Opportunity to Become God’s Fixer Upper!

If you've ever watched (and, in my case, was addicted to) HGTV's "Fixer Upper" (after five seasons, now only in re-runs), you saw a fun-loving and talented couple, Chip and Joanna Gaines, transform old, in need of repair homes into a beautiful work of art. You will also probably know about their Magnolia Market, their family and what their values are about. I had been to their place before, and once was enough, but Bryson pleaded “Nana, can we stop in Waco at Magnolia Market?”

He and his mama have been fans of the show and he knew we’d be driving through Waco. He didn’t have to ask twice because I hadn’t seen the place for a couple of years and since then, there have been several add-ons. Now there’s an on-site bakery, a seed and feed store, and there are picnic tables all over where you can eat your food that is purchased from food trucks. Bryson had a yummy gourmet grilled cheese sandwich there. AND, they have added a fifth child – a baby boy, and it seems their notoriety just keeps getting grander all the time. Good for them!

They became famous by transforming homes that looked hopeless, but it's their example of a loving family that is proving to be the truest testament to their faith. The couple told the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, "Our family has made a commitment to put Christ first, a lifestyle our parents modeled for us very well. They showed us how to keep our marriage and family centered around God. As for 'Fixer Upper,' we have been surprised at the impact of our faith through the show. Jesus said the world would know His disciples by their love for one another, and we've glimpsed this in practice and strive for it every day."

Like the Gaines', God takes broken, in disrepair, unwanted and neglected people and through His mighty power transforms them into works of art and beauty. Chip and Joanna helped people find their "before-the-dream-come-true" fixer-upper, then the future homeowners had to let Chip and Joanna perform their "magic" on the home. In the same way, we must give relinquish control and submit to God's transforming power in our lives.

We, too, have the opportunity to be on display as "Parades of Homes, Life, and Blessings". When God is our #1, His blessings will chase us down, and His light will shine brightly through us to a world that needs to see true examples of commitment, faith, values, and love. Like the Gaines', God takes broken, in disrepair, unwanted and neglected people and through His mighty power, transforms them into works of art and beauty. Chip and Joanna helped people find their "before-the-dream-come-true" fixer-upper, then the future homeowners had to let Chip and Joanna perform their "magic" on the home. In the same way, we must give relinquish control and submit to God's transforming power in our lives.

Sometimes, the houses that Chip and Joanna helped select for their clients were so pathetic, that they had to completely demolish the existing structure, and then they were able to start fresh and clean as though the old house was never there. Isaiah 43:18-19 says “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” When we are ready to demolish that old life of regrets, mistakes, failures, tragedies, self-pity, defeat and sorrow, to living the glorious and abundant life that Christ came to bring us, we will be God's "fixer-upper" and show-off what a "Brand New Life" can look like and be.

Maybe you are a fixer-upper. You desire your life to be filled with peace, joy, abundance, healing, and victory? Maybe you'd like your tired, weary and stagnant life to be transformed into life brand new? It can happen because the One Who created us is ready to transform us from the inside out! The makeover we receive is all new and perfect in His sight. It starts by placing our lives in the hands of the Master Transformer. The choice is ours. We can submit ourselves as a fixer-upper, or we can hang on to the shabby house, the tattered clothes and the old way of life. The Lord won't force Himself on us. On the other hand, He will never turn us down . . . we merely need to say, "I'm ready, Lord. Have your way with me! I'm ready to be a fixer-upper!"

Do You Need a Fixer Upper?

Do You Need a Fixer Upper?

One of my all time favorite reality shows is HGTV's "Fixer Upper", not just because I love the hosts and the hands-on builder and interior designers, Chip & Joanna Gaines, a delightful couple with their four young kids, who live their personal lives in a raw, oftentimes hilarious, and authentic way, but also because I love seeing them transform a dilapidated, hopeless house and property into a gorgeous family home. Yes, I'm an endorser of that show, because it is so inspiring.

We too can have become a "fixer upper" by allowing the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit to transform us. We can be renewed and restored with a "before" and "after" story that will encourage others that they, too, can be transformed. Once Chip and Joanna help people find their "before-the-dream-come-true" fixer upper, the people have to let Chip and Joanna perform their "magic" on the home. In the same way, we have to give ourselves up, relinquish control, and submit to God's transforming power in our lives.

Sometimes, the houses that Chip and Joanna help select for their clients are so pathetic, that they have to completely demolish the existing structure, and then they are able to start fresh and clean as though the old house was never there. They'll start from the ground up and build a spectacular home for the family. From Isaiah 43:18-19we hear “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” When we are ready to demolish that old life of regrets, mistakes, failures, tragedies, self-pity, defeat and sorrow, to living the glorious and abundant life that Crhist came to bring us, we will be God's "fixer upper" show-off of what a "Brand New Life" can look like and be.

Do you want to be a "fixer upper"? Do you want a life filled with peace, joy, abundance, healing and victory? Do you want your tired, weary and stagnant life to be transformed into life brand new? We can be because the One Who created us is ready to transform us from the inside out! The makeover we receive is all new and perfect in His sight.

What must we do? Give it up for Him. We must let go and put our lives in the hands of the Master Transformer. The choice is ours. We can submit ourselves to be fixed up, or we can hang on to the shabby house, the tattered clothes and the old way of life. The Lord won't force Himself onus. On the other hand, He will never turn us down . . . we merely need to say, "I'm ready, Lord. Have your way with me!" Now get out that bulldozer, crane and wrecking ball and take down that old house! Are you ready to be a FIXER UPPER?

Brand New Life

Day 81 of Photo Inspirations -- Brand New Life
Yesterday, in front of me in church, I saw a little bit of heaven.....it was a precious newborn baby.  He drew all of us into his world -- a least those of us who sat near him.   When he was born, his Mama said "he looks like the other puppies In the basket!"  She would know -- he's the 5th "puppy" to come along into this beautiful family.

We were oohing and aahing at his every little move and facial expression he made, and a dear friend held him close for a few moments and I could tell she was feeling so close to God as she gazed upon his sweet little face.   I know that feel and I know that smell.  He still has heaven's scent on him.  What inspires me the most about this "brand new life"  is his preciousness, his sweetness, and his purity.  Nothing has tainted his innocence.  

Yes, I was inspired and I knew this would be my photo inspiration for this day.  I've added an additional photo from his Mama's FB page -- it is her Mom looking into the beautiful face of her grandson -- the oldest life looking at this precious "brand new life".

I've been posting a great deal about the coming of  Spring and the freshness and beauty of the "brand new life" we see all around us.  But of all the beauty that is seen in all the evidences of Spring, still nothing compares to someone that comes to a brand new life in Christ.  2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone. is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"   It's possible for us to have a "brand new life".  We can take confidence in knowing that God forgives us and gives us a clean slate, and then He gives us full access to His everlasting love and abundant life.  A brand new life in Christ brings love, joy, peace and a renewed sense of purpose for living.  Isn't that REALLY what this season is all about?  In just two weeks, we'll celebrate Easter -- Resurrection Sunday -- He Who was crucified, was buried and rose again.....brings us SPRINGTIME and gives us a "Brand New Life".

My daughter wrote and recorded this beautiful song "Brand New Life" -- listen to these words and may you "Come As You Are" to Him who will make "all things new your your life.
http://staciwallace.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/02-Brand-New-Life.mp3