A gentle whisper from the LORD...

"Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." 1 Kings 19:11-12

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

CozyColor

Today my children and I opened up an Etsy Shop called CozyColor.  We sew homemade gifts such as coffee sleeves, bookmarks and gifts for the kitchen. 

Sewing always bring my mind back to God.  He knit us together in our mothers' wombs!  What always amazes me is to start with a fresh piece of fabric.  After some cutting and needles punching through at a rapid speed, it slowly begins to turn into something beautiful and purposeful.  The end product stirs excitement in my heart as I anticipate the usefulness it will offer someone along with the vibrant colors it feeds the eye.

Please come visit us to learn more about CozyColor.  Every time you see a sewing gift, let it always remind you of the work God is doing in your life to create you into what he planned for you to be in his Kingdom.  There may be pain in the process but keep your eyes on the end product! 

 


Sunday, July 27, 2014

I AM...Everything I Am Not


In the seasons of my life, I have found myself under the authority of different people as you have experienced as well…a boss, an overseer.  No matter if my position was a paid worker or merely a volunteer, it was vital that I jump at the opportunity to serve alongside my authority with a common goal of serving others.  And at any given moment, if I was called out by name and chosen for a task, no matter how I felt inside, rather overwhelmed, inadequate or simply excited, I found myself obediently carrying out my duty, no questions asked.  And as my mama always taught me, talking back must never follow the summons. 
But how is it, when God Almighty, the Great I AM, calls me to be a part of his Kingdom work at a particular time and place, working alongside of God in order to serve others, I find myself throwing a temper tantrum on the floor, crying out to him, “Why, God?  Why?”  Or as my heart begs for an answer, I whine, “I want it THIS way!  Your way isn’t what I had planned!”  Why is it when the I AM says, “Go here” or “Stay put,” “Give up this” or “Go do that,” my two year old side bursts out into all directions?  How can I instantly trust another sinful person in our worldly work; yet, arrogantly argue with I AM over His eternal Kingdom work?
Ouch.  That hurts to admit to you.  But it’s the honest truth.  I’m an arrogant, prideful child of God.
God is the “I AM”…everything that “I am not.”
 And from this truth, God tells me

I AM your strength.

I AM your peace.

I AM your joy.

I AM your salvation.

I AM your protection.

I AM your God!

As I leave you a familiar truth from the great I AM, read it as though you’ve never heard it in your life; as if this is the first time these sacred words have touched your ears.  Let us not argue with God when he calls us in his plan but rather trust in His ways.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
Lean not on your own understandings.
In all your ways, acknowledge him,
And [I AM] will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Goodbye and Hello

No matter how we try to escape it, we will always meet up with a goodbye in one form or another.  We can't escape the tearing of souls and the tears shed from the ache it leaves behind.  It's all a part of life, since the beginning of time.  I can't imagine experiencing the first goodbye, watching the Garden of Eden shrink in size behind them as Adam and Eve walked further and further away from true paradise.  Even Paul talks about the heartache the church endures as he leaves friends as close as family behind, with the knowledge that their embraces, more than likely, won't meet on this earth again.

But God, in his mercy and grace, always brings something beautiful out of the heartache.  If you stop and think about it, there will always be a hello on the other side.  Saying goodbye to parents as the 18 year old heads off to college results in a hello to new friends, new experiences and a new chapter in life.  Saying goodbye to beloved family and heartfelt friendships always leads to new family and friends, expanding our horizons and perspectives on this earth.  And ultimately, a goodbye to this earth is a hello to Christ, for those whose trust is in Jesus Christ their Lord.  The best part of it all is that everything ends with a hello for eternity.

Should you face a goodbye in your life, remember a hello is just around the corner.  And goodbyes, in the family of God, are never forever!  All praise and glory to our Lord Jesus Christ!

Goodbye...until next time.