them I love you, touch you, and dance with you my daughter”

Oh my word, I was wearing Jesus!

See the thing is, we can make a choice every day at any given moment whether or not to put on Jesus. Like the softest of sweaters we can see with His eyes, touch with His hands, serve with His heart, dance with Him... He’s already there, waiting.
Oh how I want to wear Jesus!

All I Can Say Is Beautiful!

2009-08-10T21:03:00.000-04:00

We serve a beautiful God who could weave a thread across and ocean to bind the lives of an African child to mine... Todd and I just became mom & dad again with the help of Compassion International! Meet my Bernard and his sweet sister Beneditta from Ghana!

Lucy

2009-08-09T20:08:00.000-04:00

Day 2 continued - Lucy walks home from the Compassion Project long dirt roads. A beautiful girl with a shy smile who passes street after street lined with adults and kids alike in need, looking for hope. She passes a man selling third hand shoes that he found in the dump to earn a living. She keeps her head up though. She passes a building falling in on itself that holds a make shift market stand where a woman sells soup to take care of her family - selling it to those who have nothing to cook soup on... no big silver pot to place over an open flame for them or they would try to eek out a living too.
Lucy walks on, gingerly stepping on stones over the open sewer stream that runs where a street used to be a few years ago. That sewer stream leads to a small lot with a three walled room where she and her family crowd into to sit, and escape the midday sun, and simply be a family.
Did I mention her family consists of Lucy, her dad, her stepsister an brother, her grandmother and great grandmother, who cares for them all while the dad makes $1.50 a day to fish on another mans boat. That is their income - when the fishing is good that is. It not right now. Both previous wives walked away from this family. Did I mention they have to buy undeground water because they have none in the home? Did I also mention that everytime it rains it foods the three walled concrete floor with that sewer waste we so carefully stepped around and over to visit her home? And that they need rain though to grow food? And that they asked us to pray about both????

Did I mention Lucy has hope because each day when she walks home its from the local Compassion Project where she has just been fed, looked after, educated, and loved on by men and women who love Jesus and want to make sure Lucy has every opportunity to know and love Him too?

to sponsor a child log on now to love89.org and click the link on the bottom left!
Marisa

My Africa?

2009-08-07T14:22:00.000-04:00

After quite the ordeal to get here that meant our finally plane left JFK 3 hours late and with a whole new brake system... I was strangely very calm about.
I arrive in the capital of Ghana. Standing in the rundown airport, with it's odd odors, the airport staff wearing facial masks to ward of the swine flu germs and Lord knows what else floating around, people from so many places, going to so many places, and bits of languages I do no understand in the least... I am still strangely calm.
After sitting in a shuttle van for almost an hour crammed full of most of our team and luggage alone in the parking lot in strange country waiting on our team leader who was inside the airport with 2 whose luggage did not make it... I am again, calm.

Check in. Lunch. An unexpected chance to go ahead and visit a Christian school outside Accra with Dr John of the Ashanti Tribe & Rev Harry Thomas of the states (the two men have been friends for 20 years & with Gods divine vision obediently birthed this school to sit right smack dab in the middle of a Muslim Community!).
I met the head mistress (helping run this school since its inception, she is 60 years old now with the most beautiful skin and smile and laugh.
The ride from there to the top of a mountain Dr John wanted us to see took us through villages and towns with an assault on my senses - smells, sights, sounds, potholes that could swallow small cars, the haves and the have nothings living side by side along the way... not only am I calm... I feel at home.

What does this mean? I think it means that the next few days of my Compassion International Trip that has brought me to this strange and wonderful place I have somehow yearned for will contain untold assaults on my other senses, the more important ones - my spiritual eyes and ears, my heart, and my soul... I can't wait to see what God will reveal here in Ghana~

Marisa
Love89

To Sweat or Not To Sweat

2009-07-09T08:11:00.001-04:00

To sweat or not to sweat – that is the question...
OK, I’m reading “The Noticer” by Andy Andrews, our Chick Chat Book Club selection of the month for July. One of the main characters, Jones, a.k.a the noticer, who always turns up just when he’s needed with just the right things to say, the right advice to give, and a different perspective of their life that seems to impact that life almost supernaturally, just spoke something into the life of another character in the chapter I was on last night that really was pretty cool. Jones asked Henry if he had ever heard the phrase “don’t sweat the small stuff?”
We’ve pretty much all heard that one and we all agree probably that in the usual context (things out of our control) that its very true and very good advice. But Jones challenged Henry to view that statement in a different way. Not to negate the meaning of it the way we have always heard it, but to see it in a different light, from a different perspective. We should sweat the small stuff when it comes to the actions we choose to take, that affect others, that affect how they see us, things we are in control of at least in the sense of having that choice.
The choice to make dinner for that sick person at church, or down the street
The choice to offer to run an errand for a friend that is overwhelmed
The choice to take a couple bucks and give it to the person in front of you in line at the store because they’re a little short
The choice to court your spouse like you did before you were married
The choice to ask that friend out for coffee that you haven’t spent time with lately – or that new friend that needs to feel included
The choice to stop, smile and say hello to that person at the table next to you at Panera who looks like they could definitely use someone just to acknowledge they are alive
The choice to sweat the small stuff that you can do or not do that really matter to everyone around you.
We all have a dream, the big picture if you will, of what we want our life to be, and how we want others to see us…. In “The Noticer” Jones said that in this case most of us don’t get that the big picture we envision will be entirely composed of the small stuff – that the big picture will never be a masterpiece if we ignore all the purposeful tiny brush strokes… and a lot of those have been painted into our big picture by others right?
Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,
The truly amazing thing is that when we do in this context “sweat the small stuff” we not only change our own big picture but we can actually get to be one of the beautiful tiny brushstrokes in someone else’s masterpiece!

Marisa
Love89

Gifts

2009-06-25T18:14:00.000-04:00

To really live, fully live and feel alive, we have to find our passion... we have to use our gifts to serve. And we all come equipped for at least one thing that is THE thing that will pull and draw us to finally selflessly serve & give to others and will simultaneously draw us closer to Christ. By the way, serving is simply doing what He has already made you good at to make someone else’s life better!
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:6-8)
Sometimes the way we become aware of that gift comes quite unexpectedly. It may not be what you ever even knew you had a heart and burden for, or ever considered that you would be good at... sometimes it’s revealed because we decided to step outside our comfort zone one day, we go along with our family or small group to join others at a homeless shelter, or decide to adopt a single mom and her family at the holidays, or we pitch hit for a friend who is sick and can’t pull her Mobile Meals route one day, and WHAM - your heart becomes both broken for what you see the needs are around you and at the same time it is joyful and you somehow feel more excited and fulfilled than you have in years – if ever before!
Identifying what your gifts are can be gained from close introspection of yourself, how you react to certain situations, by taking a spiritual gifts assessment (of which there are plenty online, and in most churches), sometimes God simply reveals it to you with a resounding clarity during a mission trip, walking through a difficult season of life with a friend , any number of experiences where you spend selfless time... God will use that time to hone your gifts and reveal them to you and to others.

And no, you aren’t the exception, a person with no visible gifts, you were not left out, EVERYONE has been gifted with talents. If we are made in His image we contain His love, compassion, and concern… He would not command us to do His work without giving us what we need to do it!

(continued)

Discover them:
1. Take a gifts test to determine how God has gifted you. They are easy to search on the internet or your home church may already have one. Also ask yourself what gives you life? What makes you happy to do? What are you good at? What do your friends think you are especially good at?
2. Make a list of your top two or three spiritual gifts you score the highest on. What ways do you already use those gifts? Look for ways you can serve God and others that highlight these strengths. Think about the things that cause you concern in your world.
4. If there are things you’re currently committed to and perhaps not gifted in, you may need to cut back a little so you can make time to really use your gifts. If you are doing something just because, truly begin seeking that new passion – it may be right under your nose!

1 Corinthians 12:4 (New Living Translation)
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.
Romans 11:29 (New Living Translation)
For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.

Whatever you do seek and use your gifts. Think about it this way - if you gave a gift to someone that you really thought so long and hard over, that you went through the trouble matched up a gift for someone with everything you knew about their likes, their dislikes, their personality, what you thought would benefit them the most, and they never used it, no doubt you’d be disappointed . . . How much more so must God, who uniquely created and gifted each one of us, eagerly desire to see us use our gifts!? He’s passionate for you, be passionate for funding the purpose He created you for!

How Deep Are We Digging our Ditches?

2009-06-14T16:31:00.000-04:00

In 2nd Kings Chapter 3 the three kings join forces to come together to fight Moab. They found they were in need of help in the desert with nothing to sustain them or give them the edge they need to fulfil the mission they had been given. Elisha gives them a word from God... to dig ditches.
Dig ditches. In the desert.
Now, without any rain or clouds in sight the three kings and those they served with in battle obeyed and dug the ditches. They awoke to ditches filled to the brim! This is a passage I never thought about much until my pastor shared it at the prayer walk we did at our churches new property recently (I shared that prayer walk in my last blog entry).
What I have been meditating on is how my pastor used it that day. I have been thinking about the fact that they received the abundant blessing they needed and more because of two things.
They dug when they were told to dig, and that they dug deep - they went all in.
In the dry, arid, desert earth, they dug them deep.
It's not the easiest thing to do, to dig when its dry, in the heat, the sand flying in your mouth and eyes blinding you to everything that is ahead, in a barren landscape, when you can't see the outcome in front of you... but dig they did.
Sometimes we are seemingly asked to do things that don't make sense, so we only do them halfway maybe. Sometimes we we are asked to do things that make perfect sense, the next logical step in the process if you will. But we still only do them half heartily because we expect the next logical reaction to the step we take. We're not expecting miracles.
Our Pastor made this comment - that most of the time we don't dig our ditches as if we are expecting enough, so we never receive the total blessing intended.
WOW.
What could happen if we just give God bigger reservoirs to fill?
What if we really believed He is bigger than our minds can comprehend?
What if we honestly knew in our heart of hearts that He does love us, wants the best for us, wants to give us all we need and more?
What if we truly believed that as long as we seek Him and the desires HE has for us in the center of His will, that He is waiting to bless us and those we serve in amazing ways?

Then our ditches would aways be deep and ready to receive what He is ready to give!

Each day I want to be ready, really ready to change the world. I don't know where all the ditches should be dug. I will have to depend on God to reveal that to me. And our ditches will be in different places, in different shapes, at different times, for different reasons. But one place I do know we should ALL be digging is in people, in our relationships with one another.
We should be preparing to have God pour out His mercy and grace in abundance, to anxiously be looking for glimpses of Him working in the lives of others BECAUSE we are digging into their lives ourselves... because we are about the business of helping one another open our hearts, minds, ears and eyes to receive the love, hope, joy, and blessings from Christ.
Think about how dry, parched, cracked, and thirsty the lands some people are treading through right now around you. They need to be filled so desperately with what only He can give them.
And sometimes we find ourselves in a dry land in a dry season. The digging becomes even harder then. All the focus is on the need and the pain. We have to really throw our backs into it then and dig harder.
But remember, the ditches we dig He will fill. And the deeper we dig them the bigger the blessing!
Then we can see His glory - we see Him revealed - and we realize it was never about us. It is always about others, about Him, about how we all can be filled so the excess pours out into the ditches of others in need.
Grab a spade, a shovel, a spoon, a bulldozer - whatever you need to begin with to get started, and see the ditches filled and overflowing with Him!

Walk-About!

2009-05-02T20:21:00.000-04:00

There are many types of way to walk with God... but literally walking along side of Him is always awesome!
Last Sunday afternoon some members of my church met on our new property to worship, and prayerwalk the property as we look to break ground in the next few days. It was hot. Humid. Kind of a stagnant feeling in the air - not to mention that we had to come through the neighboring cemetery since the property has no official entrance yet... all together not the most inspirational start some might say - one of those "some" being me at that time :)
We gathered at the parameter as folks were arriving. Chatting, joking, making fun of Alex. We had all been asked to bring shovels, trowels, hoes, etc as we would break the ground first together ourselves. Alex brought a sickle. Yes, a sickle. He stood there holding a huge sickle at the edge of a cemetery looking like a young tall sun glass wearing Grim Reaper - it was hilarious.
Our pastors daughter, Erin, brought a shovel head. Just the head - no handle attached. Also hilarious and worthy of a few jokes at her expense.
We then walked to the highest point of the property as a few members of our praise team lead some acoustic worship songs. Again - it was sunny, hot, and humid. Pastor Scott then began to speak, to share how we got to this point, shared some scripture. As he spoke I felt just a slight change in the air - just a quick wisp of wind. He shared something unexpected for the occasion (seemingly so at first anyway, more on that in another entry later), so my attention began to shift a little. You know, when something just a tad out of the norm happens, you pay a little more attention.
We spread out, broke ground, placed some of the dirt in vials we could take home to pray over on our own and met again on the slight hill.
I looked around as we all came together again. A few goose bumps on my arms rose up.
David and the guitars began again. This time it felt a little different.
God, are you here I asked quietly inside? Are you purposefully here with us?
David and the guys began another song, "How Great Is Our God".
I heard something and looked up. The wind appeared in the tops of the tallest trees closest to us, began to blow to the point of hearing it overhead, above the voices singing. God immediately brought to my heart and mind "My Father takes great delight in me and quiets me with His love and rejoices over me with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
Was He singing with me? With us?
As I opened my heart to Him more in that moment, to what He wanted to say to me, that verse and others began to flood over me... He sings over me, He dances over me, His angels are all around me! But not like in that worship song we sing at church sometimes - not this time, because I COULD hear the sound!
As I closed my eyes and raised my voice and my heart to Him the winds increased in the trees, the sound became louder and the winds dropped down lower where I could feel the air meet the perspiration on my skin, on my face and arms and neck.
So sweet was that moment - He's here!
The temperature around us dropped just slightly. Pastor Scott finished by asking us to break up as individuals, couples, groups, however we wished and we were going t saturate and cover the property and pray.
As I took my husband Todd's hand and walked to one side, I asked in my heart "God, will you walk with me a little while, let me hear you just a little longer?"
It was incredible... as we quietly walked praying silently the wind moved over to the side of the property we were on and began to move through the trees next to us! It literally followed us as we walked - blowing through the trees and underbrush and over our parched skin like a cool mist almost... twice we stopped next to the tree line looking out through the dogwoods and red buds on the far edge and it seemed to hover exactly where we were as if waiting in us! I can't speak to what Todd was sharing in that moment with our God - He was having his own in is own personal conversation - but my heart was absolutely bursting in that most precious exchange between me and my Lord!
He told me how much He loved me, desired to be with me, how He wished I knew just how precious I was, and I shared with Him my desire to be with Him more, my prayer not just that our church, but that I myself, would be a city on a hill for Him! The most amazing part about the whole thing? He rejoiced in that encounter with me!
The rest of our time and conversation together I will cherish in my heart - but friends, what a exquisite time I had with Him as we walked and talked.
That's really what He desires - just to simply be alone with us, to talk, share a personal, intimate, and special time that is ours alone.
You know, we spend our lives desperately craving and wanting others on this earth to share that type of relationship with - how is it that we forget so easily that we are created in His image? Why don't we once and for all get the fact that He made us that way because He designed us to have that relationship first with Him? The creator of the universe craves the chance just to tell you how much He loves you! So walk with Him, talk with Him, listen to what He wants to say - there will never be a sweeter voice tell you how much you are loved!

More on Esther and Freedom...

2009-04-27T08:48:00.000-04:00

Yes Dear Ones - my heart and soul overflows with what God has done this past weekend!

The book of Esther is a small book, but it is packed full of the goodness of God, the sovereignty… and Esther willingly gave of herself that God could use her to accomplish His will.
Mordecai sent a question to Esther: What is you have been placed here, now, just for such a time as this?”
He knew her answer just as God knows what ours can be - He created us!!!
Sometimes when faced with decisions and scenarios life throws at us our reaction is to look out for ourselves, play it safe, stay silent, just be what others say we are, and to because to take action to change our circumstance means to be outside of what we deem as comfortable, safe, even normal
Then Esther reply was… “If I must die, I am willing.” Esther 4:13-16
What I hope this weekend will be is the beginning of us all learn individually that God knows our character so well that He allows those things in our life to not hold us in bondage but because He knows we have what is takes to handle that thing in such a way that it glorifies Him! If we only trust Him and realize obedience is FREEDOM! What God wants for us right now, in this moment of our lives, to trust him for the truth about ourselves… to begin to hear His voice and what He has to say right now in this moment, and to trust Him to work it all out for our good – that is what the beginning of real Freedom is!
Thank goodness He knows absolutely everything, the outcomes, what’s best for us, - that’s why we can trust Him to have control.
Remember – Esther’s reply was among other things… : “ If I must die, I am willing to die.” Esther 4:13-16
That also means that we always have to decrease, die to our own desires, our own issues - wants, self induced needs….. and we become no less important to Him, even to the world, but we DO become less selfish, less hands on, less prideful, less all about us and more about Him and others so He will be glorified – MORE OBEDIENT TO FREEDOM!
What my prayer is for after Esther is that we all truly learn to hear how precious we are, how wonderfully and fearfully made we are, how worthy, how strong we are and then realize that He is bigger, He is more, He is perfection, He is sovereign, He is worthy of all we have and all we have is straight from Him, that we have been given the freedom to be all He is calling us to be… to realize that its by holding onto the chains with our own hands that we hold ourselves captive, and that NOW is the time to finally be free! LET GO AND RUN IN FREEDOM!!!

Called to Be Free

2009-04-26T21:55:00.000-04:00

There is soooooo much I want to share with you about my time at The Esther Experience! But to do would mean I may ruin it for you if you have never been before, and I want you to go to the next one, so I can't share all I would like...
I will tell you that God met me there in a ways I did not expect. And one way that maybe in the back of my mind I may have anticipated - anticipated because I already knew what I needed to do to address an area of my life that was not as it should be, and I knew in my heart He had been guiding me to so something about it... but as usual I had been in some sort of state of denial where I keep telling Him, "OK - if you really want me to do that then show me a sign". You know what I'm talking about, when you just keep asking for signs even though He has already all but put a giant alarm blaring neon lit up sign in your face that is 20 feet tall?! He had lovingly and gently been gently trying to lead me to the result He wanted. And me? Of course I kept adding one more need of confirmation after another until this weekend at The Esther Experience He just said "OK Girl - you asked for it" and He shouted it so loudly at me that I could not deny it any longer! But He so shouted it with love and an intense passion for me to be free from what was binding me!
The result? It meant I had an extremely difficult thing to reveal to my sweet husband, the man I call my best friend, but the man that I was keeping something from.
Here's a question - why do we always assume the ones that have loved us so unconditionally will react differently than they ever have when we come to them broken and needing them? I knew that my precious husband would love me through it all but I guess the desire to not disappoint him and left me feeling such trepidation at the thought of it all.
As always my God went before me and all I had to do was follow in obedience. As I went to bed that night safe and secure in my husbands love and acceptance I realized that even if he had reacted differently at first that I would have joy - joy in that I had been faithful to follow the leading of the Faithful One who has never failed me. No matter what happens, when we follow His leading we can always rest assured He has a bigger plan that we get to now be a part of! My relief was I think even more in the fact that I finally did what My Lord had asked me to do than even in my husbands holding me and telling me it was ok... such a wonderful blessing in them both though friends I must say.
That my dears is what it feels like to be free... we are called to be free, live free, love free, follow Him freely - true freedom is when we respond faithfully in obedience to God's leading because we finally trust He has our best interest at heart and we no longer have to question it... FREEDOM!!!! So let the chips fall where they may - the lover of our soul is calling!!!!!

Let's Have An Alabaster Easter!

2009-04-11T17:24:00.000-04:00

My pastor Scott Cagle for the last few weeks has been walking us up to the cross at Northstar Church. Last week he shared the story and his thoughts on Mary and her Alabaster Box. It fascinated me - for lots of reasons, and a few I had not considered before were brought to mind as I sat there listening and even in the days since.

The "incident" happened before Passover in Simons House. (By the way, Christ would have dined there even if He hadn't already healed Simon. He would have walked right in and blessed Simon and shared his table - just like my Lord...
There were several people there eating together, some of which were Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Simon, the Disciples of course, maybe even more.

My Pastor shared with us that each time this Mary is mentioned in the bible that she was at the feet of Jesus - what a wonderful place to be found!
· She sat at His feet and listened to the Word in Luke when Martha was aggravated with her because she was not helping cook and clean and do the busy work of the day.
She knew the worship of listening to His voice and Reading the Word was more important

· She dropped to the feet of Jesus after the death of Lazarus in John. Not so much in sorrow that her brother was dead but in worship of the one before whom she knelt because she understood the life giving power He held and was overwhelmed - they were tears of worship of the Christ, the Messiah, the Miracle Worker

· She also was at His feet as she broke her alabaster container of the most expensive anointing oil that could be purchased at that time - a years salary worth in fact... how long she must have saved for this.

And this particular perfumed oil was usually reserved for a wedding bride, or to show honor of a loved one in death.

I have never truly considered this was for both of those reasons!
* Mary broke open this precious gift and proclaimed herself bound to the groom before her for eternity, as His bride, all as the disciples chastised her for "wasting" what could have fed the poor - they didn't consider the fact that here Mary was pouring out her personal worship on the one who IS the Bread of Life!
* Mary also broke open this gift over the One who would soon give up His life for all of them, for all of us, when He would die on the cross... she poured her personal worship out as the first one to anoint His body BEFORE He even died.
That's why you don't find this close personal friend of Christ at the cross with the others when He was taken down - she had already honored Him!

WOW!
And here's another thought that hit me like a ton of bricks - when Mary dried His feet with her hair and she left that room, she left that home that night being the only one who shared such a personal experience with him - one like no other would! She even smelled like Jesus! Oh my goodness, to have such a unique soul and heart meshing experience with the Son of God!

She found all she ever needed at His feet - blessings, burdens cast off, and beauty of a binding relationship with her King... all because she worshipped Him sacrificially and freely each time she encountered Him!

Mary wasn't rich. That anointing oil and perfumed spice was worth a years salary. It was a commodity that was expensive. Alabaster itself was the most expensive container you could buy. Once the box was opened, the oils had to be used immediately because they would begin to break down right away - lose their scent, their properties that made them extravagant. The stone container could only be used by destroying it.
Sound familiar? Like a broken body hanging on the cross spilling out the precious contents from inside?
It was all or nothing.

The gift - the one thing she had of value was all that would do. Like God's gift this Easter season over 2,000 years ago. It was all or nothing, only the most precious part of Himself would do to save His most precious creation.

Extravagantly lived out, freely flowing, sacrificial worship - we owe Him nothing less this Easter and every day after...
I want to break open my alabastor box of worship for Him! I want to have a heart and soul meshing experience every time I encounter Him!

Happy Easter

2009-01-28T20:30:00.000-05:00

Ok - I'm reading the Chick Chat Book of the Month "Boundaries"... its rockin' my world people... a kick in the pants to not only set mine more firmly with a particular relationship in my life but helping that person learn theirs in the process of setting mine in a blessing for them whether they know it at first or if ever.
My responsibility isn't for them but to them... and to myself. I need to love myself as much as I love them, and love them enough to not enable their behavior any longer. Wow God - you are just lovin' me right on through this aren't you? Thank you for revealing what I needed to know in my heart through this book and through your Word! It will be hard, but you are beautiful and my eyes will be on you.

Where Patience and Contentment Meet

2009-01-08T07:53:00.000-05:00

Patience – a hard trait to acquire, I just don’t ever pray for it – learned that lesson back in the day!
But I’m gaining ground on it little by little because it’s obviously something God knows I need more of but is gently teaching me in small increments fortunately… I think that’s why when my pastor mentioned a certain scripture in church a few weeks back it caught me so off guard – you know, you read something a million times then boom – all o the sudden it’s like you just learned to read a foreign language!
It was this: Luke 3:23 “Jesus was about 30 years old when he began his ministry”
This was a picture of utter patience - even beyond Abraham waiting to have sons, beyond Job enduring the things he did, beyond me trying to lose weight and get healthier, beyond a young woman I know who tried for years to have a child, beyond a man I know who is waiting for his wife to decide she will come home and be a mom to their kids again and seek help to mend their marriage, beyond the woman whose waited so long to be able to find a job she has a passion for…
Here is Christ – who gave up everything – do you understand it was EVERYTHING? We’ve heard that before right? As we begin this 2009 and are maybe waiting for something to happen that we want so badly and are just so anxious for in our lives and that we want so much, think about this.
Here was God, get that, God in flesh, here on this earth that WE made a mess of, came in a world where He literally had t experience pain, hunger, being cold, dirty, lonely, scared, and then think about this...
Now this is where patience and contentment began to come together for me like ever before. I began to really, REALLY see, you CAN’T have one without the other.
How early did Jesus begin realizing he was special, different, how soon did he have the comprehensible relationship with the Father that He knew what was to become for us, when he was 12 years old in the temple teaching the sacred scriptures, when he was working in that carpenters shop learning his earthly fathers trade, think for just a minute if that is you and you know – you know your purpose, your ministry, your destiny! When you know that you and the Father are one and that you are going to change the face of humanity forever even if you don’t yet understand how, or maybe you do! You know what God has sent you for! That there are those in need around you that need to hear what you have to say, that there are people dying every day that need what you have to offer. But you are silent. You are patiently waiting on your heavenly Fathers leading.
As I began to think about this at church that Sunday I missed the rest of the service lost in my own thoughts but that’s totally cool because God was speaking to me you know?! As I thought about all this I was amazed at His patience! But then the word contentment began creeping into my thought too. The Messiah was content in that.

The Bible tells us he worked as a carpenter and in his life growing up that he was loved by everyone who knew him. See, He was content… He didn’t walk around anxious, irritated things weren’t happening quicker, in a bad mood, wishing he could hurry and get started, day dreaming about things he didn’t have or questioning constantly why he couldn’t begin now, second guessing what God was doing because he knew he was born to do something great…
I think when Luke 2:52 says “And Jesus grew in wisdom and standing, and was loved by God and man”, that it’s a picture of contentment and that he trusted God so he found his opportunities to serve wherever he was – working in that carpenters shop, in his daily chores at home, at the temple, being a good son, and friend to those around him, letting his actions and his life draw a circle of love around the community he lived in. Surely if He could await Gods timing and gifts knowing it meant the world, the WHOLE WORLD, then we can too.
So as we begin 2009 with the goals and desires we have, lets first make sure it’s in line with what God wants for us, that we are leaning on His wisdom and timing for it all. But also that we don’t sit in a stagnant state waiting until He moves us somewhere else. Serve how you can where you can – that’s what Christ did. Sometimes it’s as if we are waiting for the door that we want to walk through to suddenly sprout legs and come to us – if we’re out there engaged in our world then the doors we come across may swing wide open as we touch them! He never has us somewhere we CAN”T be effective or make a difference or that He hasn’t given us the talents and gifts to be used in that place.
Don’t compare yourself to others – look at the ultimate example of patience and contentment. Christ waited 30 years to begin. But yet He didn’t either – in the sense that he took opportunities where he found them to begin preparing for the coming purpose. And He gained in his relationship with God with each one
Be grateful what He has given you for this time, and this place even if you’re in a struggle – He gives you strength anew each day and simply pray for God’s eyes to how you can give and live outside of yourself… sometimes that inner voice needs your mind to be in a different place than where you usually dwell so you will hear what it clearly says.
Make time to be quiet with Him too – know Him, learn His desires for you. Be content that your are on a constant journey – and the journey itself is where you gain most of what you need for when the door finally opens – it’s all a part of the bigger plan. Be patient with knowing He is at work in you making you into what He designed you to be.

Christmas as an Angel

2008-12-17T21:58:00.000-05:00

As the most beautiful of heavenly creations, the angels played a part in the WHOLE nativity story (foretelling Zechariah and Elizabeth to be the parents of John the Baptist, a few months later appearing to Mary with the news that she too was going to have a son, appearing to Joseph as well telling him of Mary’s pregnancy and reassuring him that it was all part of God’s plan, and then appearing to the shepherds, of course, announcing the Savior’s birth
But have you thought about the fact that they were actually there at the birth of Christ – the point where heaven and earth actually met and collided!
These angels were created by Christ, they were with Him in His heavenly realm and glory, saw what he was giving up… imagine knowing this God who gave you life, created you to be the bearers of His news throughout creation… now He was giving it all up to go down THERE…

As his cherubim and seraphim must they have thought that this was absolute madness! Would they have wondered at the sense of the plan? Ever since they had been brought into existence they had watched Him create - the earth, the universe, witnessed Him spinning the cosmos, creating us with such care and love, now they were to witness Him setting aside His glory, His heavenly home, His heavenly robe to put on a flesh robe, a very costly robe, a plan that would end in His pain and death…

When God decreed that He was putting on this flesh and coming – coming as baby no less – needing diapers changed, needing food, being cold, hungry, alone in their eyes because they as His heavenly host, His army if you will, would not be staying with Him as they had before...
And the fact that He would arrive in a dirty stall or cave where animals lay and ate… that gold and frankincense and myrrh could not compare to all the riches
He would be leaving - what must they have thought of this sacrifice?
It would be easy just to say that they would just think it was crazy – and that may be true – but I think that when they were told of the plan, the cost, the sacrifice,
They then must have realized just how precious we were to Him and how immense the sacrifice would be and that they were more than proud, more than humbled, more than blown away by the fact that they would play such a integral part of that night.
Of all the figures and being hovering and kneeling around the stable at the first Christmas, only the angels knew just how much that Christmas really cost. Not in dollars and cents, of course, but in sacrifice and love. It cost Him everything.

They must have watched the event unfolding with wonder and love for their King… that He would leave their undying worship and love of Him to be with us. I think they thought how much more blessed we were to be receiving such a love, and how their hearts were breaking at the thought of the journey and where it would take Him.

I think those heavenly beings may have even bordered on jealousy for a moment – in my finite mind I can hardly comprehend that could not have been envious as they looked at the love Mary had for Jesus, the awestruck wonder of the shepherds, heard the earth whisper and rumbled on a deep level that only their ears and hearts could hear – that the most important event in history was beginning right then and there before their eyes – and it was all for us… not them, but for us… and they realized we would have the choice to love Him and know Him in a way they never could.

Maybe this Christmas when we look at the birth of Christ through the eyes of the angels eyes we can begin to truly see the sacrifice made only for us, and worship Him in a way only we can.

Kris and Marisa Elfed

2008-12-14T15:34:00.001-05:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Just sharing someone elses words...

2008-12-06T22:32:00.001-05:00

I just watched the video for Steven Curtis Chapman's song Miracle of Christmas on the Billy Graham Christmas Special the other night...

"So come to Bethlehem again and see
The One who's come to rescue us, our Saviour and King
Bring your past, the joy, the sorrow, all your hope to find tomorrow

And the God who spoke is speaking still
And the God who came still comes
And the miracle that happened still happens in the heart that will believe
And we see and receive the miracle of Christmas"

Sometimes looking again at that tiny baby in the manger again, after all this years, can become the equivalent of a seasonal afterthought, in fact we can let it all fade into the background of this Christmas season and find ourselves giving it what can become (if we're not careful) obligatory attention at the Christmas Eve Service at church as we take communion before we rush home, only to forget it all as we began wrapping and cooking and doing all the last minute things to make the family happy...
Might we just take the time, a few moments more than once this month to really think about what that tiny shivering little bundle brought to us all... changing the entire face and destiny of humanity... we literally place all our stuff, our issues, our futures, our pasts, our frailty and our hope not just at the foot of the cross, but on the shoulders of that tiny baby.
Our God, the Great I AM, the One in whose image we were made became the unthinkable -He came down to our level, the level of those who needed the saving... and oh my gracious... that same God still comes to us all over again each Christmas and takes all we have, all over again... shouldn't we be completely and utterly amazed all over again this Christmas?

Anticipating Christmas

2008-12-04T08:08:00.000-05:00

Advent: A period of spiritual preparation before Christmas when many Christians make themselves ready for the coming, or birth, of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
This past Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. Typically the advent wreath is one of the more common symbols used to celebrate this season:
1st Sunday – we light the candle of Hope – the hope we have in Christ – hope for more than this world gives us
2nd Sunday – we light the candle of Peace – The peace we find in Christ – when we are at war with life we can find peace in Him
3rd Sunday – we light the candle of Love – the ultimate love we have in the gift of Christ and what He came to earth to provide
4th Sunday – we light the candle of Joy – the Joy we have in Christ – that no matter what we can be joyful in belonging t\to Him
On Christmas we light the 5th candle – the candle representing Christ Himself – that He is the light of the world, that with Him we never have walk in the darkness of fear
I’ve been thinking about Mary as we get into this advent time of year, about the month she spent before Christ was born – thinking about what thoughts and question came to Mary’s mind as she awaited the birth of her son… knowing He was of God, how the emotions must have intensified and the excitement must have been building the last few weeks… what would her child look like? He was God’s – but He was hers too - so would Jesus resemble her at all? Would people know by looking at him something was different? Would he understand things as an infant that most other infants wouldn’t? Would her life be different beyond what every other new mothers was? If so how? Would she be able to be all she needed to be for him? Would Jesus know He was special from the beginning? After all, He was to be a king the angel said - a king whose reign would have no end… Imagine the quite moments she must have spent going over all this in her mind and in her heart… wrestling with the meanings… wondering about the miracle that was coming… how much one on one time she must have spent talking with God…
How much time are we spending in the weeks leading up to Christmas truly celebrating how incredible the birth of Christ really was, really is? Are we being still and quite enough to really let the power of what it all means in? Are we trying to wrap our minds around it all or are our minds too full of wrapping presents and getting our shopping lists done, to think about it at any length? Are we talking it over with God? What do you think God wants to say to you during this time? I can’t imagine that there isn’t something that He wants to share with each of us. This is the birth of His Son we’re talking about!
We have to put ourselves in Mary’s place I think – whether you have ever had a child or not – you can read the Gospels, and as a woman you just can’t help imagine being in that position – awaiting something so special, even the unknown of it would have been not just scary but exciting I imagine!
We have the opportunity during these weeks for our souls to truly anticipate the hope, the peace, the love, and the joy of Christ – to somehow let that Light of the World shine inside us. Let’s take the time to let the true weight of the amazing gift we were given that night over 2000 years ago – take the time to let it settle into our hearts and our souls… let the wave of love truly wash over you as Christmas Day approaches… then get ready to open once again – or maybe even for the first time - the most amazing Christmas gift the world has ever known!

Get rid of them...

2008-11-22T17:04:00.000-05:00

We did a segment on the morning show the other day where we asked what words or phrases you are over, that get overused in conversation, that you want to be done, get rid of, do away with...
We had a few that were expected like cool beans, whatever, my bad, I heard that, etc.
My friend Ann's response of a word and a phrase really got me thinking though... the phrase was "politically correct" and the word was "tolerant". How she was tired of them being used... I too hate them being used from both sides of the preverbial line in the sand. I agreed whole heartedly!
They both have a million different meanings depending on the agenda of the one speaking them (including me, inclcuding you)... so they're both relative. So yes, we ALL have an agenda when we use them that skews the definition at the time to what we want it to mean.

This got me to thinking about other words those of us who call ourselves Christians use on what we have deemed as our side of that line. Dare I say words that we wield, in His name, when we feel appropriate (which just comes out sounding most of the time as overly righteous - no matter what our intention). And also words we say we cannot use, but we really just don't understand the words and are afraid of them.
Words like morals, values, conservative, liberal, power, acceptance, and of course tolerance.

I think we have to find a way to not use any of these words in the same way we have, and learm to use those we are afraid to with a foundation understood long before we can begin to discuss grace, forgiveness, mercy and love in the truest sense.

I guess I really don't think our vocabulary has to be completely void of those words that have a history of offending... otherwise I would be guilty of trying to be "politically correct" myself then wouldn't I :o)
I'm just saying we shouldn't resort to using them out of habit, without regard to who we are engaged in conversation with and where they are coming from, and that we shouldn't just use them to throw an opinion out there in the same old way that actually causes more division because we feel justified in using them defined by what WE feel is the true meaning of the words.

And by the way, is the person we are using these words in conversation with someone we have actually formed a relationship with first? Have we earned the right to speak freely even? Do they know we love them no matter what we agree or disagree on? More importantly do they honestly feel we really do like them? If we can't find one thing to like and respect about someone no matter who they are then we cannot honestly expect them to believe anything we say. I heard Donald Miller say earlier this year that "people know when we don't like them". He's intirely dead on. Those you have found yourself in debates with... have you bothered telling them yet that God loves them? That He is not angry with them? That He loves them and why? Did you tell them this first? (more on all of that another day)

Let's just consider saying things differently, thinking about what we want to say long enough to actually not default to those crutches in our conversations, so that they are not the "easy way out" that is not easy to understand or agree on. They mean something different to everyone anyway.

How something is wrong means something different to each person. Why something is wrong means something different to different people.

Who are we to have the corner market on how we approach others about their "condition" anyway. No, we don't have to water anything down to be truthful. But what we can do is form a relationship first though so that those words never have to be used again in the same way though.

Maybe if we approach people differently than we have before, truly seeing them, with a real desire to connect on every level (including on their level), we may just be able to introduce them to the Jesus who loves them more than they realize, instead of driving a wedge deeper and further between them and Him all in the name of Christianity... heck, He just may use us inspite of ourselves :o)

Do You Smell Like Jesus?

2008-11-15T18:44:00.000-05:00

“ Do you smell like Jesus?”
by Marisa Lykins

I’m sure a lot of us have been in stores like Bed Bath and Beyond, Bath and Body Works, or a Yankee Candle store… we’re at least all very familiar with the scented candles that those stores and many more sell. Even schools and clubs sell them for fundraisers – everyone, at least all women love scented candles unless your allergies are sent completely into orbit by them…
They have candles with scents and smells for any mood… whether it’s the one you’re in at the moment or the mood you want to be in within the hour, for all situations, and even for different seasons if you will.
It’s all based on aromatherapy concepts:
Some medical research says that “Aromatherapy may produce both psychological and physiological effects. Aromatherapy benefits includes stress and headache relief, sleep improvement, mood boosting, hormones’ regulation, muscles’ relaxation, immune system’s stimulation, blood circulation, skin improvement and even disease healing”.
I say even if it’s all in our head it does make us feel better to get a hint of something that produces nice images or memories in our minds.
Lavender – relaxing
Citrus/peppermint – for energy, to be invigorated
Melon/Cucumber – refreshing
Vanilla/berry – soothing, calming
Vanilla with cinnamon, or oatmeal and honey, may take you back to the cookies your mom or grandma used to make
Cinnamon may take you directly back to Christmas years ago and your home
Scent has the power to change us – enhance or change our mood, our point of perspective, our outlook… scents can leave such a lasting impression that just like the vanilla and cinnamon combination, or the oatmeal and honey, it doesn’t matter if it’s been 25 years you never forget what the scent of those homemade cookies in the oven smelled like and your are instantly transported back to moms kitchen on a Friday night as a 8 year old licking the spoon and trying to eat them before they had even cooled!
The smell of your favorite candles are slight and faint as they are on the store shelves, but what really activates them to truly release their scent is when a flame is applied to the wick. Sometimes you think it smells a certain way when you pick it up in the store but then when the flame is applied they sometimes release that scent on a totally different level.
Did you ever think about the fact that as we travel our daily road in life we leave a faint impression behind as well? We leave faint traces of a scent behind depending on our moods and what we are dealing with, how we treat others and behave around them because our actions always affect more than just ourselves.… but it’s when the heat and flame come, the hard times, the next crisis, the aggravating situation, the unexpected, when the flame is allowed to actually touch our wicks and we feel the heat, how we react then – to that flame - will determine what scent we are really leaving behind and what that says to others.
Galatians 5:22-23 says “The fruits of the spirit are love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control…” what truly heavenly aroma’s

So, does the vanilla scent of kindness and gentleness linger when you have had a disagreement with another because you remained calm and handles it with care? If we became angry, and condescending, how would that smell?
Does the renewing scent of melon and cucumber tickle the senses of that family we just shared our groceries with even while times are hard for us too because we got outside of ourselves for a moment – that would surely leave them with that scent that gave them a renewed faith in human kindness… or would we leave the stench of a lack of compassion trail behind when we didn’t even ask how they were doing even though we knew they were struggling so hard last month, because after all things are tight for us too aren’t they?
What do you think the scent of selfishness smells like? Really, try to conjure up the image of what scent lingers when we turn a blind eye and ear to the person next to us who just needs a little compassion and someone to talk too… but hey, we really needed to get out of work on time that day because the dry cleaning needed to be picked up, and we wanted to get to the video store before it closed, so we put it out of our mind that that coworkers spouse just walked out on her and her two kids the week before… we can always ask how she’s doing tomorrow… right?
When someone encounters us as disconnected and uncaring what does that smell like?
Now here’s a question for you… Do you think Jesus has a scent?
What would he smell like to you? What soothing smell does He leave when He comforts your loneliness, what scent is in the air when He gives you a precious day with your family that was unexpected, or blesses you with just the right song on Love89 just when you needed it?
I think He has many – because He fulfills all needs, right? He’s wants to be our everything, is our everything, so His sweet aroma changes as our needs change!
If we were created to glorify Him, then we should always be leaving faint traces of His smell as we travel our daily road.
As we seek to know ourselves based on His reflection we develop His scent I think. When God created woman He created us not only differently from man, but specifically on purpose different from man. We are I believe created to reflect the emotional relation side of Him on a level that man could not… so we are naturally I think able to be more in tune to His heart of compassion, we understand relationships on a different level… so if we as women find our true identity and freedom He provides from the very beginning of time, if we really tap into that we can walk that daily journey more ready to leave strong lingering scents behind us with all those we meet. We just have let the world for far too long tell us how busy and able to do it all we as women need to be that we lose touch with the ability… it seems hit and miss of not completely hidden at times.

When we understand what He has truly given us in life – in eternal life, in His intention for how we are to live - to be – then we glorify Him. To Glorify God means simply this – to reveal Him.
And if He is our everything, then when the heat is applied to the wick of our lives - when that unexpected death of a loved one comes, when we lose that job of 10 years without warning, when we have that miscarriage, when we are betrayed by a spouse, when the deadlines at work loom and we feel stressed, whatever heat gets applied to our wick and becomes a flame, how we handle that determines how we Glorify Him… if they smell the Jesus they need or an unpleasant odor that is all us – when we take our eyes off ourselves and see the world through His eyes and react accordingly we glorify Him and the scent becomes so strong those around us can’t ignore it and the images they will conjure up for the rest of their lives because of what they experienced in our presence becomes a sweet aroma of being in His presence…

At this holiday time of the year when we should naturally think of what we are thankful for and what has been given to us in the birth of our Savior we still can sometimes let the chaos, the hectic pace, and the anxiety brought on by all those families and friends get to us, then our focus can still get off track of why we should truly just enjoy Christmas for what it is. Now more than ever it’s even more important to leave the right impression and scent behind.
I wanna smell like Jesus!

Hand Prints of Love

2008-11-05T20:32:00.000-05:00

So today on the show we decided to spin the disappointment some were feeling after the election (since there is always a winner and a not-so-much of a winner... I hate the word loser when not in jest) into something positive, so we asked for folks to call in with their stories of when disappointments in their lives turned into something that God used to change their paths for the better.
We heard about a young 17 year old who was raped and found herself pregnant but after deciding to keep the baby found love, is a fantastic mom, and has since found a wonderful Godly man with 2 children to become a family with.
We learned about illness and death that resulted in salvation for others.
One woman shared how after losing a job unexpectedly after 23 years that she began college and now has a masters degree 30 years after finishing high school and has the career she has always dreamed of.
One story shared was that of a 15 year old that after years of her mother being abused, was abused herself, ended up being removed from her home, living with friends, and was finally being taken in by a loving family - she is now a young lady with relationship with Christ, in church, and wanting to help others.
Oh my goodness, and how a life of alcohol and drug abuse following 11 miscarriages now has been molded into a ministry as a youth pastor.
I am continually floored by my God and the ones He creates... how He restores brokenness... how He not only does that, but how He allows us all to look back through that pain and see glory, see His plan in motion, and see His handprints all over our lives.
But that's not even all... through it all we leave our handprints too you know. On those we touch through those experiences. During and after. Are our handprints the shape of our hand or His?
I pray that I'm more like the strong women we heard from today - that I leave handprints through life on the lives of others in the shape of His nail scarred hands and not my self indulgant one... His gentle hands leave the shape of unconditional love, of joy, of faithful obedience. They hold His love and offer it to all He touches... I want to touch the world like that.

So its been awhile...

2008-09-27T16:07:00.001-04:00

I haven't written in some time - sorry. But I think I have just been contemplating all going on around me...

Earlier I went to California with Compassion International, saw some of God's creation I never have before, and heard Donald Miller speak for three days... both gave me a lot to consider.
Then I was sick. That gave me time alone to reflect on all I had just returned from, learned, been challenged by, and I also finished reading The Shack... WOW! Again, a lot to consider.
I'm also reading Un-Christian... even more to be challenged by and consider.
He is working on me again. I'm in a time of growth already again... Exhilarating!
Then Sharathon was upon us at Love89.1FM. The first time in years we haven't made the goal by the end of the third day. It's a tough time right now economically speaking and we were not taken by surprise. Neither was God. The stories that have come out of sharathon are mind blowing. The listeners that responded were mind blowing. We are blessed to say the least.
The calls/emails I took personally... of women in abusive relationships turning to us for comfort and advice. Of single parents struggling emotionally and financially and just needing to let us know they are sacrificially supporting us again this year because we are their lifeline to encouragement and hope. The families that have been restored because of His conviction through songs, programming and messages heard daily that broke through the fog of doubt and confusion. We can never underestimate our Jesus (song there somewhere) and how the Holy Spirit uses what God ordains to draw those who need Him closer to Him. Even those who have accepted Him into their lives for the first time!
I will never get used to the idea that I get to walk into the studio each Monday thru Friday morning and greet those who tune in simply looking for a certain song, a certain word, a laugh, a smile, or someone to cry or pray with them... I get to witness God literally creating relationships, change lives, bring hearts together, and at the same time - I get to be changed by it myself.... My God is truly beautiful, crazy beautiful and totally amazing... there are no words...

Central High

2008-08-22T22:41:00.000-04:00

Wow. No words really at first. What can we say? How do we process it? A shooting at Central High in Fountain City. FOUNTAIN CITY! Good night.
I guess once I realized we were all asking the same questions I began to try and process it myself.
I know my God is on the throne. I know my God has a greater plan. I know all the church answers. Cam I still question then?
Yes. My God is that big. He knows I will question. He's ok with that. He created me with a free will and a mind of my own. It's what makes life interesting. It's what makes me interesting to Him I think.
I have decided that a 15 year old kid is no different than I am.
They question life too of course.
And they hurt of course.
And that means Satan whispers lies to them just the same.
Lies about who they are - what they are - what they can and can't be - what they can and can't do - lies about whether they are good enough - loved enough - all the same things we wrestle with as adults we wrestled with when we were 15 years old too right?
What makes us think its any different for a 15 year old now, when the world around us is so confusing, challenging, hard?
Some have to fight extremely hard every day to drown out the voice of the father of lies. Some days that voice loses. Some days the lie wins.
The voice of truth needs to be spoken into lives by each of us. When the voices that lie get loud our voices should carry His truth and break through the noise.
We need to be speaking truth into others lives around us every day.
Encouraging, building up, loving, understanding the best way we know how.
Speaking His name - His truth - sharing His love.
I pray we do that.
I pray I do that.
Please God - help me do that.

2008-08-17T09:36:00.000-04:00

Blog Network:

Name:
blog-o-mania

Topics:
marisa lykins, love89

Join my network

Blog Networks

The Olympics - and Me?

2008-08-12T18:41:00.000-04:00

Ok - I am totally into the Olympics... I didn't know if it would actually happen. I mean, I was excited at the thoughts of them. Very excited. But once it was time for them to begin I didn't know if I would really be into it. BUT I AM!!!!!!
Here's what I have realized I love about them.
Of course I want the Americans to do well. And the stories of inspiration are there too! But the thing is they are there with all the countries athletes - including China. And not just the athletes... just people in general.
Like the young six year old boy from China who marched into the opening ceremonies with Chinese legendary basketball player Yao Ming. Because the little boy was a hall monitor at school, he crawled back into the rubble when they had the earthquake and pulled two other kids to safety after freeing himself.
His little head still bore the bare patch where the hair hasn't grown back yet from his injuries.
And the talent is mind boggling. Thats where I am blown away again... the gifts and talents all these people possess and to be so passionate about sharing them!
Imagine what would happen if they all knew the Savior... what a completely unimaginable impact they could make through this years Summer Games! If they had that intimate heart knowledge and could inspire others on THAT level... WOW.
Now, if those of us who know that Savior just realized how talented we all are and shared with others the gifts we have been given? To have the confidence to discover those gifts? Whether it was as an athlete, singer, cook, builder, artist, wordsmith, an encourager, whatever that one thing is. What if we who know what that thing is, and know Him, started doing it completely for His joy and glory?
WOW!!!

Atlanta and Steven Curtis Chapman equals God speaking!

2008-08-03T11:59:00.000-04:00

We (Love89) took a road trip with staff and listeners yesterday to Atlanta for a Braves game and a concert with Steven Curtis Chapman... which would have been great all in itself. But God decided to bless me, us, with a show of His power that had I not anticipated.
The game was a hot and humid one for sure, and I should have realized that might mean a late afternoon early evening pop up shower. But I was genuinely surprised when I saw the dark clouds over the Northwest rim of the stadium appearing. And then not until I saw the lightening and felt the cool blast of air did it dawn on me that He was there. It's funny how you go through your day to day activities and think that He shows up. Hmmm. Totally forgetting that He is always there - everywhere - in everything.
The wind picked up and trash left over in the stands from all the hotdogs, nachos, and cokes began blowing around. My heart quickened - listening. Was this important?They announced that we would retreat under the canopies until it blew over.
And when a huge blast of lightening appeared to be a close as the parking lot, retreat we did!
As we stood chatting together with a young couple of our listeners celebrating their one year anniversary of dating I began to think, feel Him. I suppose I may have seemed at some point disengaged from the conversation for a moment but I begin thinking... He's here, He's here... and we're here... and He's up to something.
As the rain poured down we waited. The lightening flashed, the thunder clapped. He was speaking. "See Me, He was saying, See Me - then worship Me".
When it slowed to almost a complete stop we begin filling the seats again. Then they said it was too wet for anything but an acoustic show with Steven - no band.
Ahhhh, there it is. God desired it to be more intimate, quieter. The sky turned into a beautiful orange and gray mix that was breathtaking. Then it truly sank in, the power He had just displayed with that summer storm was the real beginning of the worship last night! He spoke then, in that way in the storm, because we first needed to see Him, hear Him, feel Him before we begin to worship.
He displayed Himself so that when that unplanned (by man anyway) intimate time with Steven happened it was a truer intimate time with my Father. So that when His whispers in my heart and mind began, they were part of a conversation we were already having even if I didn't realize it!
I had wondered earlier in the day why the trip itself was quieter than I had anticipated. The staff was more low key than usual. The winners and their guests were quieter that I had anticipated.
My mood was not bad in anyway yesterday at all - but I had questioned myself as to why I felt like I was waiting for something, and why was I so quiet but with no feeling like I needed to be otherwise?
I sit here on the Sunday morning after. I did not go to church today. When I woke up this morning I thought to myself, that as crazy as it sounded to me, that I needed to stay home... why? We are called to gather together in corporate fellowship, to be fed, and to simply worship. But also I know that as Steven sang last night - God is God - and when He speaks I am to listen. I don't always you know. Not nearly always.
But I am grateful that I did today. He wanted me alone with Him. I loved my time with Him last night.
In the storm, in listening to Steven Curtis Chapman, and even when He spoke to me afterwards on the bus ride home through the dvd we watched - The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe... I still see and hear things in that movie that are new every time I watch it! Isn't if awesome how it was Lucy and Susan (the women) that were the last with Aslan when he had died? The first to see Him when he returned? Just like the precious account of our Savior - incredible!
I have loved my time with my Father this morning.
He has blessed me, talked with me through His Word and more.
"Yes, as the rain and snow come down from the heavens and do not return without watering the earth, making it yield and giving growth to provide seed for the sower and bread for the eating, so the word that goes from my mouth does not return to me empty, without carrying out my will and succeeding in what it was sent to do"(Is 55:10-11).
His rain did not return void in me, His Word did not, now I have shared what He has given me and it will not return void because it is from His mouth to my heart. I hope your heart is blessed today.
He's already here, just see Him.

p.s.
When I had wrapped up my time with God this morning I went to search for something on the Internet. My initial browser search listed this item first. Please take a look at what God did after a storm 4 years ago and led me to today through this link

What a Week... Whew!

2008-08-01T14:01:00.000-04:00

It's already August 1st, my son just turned 22 yesterday, and my daughter turns 21 in 2 days...
Life is moving way fast!
But God is good - so sweet - and so attentive.
My friend Lisa is pregnant and I got to see her today for the first time in a week. She is having a miracle baby. God has created life where doctors said there could be none!
I have a friend Carla whose Dad is dying. Carla's heart is breaking some days. I'm sure there will be times when she doesn't feel her heart is fully alive or ever will be again. But God brings life where there seems to be none.
If we wander through this life without Christ we are not truly alive - but when we know Him, I mean truly know Him, He brings Life, and makes all things new.
What a sweet God and creator of life we have, what a gentle comforter His Holy Spirit is, and what a giver of new life and mercies eternal our Savior Jesus brings... what a miracle we all are!

Busy Saturday...

2008-07-26T21:19:00.000-04:00

Today I woke up to rain. That really makes we want to stay in bed, you? The distant thunder, rain on the roof and pattering against the window, Mr Pickles my mini-daschund curled up against the back of my knees... hmm-m-m-m-m-m... but wait, coffee would be great too... ok coffee, yeah.
So I got up being very quite so I wouldn't wake Todd my hubby, let Pickles out for his morning "you know", and while the coffee was brewing and the house was still so quite I stood at the window and thought about all I had to do today, West Knoxville, Sevierville, stops to make, things to do, alot to do...
But wait, look, the rain, it's still falling. Wow, it's really so soothing. So beautiful. Look at the drops sliding down the window. It flows so steadily... like His love. I thought about Him - my lovong Father - all of the sudden... about how steadily He loves us. Yes, times get tough and things so wrong, money isn't stretching as far right now, my heart gets heavy sometimes, even breaks. Things happen to those around me I wish I could make better. People that are so good have things happen that seem so confusing. But see, then the rain keeps falling this morning, the quiet sinks in, and my heart quickens as I hear my God whisper "See, I'm renewing the day. Life. I'm providing water that will flow and bring more life, and more beauty, for you to enjoy. I am also weeping, weeping over those in my world that are hurting. I am sustaining life with my tears, I am listening in this quite morning for your voice too my child - waiting for you to tell me the things you desire, the things you are afraid of, the things that you need Me to hold and carry for you today, to hear about the things you realized I did just for you yesterday - that sunset, those flowers, that friend who blessed you that I placed in your life for such a time as this. I want to hear you say how glad you are for your family, for your very life... and I love you, more than anything"...
Good morning God. Thank you for your new mercies and grace. I do love my family. I do see you moving around me becuase I'm watching for you. Show me your hand. Thank you for all I have, for being a God who wants to spend time with me, and for loving me today. And God, thank you for talking with me this morning. I love you too.

My Anniversary!

2008-07-23T19:00:00.000-04:00

Last Thursday was my 15th Wedding Anniversary and my sweet husband went all out!
I guess it seems Todd still has some surprises left in him :o)
First he hand delivered a vase of my favorite flowers - Daisey's - around lunch time.
That would have been plenty!
Little did I know that he had been planning this for quite some time and had also devised a scheme so I would not suspect a thing.
Now, this is highly unusual since he is normally the kind of person who gives you your birthday present a week early because he can't stand the excitement... I once got a Christmas gift right after Thanksgiving :o)
Anyway - I thought I was going to a business meeting/lunch with Lisa because she emailed me a week before about it.
Little did I know that was a cleverly planned ruse so he could surprise me when I "walked him to his car" with a long white stretch limousine... OMG!!!
I honestly thought it was for someone at the business across the street and was still trying to get to the station van so Lisa and I could make our "luncheon"... it was truly hilarious!
He finally broke through and convinced me the limo was for me. He then whisked me away to a reserved booth at Naples where we dined on delicious food and great conversation - and held hands like we were 16!
We wrote our anniversary note and dropped it inside one of the empty wine bottles that line the inside of the booth that couples sign, date and fill with love letters(the whole message in a bottle idea which I think is very romantic).
Afterwards we drove back to the station, and as he walked me back to my office he informed me that we both had the rest of the day off (which he had also arranged ahead of time)and took me anywhere and everywhere I wanted to go... we hit the Farmers Market, went shoe shopping (we both needed a pair), and he even took me out to dinner so I didn't have to cook at all - OMG!!!
I learned that I do indeed have a wonderful husband. Not because of what he spent or bought, but because he actually thought about me - planned things specifically with me in mind - took the time to wonder, ponder, what would she like? What would she enjoy? What would make my wife feel special?
Know what the best thing about all that is? That I was literally in his thought! To pull this off he was THINKING ABOUT ME!
My mind pictures him sitting at his desk at work, pencil in hand, jotting down notes, scanning the Internet for options, asking friends their opinions - THAT is the BEST!!!!!
Isn't that something we all desire? To be in the thoughts of the person who loves us?
now THAT is romance ;o)

Ok - I Cried...

2008-07-09T19:33:00.000-04:00

I saw a prescreening for the new movie coming out in September called "Fireproof" last night... Sherwood Baptist Church is releasing their third movie - makers of Flywheel and Facing the Giants... If you are married, have been married, are ever entertaining the idea of ever being married SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!!
Kirk Cameron is a firefighter (Caleb) married to Katherine. He's got things he is struggling with - big things. He's a hero to everyone but her. She's forgotten what it means to validate him as a man. Their marriage needs a hero. Their marriage is in shambles. They want to give up. They argue, fight, dislike even being together anymore - they have let the stuff of life beat them and their relationship down. All seems lost. Until God steps in through Caleb's dad and a little book called "The Love Dare"...
I won't ruin it for you, check out www.fireproofthemovie.com for yourself (and Fireproof Your Marriage too) and make plans to see it when it comes to Sept 26th. Love89 will host a listener screening on Sept 16th so starting the first of September be listening for your chance to see it for free with us - but if you do, understand you will the be a part of a major grass roots promotional movement... you must tell everyone you know to see this movie!
In fact - just tell everyone anyway...
This is a movie that could be the beginning of healing for a whole lot of couples, and a warning for other couples as they travel the journey together through the years to make sure you don't let the flames burn out of control.
Oh, and bring the kleenex guys. This means you too men, you'll need them as much as the ladies will, my husband did... and he loved it.