The Fish Tank

I woke up before everyone the other day. This is a miracle in my home since I have such early risers. I made myself a cup of coffee, grabbed my book and my Bible, and headed outside. It had rained the night before, so this summer morning was cool and enjoyable. I sat in the silence for a bit taking in the sights and smells of aloneness. It was wonderful. "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 For the most part, I don't like being alone. I like the hustle and bustle of people around me. I like to serve others and feel needed. I sleep with the TV on when my husband is away. However, I also enjoy a quiet car where I get to choose what's on the radio and no one is asking for snacks or irritating his brother. There's value in being alone. In our culture, being alone isn't celebrated like it should. We thrive on being known. In school, we chase popularity. In adulthood, it's marriage we celebrate not singleness. We find worth in how many followers ...

'The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.' Genesis 2:22-26 When Scott and I were first married, we met with our pastor and his wife for two reasons: tithing and moving. We brought some serious debt to the table when we got married so tithing was difficult in the beginning. Scott also wanted to move out of state because California was so extraordinarily expensive. I, on the other hand, fought him tooth and nail on the subject. I could not imagine leaving my family and friends. Our pastor quoted Genesis 2:24 when we brought of the subject of moving and I knew he was right. We all know that when we ...

Did you ever make a list of qualities your future spouse had to have in order for you to marry him? I never actually wrote out a list, but I had one. I had my whole life planned out at 18. I was going to get married at 21 years old. Have my first child at 24. I would have a boy and a girl. I would teach for a little while and then move to the district office and write curriculum. We would live in Southern California by family and friends. I had terms. And God didn't listen. Have you ever stepped into something and said, "Nope. This does not fit my terms so it must not be for me." We give our God our list of terms and tell him to sign on the dotted line. No room for his plan here. His plan is my plan. I mean, it placed those desires in my heart right (Psalm 37:4)? 'For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' Jeremiah 29:11 We like to know God has a plan for our life...

"Heaven will tell the stories the earth missed." Jenni Allen This week I witness over 200 volunteers serve in various capacities. We had the front and center servants on stage in crazy costumes singing, dancing, and acting out funny parts. You had those who braved the Texas summer heat and played games with kids all morning long. Then there were those who were the creatives bringing Bible stories to life through a gadget. Then there were those who cut, prepared, and served over 600 snacks each day. I also saw countless people leading and guiding kiddos from station to station keeping them engaged, dealing with those behaviors that can be frustrating, and loving on them like Jesus. Last, and certainly not least, I watched men and women put in countless hours behind the scenes making things happen so this event could be a success. Some of these people were seen. Some received praise for their service. Others remained under the radar and will never be praised on this earth fo...

"How sweet is your name, Lord, how good You are Love to sing in the name of the Lord, love to sing for you all? Death could not hold You, the veil tore before You You silenced the boast, of sin and grave The heavens are roaring, the praise of Your glory For You are raised to life again" What a Beautiful Name Hillsong Worship Have you ever felt the need to prove yourself? That's probably a silly question. We all doubt ourselves at some point. But, I have to ask, because many of us live out each day trying to prove something to someone without even realizing we are doing it. We get stuck in the endless cycle of not-good-enough and fall into the trap of striving towards the unattainable and that which was not meant for us. Have you ever... -felt like an outcast -doubted your ability -convinced yourself there was no way you could do something -felt unworthy -felt too fat, too skinny, too shy, too loud, too dumb, too smart, too ugly -felt like you don't fi...

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10 John 10:10 is a common verse. It is used all the time to talk about how God gives us a good life to live. Some hold onto these words so tightly thinking life will be grand the moment they believe. Others wonder where this good life can be found. Jesus is talking, mostly, about eternity; that when we find him we will open ourselves up to a life of eternity that is so good it's unimaginable. I like to also believe, however, that Jesus is communicating that life can be good once we begin following after him regardless of circumstance. I don't know about you, but I sometimes have a difficult time enjoying life. This world is so harsh, there is so much hurt, that sometimes I feel bad for being happy. I watch my friends and loved ones go through excruciating things and sometimes feel guilty that I am sitting over in my corner enjoying myself. I ...

A few months ago, I walked into my house from the garage and heard an odd sound. I couldn't quite figure out where it was coming from nor could I decipher what on earth was making that sound. I stood silently for a second and realized the noise was coming from upstairs. Upon further investigation, I realized we had a bird trapped in our house. I ran downstairs and knocked on my husband's office door. I mouthed, "There's a bird in the house!" in a panicked, yet silent, tone. He mouthed back, "I'm on a call. I can't help." Grrrrrreat. That means I have to get the bird. Alrighty-then. I grabbed my gym towel and crept up the stairs. The bird was frozen, so I took advantage of the situation and gently grabbed the dove with the towel. I carried it downstairs and set her on the table outside. I was soon knocked in the head by her partner as he swooped down to rescue her and they flew away. The very next day, my husband and I were both sidelined by bir...