Just a Jesus Follower

"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
-- The Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 11:1)

I was one of those non-conversational, shy, withdrawn, and lacking self-confidence, kind-of-girl. I had big faith, but little output. I kept my faith to myself. The main reason? The fear of rejection. Sure, I’d invite friends to church with me, but I’d leave the Jesus-talk to the minister. I knew the “Good News” of Jesus, but I was afraid to share it. I worried my friends would reject me because they thought I was a Jesus fanatic.

I overcame those fears when I got me out of my “first place” priority and moved God up to "Numero Uno"! That helped me understand my place in God’s family and allowed me to view the opinions of others with an eternal perspective. That eternal perspective of being a leader who others follow right on to eternity with me!

I’m quite in-your-face when it comes to my blogging. I know it. You don’t have to tell me. I don’t want to impress you, but I do want to impress upon my followers that FIRST PLACE priority. My point isn’t to get more followers. I am just a follower of Jesus. I am just a gal who found out where the living water is and I am trying to share it with others. I am not the source of it, Jesus is. Follow Him.

I just want to write and to share out of the abundance of the life-giving water He gives me every day. I lean on the well and even hang out at the well. I try not to wander too far off from it. I know my track record and I don’t like the feeling of being so thirsty, lacking hope and joy, when I meander away from the well. I will tell you a secret. I don’t know all of the 4,193 friends on my Facebook page. And, all of them don’t really know me. I pray they are following me because they met Jesus face to face in something I blogged about. I am so thankful for that because it is the reason I began blogging in the first place.

It’s time to let God get the glory from what we do and what we say. It is so worthless to rant and rave about things that don't matter in the light of eternity. It is so worthwhile to spread the Good News that has a pay-off of eternal proportions. It’s time to Follow Him so He can say about us: “Hey, you know her/him. She/he started this blog/social media ministry, and now I HAVE ____ followers. Well done good and faithful servant.”

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19) We are meant to catch them and teach them to follow Him not us. It is important to get the message out there, but it shouldn’t be our focus. He is our focus, and our message just keeps getting clearer and clearer!

Unlimited Possibilities

This sweet boy is my godson, Owen, and to say I'm blessed to have him in my life puts it mildly. Last night, at Zarrow International School (Spanish immersion), he promoted from elementary school to middle school, and I was thrilled to be there for the celebrations and recognitions.

He won first place in fifth graders in Math and first place in Social Studies. Since Zarrow is a Spanish immersion school, the work the kids do is mostly all in Spanish, so was I ever impressed that Owen did so well.

Standing under their school's motto: "One Child, Two Languages -- Unlimited Possibilities", I thought "They have no idea how right on those words are, when it comes to our Owen."

Sitting with his Mom, Dad and siblings (who I adore also), were Owen's grandmother and I. I couldn't help but tear up with thanksgiving, at where Owen is today, compared to the rough start he had in life, 11-1/2 years ago. I took a photo of him and his grandmother and texted it to her. Immediately, I thought about the conversations she and I had when Owen was first born. He was a very sick baby with several complications. He remained in neonatal ICU for quite some time. When I couldn't get hold of his Mom and Dad because their hands were so full, I would often call or text her. Last night she and I embraced and talked about that, and together, we thanked and praised God for our very smart, strong and healthy boy today. Yes, God answers prayer.

We fell in love with that little guy several years ago and my love for him has only grown through the years. Every time we're together in church he sits beside me, wraps his arms around me and whispers "I love you so much!" I love to think that my Honey in heaven is sending his love to me through Owen to pass on to me. I feel it every time I see him.

"Unlimited possibilities" -- that's who we all are as children of God, because "ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD!"

God FIRST

Day 12 of Photo Inspirations -- God FIRST
After 23 days of Christmas, New Year's and 2015 Unstoppable Summit celebrations, inspirations and packed-full-of-joy-and-excitement, I'm at last home-sweet-home in Tulsa. It's always great to go.....and then be back home again.

I must say that I've had the time of my life with my family -- lots of "kid" fun with ALL of my six grandchildren, and the big finale of this weekend's leadership summit has definitely kicked me in gear for, what I believe will be, one of the best, most blessed years of my life.

Why not believe that way? That's what God wants us to do. When we give Him FIRST PLACE above all and everything else, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts. That's my resolution for this year. Give Him the FIRST of my day in time with Him in quiet moments of just Him and me; give Him the FIRST of my week as I attend church with others to give Him worship and praise; give Him the FIRST of my month as I give Him my tithes and offerings, and give Him the FIRST of my year as I seek Him for His plans and purposes for my life. "But seek FIRST the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33

When we put God FIRST -- everything else will fall into its proper place.
‪#‎FirstPlace‬ ‪#‎SeekHimFirst‬