Crisis Mode

Everywhere you turn lately people are talking about the crisis in our country. Every news station has experts, politicians and the like weighing in on who is to blame for the country's economic crisis. We have an oil crisis, a mortgage crisis, an employment crisis, a financial crisis, an energy crisis and by the looks of food prices a food crisis as well. All of the finger pointing and blame games do nothing to identify the source or the solution for all these problems. Our leaders can spend all the money on earth to boost the economy and bail out institutions but unless we call it what it is, their solution may only amount to a band aid on a broken leg.

In May of this year, I was sitting out on the deck of my sister-n-laws house during a girls weekend getaway. It was a beautiful crisp morning, with the sun shining through the many tree tops in her backyard. As I looked out in wonder at God's creation and beauty the Lord led me to read Psalm 105. I wrote; Remember God's mighty works, all he has done for his people-the nation of Israel. We recount step by step as God protected them, provided for them, led them, blessed them, sheltered them, fed them and even disciplined them. Our Father in heaven has done the same for our Nation, the United States.

Many are unaware that in 1863, our president, Abraham Lincoln made April 30th a National Day of Prayer and Humiliation. He decreed that we, as a nation were to come back to God and humble ourselves, repenting of our sins and asking for God's forgiveness.

So my prayer this Thanksgiving is to thank God for blessing our Nation for so long, providing for our needs, feeding us, and yes even disciplining us. Do not let us forget all that You have done O' Lord to provide and protect your children. Thank you Lord for allowing me to live in a prosperous, abundant and peaceful land. Let our country and our people recognize you Lord are the provider, sustainer and giver of all life. Be still people and know God!

President Lincoln wrote, "It is the duty of our Nation as well as men to depend on God, confess their sins and transgressions, humble yourselves in sorrow because with assurance and hope of our genuine repentance will lead to mercy and forgiveness and recognize the truth in Scripture proven by all history that the Nations only are blessed who's God is the Lord."

So rather than worry and be anxious about the state of our economy, rather than point fingers and blame each other for the problems of our nation, let us follow the direction and duty of a man who once guided our country through one of the most devastating experiences in it's history.

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2Chron. 7:14

Motivated by Power

I'm really looking forward to our upcoming Women's bible study at Harvest. Soon, we will begin studying the life and ministry of Paul which will take us into early May. I remember when I first committed to doing an 8 month inductive bible study, I was really terrified that I'd never make it to the finish line. But, with God's help I was motivated to not give up and my journey bestowed treasures that are eternal.

As I was reading Acts 14:22, a terror arose inside of me, Lord will I make it to the finish line?

Paul had been going from city to city preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. Along the way, he'd encountered unbelieving Jews who stirred up others poisoning their minds against Paul and the other brethren. There was a violent attempt to abuse and stone them so Paul fled to Lystra and Derbe which were cities in the surrounding region. Paul continued to preach the gospel even healing a man who had never walked. Paul's persecutors were relentless in trying to stop Paul from preaching the gospel. They again, persuaded the multitudes who then stoned Paul, dragging him outside of the city and left him for dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose and went into the city.


I'm encouraged every time I hear when the body of Christ, gathers around their brother praying for him, laying hands on him, asking God for strength and healing power. God answered, he arose and kept going.

The next day, Paul went into Derbe preaching the gospel and making many disciples. After he was done there, what he did next was amazing! Paul went back to the cities that threatened him, beat him, stoned him and left him for dead in order to strengthen the souls of the disciples and encourage them to continue in the faith. He told them, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."

What???? It was at that point the terror arose in me. Oh Lord, I hate going through tribulation, can't I enter the kingdom of God without it? Granted, our tribulation is no where near the kind that Paul experienced, but if it were, would I be willing? Would I have gone back to the city where I was hated, beat, stoned and thrown out of their city left to die? What was Paul's motivation to endure such persecution (infliction of harm and suffering)?


Paul was willing to die for the sake of the gospel. He wanted others to know the truth and receive eternal life. His belief in Jesus, in Christ's death and resurrection, this power, this truth, compelled him to tell others. Paul's motivation was that Jesus lives and he was steadfast in this hope of eternal life. Paul's focus was not on himself, his suffering, or on his enemies but on Jesus. His motivation? It was God's power that motivated him to face his opponents, danger, difficulty and even death for Christ's sake. The truth of our glorious future with Christ will empower us and motivate us to endure any kind of trouble. It was God's power that kept him going.

2 Corinthians 4:7-11 tells us that even though Paul was wounded, bruised, beaten down and left for dead, he was not forsaken or destroyed. He got back up and kept doing what he was called to do. Paul relied on God's power, he knew it to be a treasure. It was only God's power that strengthened Paul, it was God who spared him and enabled him to continue to preach the gospel and testify of God's deliverance. Through much tribulation, Paul becomes a broken vessel, through which God's glory is manifested. Through much tribulation, we are brought to our knees, fully relying on God's power to endure.

So as tribulation arises I can have the confidence and be motivated by God's power to keep going and finish well. Jesus told Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I know there is nothing in my own strength that can bring such endurance, devotion and motivation. Along this journey I will find myself crushed, broken hearted and beaten but I'm not destroyed and my God does not leave me or forsake me.

Blessed with His Benefits

Today was bittersweet. Our summer has come to an end. The long lazy days of sleeping in, lounging by the pool, going to the beach, and continuous fun are over. Now it's alarm clocks, busy mornings, and back to the freeway! Argh!

As Austin jumped out of the car with backpack in tow, and raced towards his new school there was no looking back for him only excitement and a little nervousness to what this new season holds.

I decided to park and saw some moms I knew standing at a distance from the kids, so as to not intrude. I guess it's no longer cool to walk your 7th grader to their first class and don't even think about taking pictures. They invited me to the Tuesday morning prayer meeting they have on campus. What a amazing group of moms and dads that I met. Even more, what a privledge it was to be praying in unity for the covering of our children and praising Jesus for his faithfulness and provision. Psalm 103:2 says, "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-" what benefits we have indeed!

Our days of summer may have ended but I cheerish the time spent with family and friends. "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Ecc.3:1