Become a Miracle- Nick & Kanae

   When I reflect on the "restoration of women", I am reminded that the "restoration of men" goes hand in hand.  A beautiful picture of a restored life in Christ is through the ministry of Nick Vujicic. Known for his organization: "Life Without Limbs", this 29 year old Aussie is making waves all across the globe! I was able to meet him at a conference in Edmonton, Alberta recently and hear a powerful message from this mighty man of God. He talked about his faith in Christ which gives him hope, purpose and meaning for the journey. While he will be completely restored in heaven (mind/body/spirit), he focuses on his current identity and relationship with God where He is "whole". Standing on the stage without arms or legs and talking about being a soldier for God was a powerful message of what strength really is. He preached on putting on the full armor of God which are disciplines and characteristcs of the unseen world to help us fight the good fight.  

"The Joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

   As he ended his talk, he asked for prayer as he was getting married to Kanae Miyahara in California this month. After hearing his heart for this next chapter of his life, I was touched by his humility. He knew that once he became a husband, he needed to shift gears and make sure his priorities were aligned. His wife, his love and devotion to her would be/should be his first ministry. 

It's a beautiful thing for his prayer to be answered in becoming a husband. Another prayer for him would be to become a father. In the meantime as he awaits the answer to that prayer, he has already become a spiritual father to countless people around the world because of his life witness. Pray for Nick as he seeks to be the husband God expects of him: To love his wife as Christ loves the Church. What is the mark of a strong man? One who humbles himself and loves/serves/protects the bride with whome he is blessed with. God had a plan for his life. Nick has addressed over three million people in 25 countries. As he awaits his full miracle, he became one.  What miracle are you waiting for? 

 www.lifewithoutlimbs.org     One of Nicks videos: "Something more":

The Call to Engage

In my first attempt at writing a book, I find myself gravitating towards the analogy of the armed forces when it comes to our faith journey. Here is a glimpse of my writing  from  Chapter 3: "What? Me a Solider?"

Thump thump, thump thump, thump thump… Do you hear His heart pounding?

   God is calling us to rise up and respond to the beat of His heart. When I listen closely, I hear Him say to me:

 I love you! I have a purpose and a plan for your life. Trust Me. Don’t be afraid, I’ve created you for great and mighty things! I need you to engage dear one. The world is waiting for you to step into your call. Choose faith, not fear. Choose Me, not the world to define you. You bear My image just as much as man does. I have created you to walk alongside men for the spiritual protection of your home, church and community in which you live! But daughter, you need to engage. Don’t think for one second that you are not needed in My army. Daughter! I did not create you to sit on the sidelines or in a place of woundedness. Likewise, I did not choose you to reflect me on the earth to simply sit on the fence. I’ve called you to be strong in Me no matter the circumstances you find yourself in. Trust Me, follow Me…engage! 

     We aren’t forced against our will to engage—we are called.  When I chose Christ, I came to realize He had already chosen me.  I simply responded with my “yes” to His call. One where I’d hear the beat of His heart throughout my formative years, but failed to abandon myself to it until my mid twenties...  

   

   Writing has become a healing, cathartic and energizing discipline all in one full swoop. From what I am learning though, it's 80% editing!  The rest of my 4500 word chapter (along with the other 17) is tucked away on my memory stick, Drop Box and my Mac's Time Capsule for safe keeping! As the book continues to take shape, I am challenged to look at my own life and reflect- "Am I living what I am writing?" I pray so. 

   In that chapter, I talk about 4 types of soldiers: Sideliner Soldiers, Wounded Soldiers, Fence Sitting Soldiers, and Fully Engaged Soldiers.

  My prayer is that all women (and men), will rise up and engage in God's plans for restoration. Envisioning myself as a strong confident feminine soldier for Christ (on my good days!) frames my worldview for revival, restoration and likewise gender reconciliation. The world doesn't need spiritual woosies. There's a call for us to hear God's voice and respond to His call. 


Regardless if He's calling you to serve, give, pray, lead, fight hard for justice or bask in the stillness... the most important thing is this: Do we hear His voice? Do we hear His heart pounding? It's possible with Jesus at our side drawing us close to the Father. As we depend on God, the world is depending on us.  It's time to engage. 

                                                       

                         

Mothers and Daughters of Influence

   

     Nature walks, cake pops, and giggling girlies in pj pampering parties... This weekend I had the awesome privilege of speaking at a mother/daughter retreat. There is something very special when moms and their girls can pull away from hectic schedules and spend some unhurried time together! Busyness robs families from the special bonds we were created to have. You don't necessarily have to come to a retreat in order to reclaim your focus and relationships, but they sure do promote renewal and restoration!   Moms have pretty unique needs and daughters have their fair share of challenges too. Bring them together for a focused time together and a beautiful thing unravels. Empathy, compassion, and respect for each other grows deep in such a short time...To laugh, eat, play, serve,worship and learn together is something we all need to do more as moms and daughters.  
    My theme for the weekend was being a Woman of Influence. I spoke of the importance of "Living by Faith", "Walking in Love" and "Affirming the Call." Women (of all ages) can have an incredible influence in this world, but it begins first in the heart, then extends to the home which seeks to infiltrate the world. Question is, are we using our influence for good or evil?   I feel that the most important lesson in the weekend is that of seeing yourself first as a daughter of the "most high God" no matter what age you are.  To be a positive influence in this world, we have to ask ourselves... "who is ultimately influencing us?" If the answer is Jesus, then look out... we've got some world changers about to be unleashed!  He gave His life for us! As a result, we can have faith that moves mountains, experience limitless love and receive keys to step more fully into our call. 


   One thing I continue to discover about myself is that I am wired to encourage and inspire others. I can't help it, I become more alive when I do! After one of my talks, I played the video "Pieces" as the moms and girls held onto a piece of ribbon. After the video, they walked up to the front and draped their ribbon onto an old wooden cross. The ribbon represented the pieces of their lives they need to simply trust Jesus with. Sometimes we hold on to things so tightly that it interferes with our relationship with God and with people. Be it controlling fears, painful memories, or even our dreams and hopes for the future, we gotta "let go and let God". When a mom trusts Jesus and lets go of her control, she is able to be the mom God created her to be. When her daughter is able to trust Jesus, she can finally stop striving and be at peace. Godly influence begins as we see ourselves as our Creator sees us.   By knowing Jesus personally as Savior and Lord,  we can say with confidence that God loves us and wants to pick up our pieces that lay scattered about. As His daughter, we were never meant to be whole without Him:) 
 Here's the video: Music by Krissy Nordhoff

  

Refusing To Be Hurried & Pressed

“Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace. If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit, which is life and peace. In that stillness you will know what His will is." - Amy Carmichael 1867-1951

          In the stillness, we can either find boredom, anxiety or incredible peace with God. It all depends on where we get our strength from in times of solace. Life never ceases to teach us if we are open to its lessons. Sometimes forcibly but more often gently, it should remind us to depend on God more in our lives.
   

      Thrilled for my daughter Jaclyn to have the opportunity to venture off with YWAM for 6 months. She is growing leaps and bounds in her faith as a result of this focused time. Although her training is incredible while undergoing a DTS (Discipleship Training School) in Maui and then serving in Bangladesh for 3 months, she still needs to discipline herself to find stillness each day. As her momma, I feel it's the greatest lesson she can learn as she embarks on this next phase of her post high school/pre-college journey. I desperately need to guard it in my life as well! 
     
      I've been reflecting on various history makers lately. Heeding the advice of missionaries like Amy Carmichael to "refuse to be hurried and pressed." Not that I'm being lazy, but I'm rediscovering that I'm most productive when surrounded by God's presence in the stillness. How?

• Priorities are  more clear as the spiritual fog lifts.  
• God's will becomes less confusing when peace prevails.
• Being single-hearted removes self erected idols in our lives.

      I think a great majority of people are bent to feel powerful when they are hurried and pressed. Like when you ask an acquaintance in passing how they are doing, and a common response is "Oh, I'm so busy!" as they huff and puff and wipe their brow in pride. In a warped sort of way, busyness has become a status symbol of our time. Why? How has busyness robbed millions of people from finding center. Perhaps it's because we are afraid to face the stillness. Maybe we are afraid to face our Creator? If so, maybe we are afraid to get in touch with our true self with Him. One that may struggle with faith and fear, sin and grace, and a desire for purpose, love, acceptance, security and significance. I believe that the enemy of our souls wants to keep us so incredible busy and "spiritually asleep" because he knows the powerful transformation that happens in that secret place. Amy Carmichael knew the importance of stillness. More than books, speakers, sermons or seminars, ... wisdom is imparted when we honor the presence of our Creator in our lives. Wisdom leads us into the deep stillness of the soul, for it is in that place we awaken and find life.

"Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act..."  

Psalm 37:7