Yes, you!

I have called you.

For such a time as this.
There is no mistake.
I knew all along.
I called you by name.
I came, I gave, all with you in mind.
You were on my mind.
You were planted in my heart.
You have been there since forever.
In the beginning of time, I knew you.
Never will there be another like you.
No one else can fill your shoes.
No one else can be what I have made you to be.

It's ok.
It's all ok.
You're with Me.
I'm with you everywhere you go.
I never let go.
I never give up.
I never, never, never, forget you.
No never.

I see you now.
I love you more than you know.
My hands outstretched.
My heart is yours.
My life, I gave for you.
Yes, just you.

You have purpose.
I call you to come
Come, go with Me.
Everyday...all day...

You are equipped.
I am with you.
I lead.
I guide.
Yes.
For such a time as this.

Monsters!

There are monsters.
 Sometimes they hide in the closet..or under the bed. Sometimes they don't even hide - those blatant, rude,  intruders. Sometimes it's right in the middle of the day, with no one in sight, and their voices interrupt my thoughts and peace of mind...trying to scare me witless.

'The nerve! Just when I am brave and nothing can scare me.... "Boo," just like that. As old (or young) as I am, I would think the days of scary monsters would be over....but, no.
They don't seem to want to give up. They seem to have all this time on their hands to investigate and delve into my secrets. For example,
I'm lying in bed...just getting ready to go to sleep and all of a sudden one of these monsters climbs up on my bed and whispers something. It may be just one little thing...then I can't sleep. Sometimes, I'm driving - usually in the city, and monsters climb in the back seat with their crude remarks about my ability to drive.

There was the day I was supposed to give a presentation in front of a relativeley small audience.Now, I've been speaking in front of people for a long time. The night before my speech, I went to bed and tried to sleep. This monster rose up on my bed. "What are you going to say?" "It's going to be horrible and everybody's going laugh." "You can't speak in front of people...you're going to freeze and make stupid sounds."(Note: not even words...he said, I would be a babbling idiot).

I could be singing along, baking cookies or taking a walk. All of a sudden they sneak up on me and whisper stupid stuff....stuff that hasn't happened - 'but it could'.

 I used to sit and cry. I used to pull the covers over my head and wish them away. Those monsters used to torment me till I could do nothing right. I couldn't even look in the mirror without their taunting.

Yeah, there are still monsters.

BUT!
I have One over on them. 'Stupid monsters. Sure, they still try to trip me up. Like I said, they don't give up. Sometimes, they try really hard and I stumble...look over my shoulder; or have to stop and catch my breath, while chills run up my spine.

Sometimes, I'm not as quick as I should be, but I'm so much better than I used to be. I had some "Dealing with Monsters" training. 

First, I got to know the Master Monster Terminator. I spend time with Him and have learned some pretty amazing things. Since I know Him, I can remind the monsters that Master Monster Terminator has their numbers - (He smashed the main monster years ago) and they turn and run. Master Monster Terminator has trained me with His Master Terminator weapons - and if I use the weapons when the monsters come around, they have to flee!

Sure, there are monsters....and they don't give up. But, they are pretty stupid to mess with Master Monster Terminator and His followers.


  The Bible says, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers and rulers and spiritual wickedness in high places. We must put on the whole armor of God...pray always and watch, diligently. Jesus took the keys from death and darkness. He gave us the victory!

Say Yes!

What would happen if we said 'yes' to everything God wanted us to do?

Recently, I attended a webinar hosted by Bill Myers. He is an author who didn't want to write. He said his worst grades were in Writing where he had Cs and Ds. He prayed and told God he could do anything but write.   But, he also told God he would always say 'yes' to anything He wanted him to do. God knew the hidden talent Bill had. He has now sold over five million books and is a film director and producer. He influenced Christian film with his animated, 'McGee and Me Adventures'.

I came away from the webinar thinking about my life. I said 'yes' to God years ago. I also told Him I would do whatever He wanted me to do. My life is so small, in my eyes...no where near Bill Myers. Yet, I know...we are all important in the puzzle of life.

What God wants me to do, doesn't always match what I think I should be doing. Sometimes He wants me to go places I wouldn't choose to go! Sometimes He calls me to step out into unknown territory. That's the adventure of a Christian life. We walk by faith and not by sight.

I remember a time God spoke to my heart and told me to pray for someone, who was famous in Christian ministry - in person! Ha! I thought. How was that going to happen? How was I going to pray in person with him. But, it happened. I was at his concert and God made a way for me to go backstage...we met and I prayed for him. Later, I found out, he was struggling with depression. God made the way and gave me the boldness I needed.

Sometimes, the doors WE want opened, aren't the ones He has in mind. I have heard myself say, "I could do this or this God...but not that or that..." I've learned never to say never. In my young mind I was going to live the city life! I live in rural America. He has a purpose and a plan. I have lived here for twenty years - married an attorney turned rancher...'looks like 'rural' is where I'll be!

Writing is another idea He has. I thought I would teach/be in the classroom forever.  But, whatever He has in mind for my writing; it is what He has called me to do at this time in my life. I love it. I know it is what I am to do.

If He calls us to do something, He gives us the desire. I have this driving force to write - like Stephen King says (that is where similarities end). Jerry Jenkins says it, too. "You write, because you just have to." I have always enjoyed writing and have written ever since I can remember- just for me - journals, stories.  Now it is what I do....for Him. It is humbling. I must get before my Father everyday and say, even though there is this driving desire to write -  'give me the words, Lord'.  Writing is my desire. The Word of God says He will give us the desires of our heart. As our hearts tune in with His heart...our desires become His. It is a great place to be. Is it easy? Only in Him and because of Him. Would I have it any other way? No. There is peace and joy being in His will. There is no other way.