No Matter What -- God's Got This School Year

In spite of the face masks, rules of hygiene, social distancing, on-line or in-person school – I’m asking God for His favor on this year with so many blessings and great accomplishments for our children AND even for you moms and dads. What a breath of fresh air it has been to see such optimism on my FB feed lately of photos of kids going back to school.

Those precious children make me smile with great hope for the beginners, the teenagers and college ones in their dorm rooms. Wide-eyed wonder and excitement about a new year of meeting new friends and having great adventures. No doubt, there will be certain challenges along the way, but I choose to believe it will open their minds to all the possibilities and rewards of being a winner and an overcomer.

I loved my dear friend’s comment to me that of all the concerns she had, her kids are so optimistic, contented and settled into their dorm or school already. Now, she’s optimistic, contented and grateful to God and expecting to be an overcoming mom! I’ve seen many optimistic parents making bold confessions of faith for their kiddos. I’m praying that the first of this school year reveals tremendous resolve and determination because of how last year’s school-year ended – with resolve and determination of you stay-at-home parents who CONQUERED! I loved one mom’s prayer: “My prayer tonight as my boy takes his first steps into high school -- above everything -- that being a Christ-follower is at the top of his desires."

That’s the attitude we should all have for our children and grandchildren. Of all the knowledge they acquire, all the common sense experiences that they will learn from -- the single most important achievement is to be devoted followers of Christ in their friendships, in the decisions they make and their problem-solving with God’s wisdom leading the way.

Luke 2:52 mentions four areas Jesus grew in as a young boy: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.” Our Lord grew wiser and He physically grew. His relationship with His Heavenly Father continuously grew and was strengthened. Jesus even gained favor with people who saw Him day to day. I love the simple sentence that precedes this: “His mother kept all these things in her heart.” We never see Mary worried and anxious. She pondered about her son, but she didn’t allow her heart to become rattled. And neither should we.

May we all strive to be like Mary, turning our anxious thoughts into treasured prayers, kept safe and held fast by our loving Father — the One who knows our hearts and loves our children even more than we do. When a concern pops up in our mind, we carry that concern to God. When we start to fear for our child’s future, we petition the One who knows what the future holds.

Heavenly Father, I pray for all these precious children that are starting a new school year. Protect them, encourage them and fill them with strong minds to learn and grow. Help them to be a great friend and to have great friends. I pray moms and dads can turn their concerns and worries into prayers, knowing You are in control. Please help them to treasure each moment with their children as they grow in wisdom and stature and favor with others and You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Philippians 4:6-7, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving; let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

2020’s Silent Shifter

A “Silent Shifter” changed everything about the way we think. It was like an invisible force field swept over our world. The fight for life has been the #1 goal. Our world has been united in this fight. Our medical field and essential services' heroes put on their “superman/woman” capes, masks, gloves and have been relentless in their exploits as they help to rescue humanity. The word, hero, has forever changed the way we use that word.

On the positive side – the “silent shifter” caused gasoline prices to go down. Pollution has subsided, so much so, that it seems like wildlife came out of hiding and is celebrating. The sounds of nature are louder. The air seems clearer to breathe in deeply. We want to get outside more and walk or just stand in “social distancing” and talk to each other. We have more time for each other. Parents are spending time with their kids as a family and work, traveling and social life is no longer a priority.

Yesterday, I attended a “LIVE” outdoor concert along with others in my community at LaDonna Gatlin Johnson's and her husband, Tim's backyard. They had moved their grand piano to their dining room. Tim is a gifted pianist, and of course, LaDonna is equally gifted as a vocalist and the "baby" sister of the Gatlin Brothers. We sang along to several "heavenly" songs, but one if my favorites was “Great is Thy Faithfulness”. When she got to the line, “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow”, she teared up and so did we. Our Lord gives us the strength for this day and, PRAISE GOD, knowing Him gives us bright hope for tomorrow. On one of the songs, this cute couple couldn't resist getting out of their seats and dancing! I loved it!


As you can see from the photos, we sat “social distanced” in our lawn chairs. It was wonderful to sing, praise and make the most of celebrating God’s goodness. My dear cousins, Dr. Charles and Mary Ellen Snow, live here in my community. Dr. Snow, gave an inspiring talk about our Lord’s “Blessed Assurance” that He’s got this and He's got us! Oh, how sweet to know Him!

It seems solidarity, hope and faith, as well as appreciation for each other, has risen to a new level. We’ve realized that we are all in the same boat; rich and poor. New cars and old cars are in garages. Small living spaces as well as mansions house families. Survival has become the most central theme.

We’re learning about each other during these times. I’m sorry for those who don’t have faith, because I know our best protection is GOD. Our best refuge is HOME. Our best company is FAMILY. Our best wealth is HEALTH. Our best time is TODAY. Our best attribute is PATIENCE.

What matters most is our HEART and our trust in God. The main thing is we are NOT God and only He is in MASTER control. We are having to be who He made us to be – human BEINGS – not human DOINGS. What if we just breathed in and out, BEING a child who awaits Daddy to get home and surprise us with something He’s bringing to us. What if we stop our narcissistic “It’s all about ME” and become “It’s all about YOU, God!” I will be patient, in the meantime, and be willing to go back to the basics, to the essentials of letting Your peace guide me as my Creator and I, Your Creation. I’m thinking I’m going to settle for that in my heart and soul!

What if we hold tight and watch God do what He does best? He is the Silent Shifter! Let’s be willing to be “shifted”!

Letting the Whole World Know

We are seizing so many opportunities to share good news via technology. We sure need that good news! Facebook and FB Live, YouTube videos, teleconferencing, Instagram and other forms of communicating hope-filled messaging. Before the internet and social media, many of us Jesus followers were quite reclusive. Our faith stayed at home. Jesus “talk” was easy there. We’d pray around the dinner table or at bedtime for typical family needs. It was faith between us four and no more.

But, HELLO, 2020! Who would have thought, way back when, that we would, one day, be visually interacting with people around the world without leaving the comfort of our homes? We are seizing these opportunities to live our faith outloud online before countless numbers of people. Not to mention, when all doors closed for worship in our churches, that we could worship with our churches online. We are sharing great faith videos and images that encourage and build up each other. We've realized that we ARE the church to our world.

We have become evangelists and have been unleashed to spread the good news from behind a computer or a cell phone. I see you. You know who you are. You are the ones who share scriptures, prayers, quotes and videos bearing faith-filled and hope-filled messages.

When Jesus said in John 14:12, “And greater works than these (the works that He performed) will you do….”, He was foretelling about what we could accomplish. It is time for us to raise our voices even louder. As children of God, we are family! It’s time to keep putting faith-building, fear-destroying words out there. We never know whose life we might impact because of something we posted on social media. There is so much power in our words. When we change our words from complaining, whining, blaming or criticizing to faith-filled, encouraging, loving and caring words, we change our world.

Let’s be billboards that make God famous. We are missionaries because we are on a mission. We have been sent. We were sent the second the first spark of life flickered in our mother’s womb and now to wherever we are today and to whoever crosses our paths – via the street or the internet!

When we read Jesus words in Mark 16:15 to "Go into all the world and preach the good news", little did we realize we could do it right from the comfort of our homes. So, let's preach that good news today! So many need to hear it!

The Year We Came Together

If there’s anything we learned from it all -- it’s we’ll never take a handshake, a hug or a kiss for granted again. (That's why I can't help but kiss and hug you so much!)To my future grandchildren and great grandchildren:
WOW! What a year 2020 was! Before the BIG “C-Virus”, our world was so divided. There were literal wars and political wars beyond belief. So many people were selfish and talked so bad to and about each other. The heroes before the C-virus were the highly paid professional athletes, musicians, recording artists, politicians and movie stars. While in the quarantine of the C-virus, the true heroes became those in the medical field and grocery store shelf stockers and moms and dads teaching their kids at home and those who were near-poverty because their store or business was shut down. Can you even imagine this? Grocery store refrigerators and shelves were empty. We had to stand in line to get toilet paper and paper towels. There were no professional, college or high school sports games played. No March Madness – well, there was madness, but not with basketball. Businesses – big and small were either closed altogether or their employees were working from home. Food establishments stopped indoor dining and only provided drive-thru meals. We quickly ran in and out of grocery stores in a hurry. People even wore gloves and masks. When they got home, they took off the clothes they wore and washed them right away. Our churches were closed. Online worshipping was the norm. “Social distancing” was the main theme. We had to stay away from closeness in public. Online connectedness was the best way to stay close to each other.

But, that C-Virus did something to us and for us. It brought us together as families and friends. Technology helped with that because we couldn’t go to each other’s homes. We were connected by the internet. Thank God for the internet. Thank God for our phones. Thank God for a wise President who led our Country to wholeness again. Now, there’s a vaccine that stops the spread of the virus and a vaccine that we can take to keep us from ever getting it. Once again, we are free to go about our lives and businesses and friendships.

We’ll never take full shelves and refrigerators at the grocery stores for granted. We’ll never take for granted: a crowded theater, going to church, the taste of communion, a routine check-up, the school rush each morning, the stadiums roaring, taking each breath deeply, the reasons for washing our hands many times a day.

And, my precious grandchild and great grandchild, just look at us now. We have so much to be grateful for. Like in the story of Joseph in the Bible -- "What the enemy meant for evil, God meant it for good." Genesis 50:20. That’s how we came out of our C-Virus nightmare. God turned all of the chaos into so much beauty because we became more like the people we wanted to be, called to be, hoped to be and just look at us now. We are so much better because of the worst. God brought neighbors back together again. Our family units were restored. We ate together as a family. We slowed down our lives and appreciated what mattered most. Most of all, we learned that it is God who changed everything for us. We humbled ourselves, we turned from our wicked ways and we surrendered to His will and His ways. We trusted Him more than our money and our material possessions. We prayed. We cried out to Him and He heard our prayers and He healed our lands and our people. I'm so thankful I went through that experience so that I can tell you that living for Jesus, loving Him with all my heart and trusting Him kept me strong enough to tell you about it.
I love you so, so much, my beloved grands!
Nana

I Want the Vision of an Eagle

When I saw this graphic on a friend’s FB post last week, I knew I wanted to retract my words on a New Year’s Eve blog that I made about desirng to have 20/20 vision for 2020.

I had another “epiphany” (seems to be my word of the year). The graphic below is what I saw on my friend’s FB post. "I will not settle for 20/20 vision!" I learned something new. 20/20 vision is just normal vision. I want to have “eagle eye” vision. Eagle eye” describes the highly developed visual ability of bald eagles that can spot a moving rabbit almost a mile away. An eagle, flying at 1,000 foot altitude can spot prey almost 3 square miles. That’s what I call super powerful vision and I want it!

So if the eagle is known for its great vision, what about you and I? I know we can't see a long-way-off naturally. I'm talking about a spiritual "vision". In Proverbs 29:18, Solomon wrote, "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he." The word "vision" here means "a mental sight (i.e., a dream, revelation, mentally to perceive, contemplate). The word generally refers to a "divine vision" from God -- and so it means to understand the events happening around us, in the light of what the Bible says about the “times we’re living in”. This scripture puts it into words that surely we should SEE with eagle-eye vision: "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God -- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." (II Timothy 3:1-5).

That surely puts into divine perspective what it looks like in these times. It's true Bible prophecy and when we open our "eagle" eyes and recognize it as truth, we’ll really start to perceive the future, and take warning. Many people lack understanding and spiritual insight. They lack "vision." They also lack "perception" of the things of God -- the deeper truths, and the more profound understandings. They cannot "see afar off.' They are hindered by spiritual near-sightedness.

I know this isn’t my usual “dancing in the rain” kind-of-blog, but deep inside, I pray for us all to have "eagle" eyes. As believers we have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of us so we do have God’s eyes available to us to see things from His perspective. As we start to draw closer to the Lord in our own personal relationship with Him, there will be times that He will allow us to start “seeing” what certain Scripture verses may mean. We will start to “see” what the real truth is in many matters of our own personal life. When that kind of seeing starts to occur, we know that it is the Holy Spirit Himself allowing us to see through His eyes, not our eyes. It's God Himself literally allowing us to see things from His point of view and perspective.

In John 8:31-32, Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” But we first have to see what that truth is before it can set us free. In Proverbs 22:3, Solomon wrote, "A prudent man foresees the evil, and hides himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.." This graphic says, “As citizens of the Kingdom, we must live beyond the norm. To do so, we must see what others do not see." Bring on that eagle vision, dear Lord, that is at least four times greater than our 20/20 vision. I desire that 20/5 vision. I want to see clearly the signs of the times -- ready to see as God sees and love as He loves and acts as He acts. Open my eyes, Lord! I want to see as YOU see!

God Has Always Had a People

As relentless as I am to be optimistic, I know there will be plenty of opportunities to go rogue and get caught up in the whirlwinds of negativity that will, no doubt, get even more ferocious in 2020. After all, it’s a presidential election year, and, well, if you’ve paid any attention at all to the rancor and nausea-inducing negativity, you’ll know 2020 will not be for the faint of heart.

That’s why we must shift our mindsets and our thinking from falling prey to that darkness. Our true colors will be revealed this year. We’re going to witness just how Christian we really are. How kind. How compassionate. How courageous. How committed. How fervent we are in prayer and absolute certainty that God is in control. The real questions are “What kind of representatives of Christ are we?” How deep is our faith? How different is our voice than the mean-spirited voices that surround us and bombard us 24/7, if we let them?

The key to UNLOCKING the PLENTY in 2020 of God’s grace and love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.– the fruit of the Spirit -- is letting our lights shine so much brighter than the darkness that permeates the other side. It doesn’t take going to see a Star Wars movie to realize that we are in a constant battle of darkness (the dark side) and the light side.

The crazier (and darker) things get, the more clearly our light MUST shine. I sincerely believe God has always had a people – a people who represent Him as His non-compromising followers. There’s a shaking about to occur. I believe it’s going to be a time when God's people rise up with wisdom and insight and courage, and live above the political fray.

When I was writing this blog and typed the words “God has always had a people”, I remembered that was a line in the song, “The Church Triumphant” written by Bill and Gloria Gaither. I googled it. Just take a look at these words in the interlude. They nail it – nail the hand-writing on the wall of WHO we are and WHOSE we are:

"God has always had a people. Many a foolish conqueror has made the mistake of thinking that because he'd driven the Church of Jesus Christ out of sight, that he had stilled its voice and snuffed out its life, but God has always had a people. The powerful current of a river is not diminished because it is forced to flow underground. The purest water is the stream that bursts crystal clear into the sunlight after it has forced its way through solid rock. There are charlatans, who like Simon the magician sought to barter on the open market this power which cannot be bought or sold but God has always had a people; men who could not be bought and women who were beyond purchase. God has always had a people.There have been times of affluence and prosperity where the Church's message has been nearly diluted into oblivion by those who sought to make it socially attractive, re-organized and financially profitable. It's been gold plated, draped in purple and encrusted in jewels. It's been misrepresented, ridiculed, lauded and scorned. These followers of Jesus Christ have been, according to the whim of the times, elevated as sacred leaders and martyred as heretics. Yet through it all, there marches on this powerful army. God's chosen people who cannot be bought, flattered, murdered or stilled. On through the ages they march. This church, God's church is ALIVE and WELL.

And, yes, my friend and fellow believers in the Church and the Cross of Jesus Christ, let us STAND tall, knowing that we are on the LIGHT side – the Church Triumphant side -- and we know, based on the end of the book – WE WIN!

"You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame." Joel 2:26-27

A Year of GREAT Expectations!

With the Christmas season and story still resonating in my heart -- of a baby in a manger Who became our Savior, I am starting this new year of 2020 on a " great expectation” high. Certainly not expecting a Disney World kind-of-magical-year, but simple confidence in “He Who began a good work in me (and you), is faithful to complete it!” (Philippians 1:6) He Who promised that if I put my faith and trust in Him, will show me where to go and how to get there! “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.” (Proverbs 14:26)

As I said in my blog yesterday, the number 20 symbolizes expectancy. My “expectors” are on high alert for a 2020 year and a decade of blessings! I plan to wake up each day with expecting the best out of this day – this moment. No doubt, there will be some highs and lows – but it doesn’t matter, because I plan to view each day as a gift and how I tackle it with my attitude AND fortitude will either make it or break it for me – and even others in my sphere of influence.

My husband and I, for years, made it an annual tradition to meet with our children and we’d write out our goals for the next year. We made dream boards that made our visions very plain (Habakkuk 2:2) like this one of mine and Payton’s. BTW – most all of the pictures and the dreams behind them came true in some way. There’s just something to be said for goal-setting and vision-casting. Goals create a road map for success. They are the targets that we point our lives to – with a starting point and a destination to reach. They help us clarify what we desire to do, understanding the importance of pursuing them and committing ourselves to making them happen.

My vision casting, today, isn’t so much about the things to attain since I’ve been there and have been so blessed. I’m in this sweet season of purposely laying up my treasures in heaven far more. That’s not to say we shouldn’t set goals spiritually AND naturally that include dreams and desires. But, for me, my goals are so simple – spending time with my family, some travelling, but most of all, serving God. I’m intent on leaving a legacy of faith. I sincerely believe this 2020 year will be marked by opportunities to share God’s good news everywhere I go. My “YES” is big when it comes to being a devoted follower of Christ. I’m keeping my eyes and ears wide open with great expectations for a harvest of souls into the Kingdom of God and seeing radical life transformations in those God places in my pathway. I’m purposing to find things that I can take delight in so that I always dwell on goodness and not sorrow. I know I can trust God to bring me through every circumstance in peace.

I am looking to the future and not the past. I know WHO holds my future so I have no reason to fear or doubt. I refuse to allow discouragement to take me off course. I intend to embrace what God is doing in each situation and circumstance of my life because, by now, I’ve learned “ALL things work together for good” because I love God with all my heart and I know I’m called according to His purposes.” (Romans 8:28)

This is my "Great Expectation" declaration! Could I please urge you to begin this year with a Great Expectation declaration, too? Great Expections that something good is about to happen to you and yours each day. Great expectations that God is for you. Great expectations for a great hope and future (Jeremiah 29:11). Great expectations for living in hope, love, joy and peace – every single day of this new year! Let's get our "expectors" expecting!

20/20 Vision for 2020

2020 is almost here. I love that round number. My grandson, Payton, was born in 2000. No problem keeping up with his age. It’s the same end-two digits of the year. He’ll be 20 in 2020.

I enjoy studying numbers and their meaning in the Bible. Here are some clues for what we can expect in the new year based on the number 20 in the Bible. First, the number 20 signifies expectancy or things to look forward to and it symbolizes the cycles of completeness. It is also often connected to a perfect period of waiting, labor or suffering that is compared to a trial and rewarded. Jacob waited 20 years to get his wives and property in his possession and released from his father-in-law. Israel waited 20 years for deliverance through Samson. Solomon waited 20 years for the completion of two houses. May we have 20/20 vison for 2020 to be OUR year of dreams coming true, deliverances, and many accomplishments. It's up to us to stand strong and to believe it so!

In case you didn't know -- 2020 will be a Leap Year with 366 days in the year. That’s because the Earth actually takes 365 days 5 hours 48 minutes and 46 seconds to go completely around the sun. To keep the calendar cycle synchronized with the seasons, one extra day is added every four years as February 29th. It's called Leap Year because in 365-day years, fixed dates advance one day in the week per year. For example, Christmas fell on a Tuesday in 2018 and on a Wednesday in 2019. With the insertion of a “leap day”, dates (following February) advance two days instead of one. In 2020, Christmas will leap over Thursday to fall on a Friday. Good news – a longer holiday weekend! You’re welcome!

Whatever 2020 holds – and we know it will be a year of many ups and downs in politics, let’s not get that “ups and downs” mentality in our minds about our own lives. I'm NOT! I’ve got my 20/20 glasses on and my EXPECTORS expecting this to be a banner year when it comes to the goodness and faithfulness of our God Who holds our future and all that comes our way! I’m on the 20/20 expecting side of grace upon grace, mercy upon mercy, joy upon joy, peace upon peace, and overtaking us in powerful ways because we are on the same winning side as our God. Whatever 2020 holds for you and me is just about the same as it is for any minute, hour, day, month or year! We may not know what the future holds, but we know WHO holds our future and “Through our God, we shall do valiantly. It is HE Who will tread down our enemies.” (Psalm 60:12).

Happy New Year’s Eve and Happy and Blessed New Year to you and yours! Own it! Those blessings are ours for the speaking, acting and SEEING with 20/20 vision for 2020!

Happy 2020! Let's Be Front-Liners!

I am amped up about this new year! I share these words that I texted my children yesterday. Since I’ve attained the “wiser, older” status with all these years under my belt, I get to pour it on -- believing they are words straight from heaven-central:

“Praise God. I am so excited for 2020. I see it as a year of overcoming, many victories won, and what the enemy meant for evil, God is going to bring about so much good (Genesis 50:20). I see dreams and visions coming true for my family. I see above and beyond all we can ask or think according to the power that works (God’s power) in us (Ephesians 3:20). So, let’s power-up! Miracles upon miracles, blessings upon blessings, I decree and declare over my family in Jesus’ name. I have something stirring inside me that believes and sees it for all of my family – from the youngest (Bryson) to me, the oldest. There is an anticipation building inside me that this is going to be a miraculous year for our family. God is setting up His people for a powerful, mighty move of God. Let’s agree together to not settle for less than His power working in us this year – being instruments of His peace everywhere we go and we see others through the lens of Jesus and we encourage them, give them words of life and peace. They will leave our presence with new hope and expectation for their lives. I decree and declare it so, in Jesus mighty name. Amen. I love you so, so much!”

I encourage you to stand up strong and take faith-filled words and declare them with fervent belief over your families. Display and live out holy, righteous boldness in faith this year.

Some of us are skeptical about 2020 because 2019 was such a rough year. We can take the woe-is-me approach to this new year OR we can be a front-liner on God’s team and we can let Him strategically position us for a major harvest of blessings – and while we’re being blessed – we’re positioned in His army for bringing in an army of lost souls to His saving grace, too! We’ve been in boot camp, so to speak, and we graduated with flying colors. I have holy butterflies fluttering inside me because I'm determined to be on that "front-liner" team.

I sense, for those who are willing, that God is opening our eyes with 20/20 vision for our assignments this year -- having depth of perception, skills that discern the enemy with the ability to take him out with precision. I'm believing for now-moments where God will download breakthrough strategies for this year.

I sense that radical faithfulness to standing strong in the heat of the battle in 2019 was seen by God. Despite what we went through, we trusted God. He was and is watching us TODAY – this first day of the new year. I believe He has been singling out front-liners and I'm raising my hand! Pick me, Lord!

I sincerely believe this will be a new year of such closeness to God that we’ll hear His heartbeat and we'll see through His lens for His people. He is giving us 20/20 vision and we shouldn’t be afraid to step out boldly in faith. Remember Moses and his fears? “Then Moses said to the Lord, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant. But I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue." The Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who made the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you must say" (Exodus. 4:10-12).

I believe that in this new year and new decade, we will respond to God's nudges and His whispers to stepping up and going where He sends us. We will conquer because He goes before us. He is our Father and will not leave or forsake us. So, won’t you join me and be a front-liner this year?