faith

It Is Our Story To Tell

/ The WheatandTares

“…that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:19-21

I have a friend who is dealing with the pain and agony of cancer that has spread across her body. Last month, I was notified of a friend who lost her 16 year old son in a house fire. Just last week, I ran across a FB post from a past church member who lost his wife tragically in a car wreck. It seems more and more I hear of friends going through a divorce, family members who are faced with illnesses and children who are lost and undone.

These stories hit close to home. I am a wife. I have a 15 year old and an 11 year old. Living is hard sometimes, and I find myself wondering why it’s so sorrowful at times. Yet, these tragedies make me realize so many around me are hurting. These moments of grief remind me that we weren’t made for this. We weren’t meant for these illnesses, these tragedies, this death. We are here but for a season…  

This world is dying for peace, for healing and for love. If we will just look around us, we will see so many hurting souls right in front of us. Christ came to this earth that their stories might end differently. The story of Christ’s birth, life, death and resurrection are the very thing that can bring healing to their brokenness. These details don’t somehow miraculously make all things perfect. This account doesn’t instantly change your circumstance or your plight.

Yet, when you find Jesus, and you believe in Him, He does one special thing for you. He brings you HOPE. Hope to face the storm and come out on the other side. Hope to face one more day. Hope to see the sun on the horizon. Hope to breathe again. Hope to live beyond this current life.

His story is one of HOPE, and if we know Him, we should be sharing this with everyone we meet. You never know, that person beside you might very well need it the most!

We Never Know

/ The WheatandTares / 1 Comment

We have no guarantees. We have no promises of long life and happiness in this earthly life. Not one of us can predict what tomorrow might bring.

I read a post today about a friend who lost her sister in a tragic accident. She was a wife of 14 years and a mom to four children still at home. Talked to a young man yesterday who lost his mom 7 seven years ago; he’s just a teenager. Another friend is grieving the loss of her 16 year old who was lost in a house fire last month. Tragedy surrounds us everyday, and we may never know what someone is going through unless they share their story.

Sometimes, especially in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we can get so busy with our ‘to do’ lists, our shopping needs and our holiday parties that we fail to see the hurting who may be standing right next to us. You know, the waiter who seemed to not care about whether you enjoyed your meal today? Maybe she just lost her mom last week, and she’d rather escape responsibilities right now; however, she has to work to pay the bills. The cashier who seemed mad that you were even in her line? Maybe she’s struggling through a divorce and won’t get to see her kids on Christmas Day, because the judge granted visitation to dad this holiday. Or the father in the grocery aisle looking lost and confused, who just won’t get out of your way? Maybe he is distracted, because his beautiful wife of 10 years is lying in a hospital bed suffering from an incurable disease, but he’s here, searching for the cereal that his four year old so wants for breakfast.

The promise of our Savior is one of Hope. Isaiah told us He would be called Wonderful, Counselor, a Mighty God, the Prince of Peace, and He is all of this and SO much more!  I have to ask, “Are we sharing Him with the world around us this Christmas?” Are we looking for those in need and taking the time to listen to their stories?

We never know the stories unless they share them with us. Yet, if we will open our eyes and listen to His voice, sometimes, He will bring them right in front of us. Just a smile, an encouraging word, a helping hand might help them make it through another day. God could have placed them in your path for you to see; so, you could share your story…because you are someone who has found the Hope they desperately need.

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Let us not just be a great church who sits on a hill looking lovely and singing beautiful songs. Let it be our ambition to reach this community, to share the love of Christ to the unloveable and to proclaim His Hope to the hopeless. Let us share our story that has found love and grace and Hope in the only One True God.

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Fear Not

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

An angel appeared to Zechariah and told him to not be afraid for his wife would bear a child in her old age. The angel, Gabriel,  appeared to Mary and said, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” Angels appeared to the shepherds out in the fields … “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'” (Luke2:8-11) An angel appeared to Joseph in his dream and told him to not be afraid. 

It seems to be an overriding theme throughout the birth and even life of Christ: Fear Not. Now, so many years past, He still reminds us through Scripture today to fear not. If you’re not personally familiar with Him, you might ask, “Why?”

Prophecies declared He would be the Savior. Angels proclaimed He was Lord. The wise men professed He was King. Scripture reminds us He is our Hope, our Light for darkened times. Throughout the story of Christ, He is the Hope to the nations and the Light of the world, and many who foretold of Him also spoke of the words, “Fear Not.” When you have Hope, you no longer have fear, and when you are in darkness, and you find the light, you no longer fear. 

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That is what Christ does for your life! He brings you Light in a darkened world, and He is the guiding Light that will direct your path. He brings you Hope, regardless, the circumstances you may face; so, you might have peace that surpasses all understanding. 

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As we enter this Christmas season, I encourage you to read the Christmas story again. Maybe you read it a long time ago, maybe you’ve never read it before in your life. I challenge you to pay attention to these two themes and see if they speak to you as they did me. Maybe you’ll take it a step further and look a little deeper throughout Scripture at what He says about not being afraid. Just try it. You may be amazed at what (and Who) you find. 😉

Just Roll With It

/ The WheatandTares

“Roll With The Punches” … Definition: term is used to explain how boxers will often angle themselves in certain ways to help lessen the impact of incoming blows. 

Sometimes, you just roll with the punches. You know what I mean, don’t you? Things just keep piling up, and there seems to be no end to the “punches” that life is doling out. There seems to be no relief to the amount of “adulting” we have to endure. 

I have found there are times when “the rain just won’t let up,” or “”the hits just keep coming,” and if you’re going to survive, you’re just gonna have to roll with it or DIE! You have to make a decision in that moment. Are you going to give up and quit, or are you going to dig in for one more round, one more punch, one more hard blow before the bell rings? 

As Christians, we’re called to roll with the punches. We’re encouraged to endure till the end. We’re to finish the fight, complete the race, and finish it well. Acts 20:24, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Romans 5:3-5 tells us, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Finally, Hebrews 12:1 reminds us, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” 

Our ‘commission’ from God to endure, to persevere is not simply so we can suffer through hardships, and it’s not just so we can prove to the next person how tough and strong we are. No, we are encouraged by God to finish so that we might be a witness for Him. 

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We are stirred to continue on so that we might share our story with others and they might see Him through our faithfulness. We are inspired to remain steadfast, regardless of the obstacles or the hinderances, in order to inspire someone else along the way that they might see His goodness, His love and His grace. After all, this earthly home is not our destiny, this is just a season. We have an eternal home to which we look forward with desirous anticipation! 

So, get up! Dust off those gloves. Get that grit back in your eyes. Get ready to swing, and roll with those punches! He will give us strength for each and everything we encounter. He will never leave us nor forsake us, and He will always fight for us! With God by our side, we cannot lose!! 

Fight and Win!

/ The WheatandTares / 1 Comment

Do you ever feel unworthy? Like you don’t quite measure up? Like you’ll never be good enough for anything or anybody? 

Can I tell you these are all lies from the PIT OF HELL? Don’t ever allow the devil to convince you these statements are even remotely true! Honestly, I know exactly how you feel. I have been there. I have battled those thoughts, and sometimes, it can be a daily battle that I still fight. 

The Bible says, “…your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) He is a sworn enemy of God and of everyone who serves God. He is constantly seeking ways to devour God’s people. He knows your weaknesses. He knows your struggles, feelings of inferiority, rejection, failure and shame. He works strategies to pull you down, to hinder you from your purpose, and to ultimately destroy you. Don’t let him have his way with your heart and mind. Fight back!


Often, what we fail to realize with this Scripture is the scriptures before and after: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

When we humble ourselves before God, cast all our cares on Him, remain sober and alert, looking for the devil’s schemes, and we resist him when he comes around, we are better able to fight those thoughts and feelings of unworthiness and worthlessness. No, we’re never worthy in our own righteousness, but when we are a child of the King, He makes us worthy. No, we are not worthless, because through Christ we are made joint heirs with Him, which means we are full of worth! 

So, if you’re struggling with feelings of inferiority, insecurity or rejection today, I encourage you to look up! Look to Jesus. If you don’t know Him yet, just say His name. Pull out a Bible and see what He has to say about you. (Try Psalm 139 for starters.😉) Trust Him and simply believe. If you do know Him; then, pick up that Word, find you a Scripture and stand on it! Fight those thoughts and feelings with the sword of the Spirit and the shield of faith which He has given you! You can do this! He is on Your side, and if God be for you, then who can be against you (Romans 8:31) 😉 WIN!!

For Unto Us

/ The WheatandTares


This Scripture is used in a song that I was listening to the other day, and as I sang along, I was overwhelmed with emotion. My son asked, “Mom, are you crying? … Why?” The tightening of my throat caused me to not be able to answer for a few seconds, and then I was able to explain to Him why my eyes had welled up with tears. 

You see, I believe in a God who left His heavenly home to come to earth and dwell among us. He didn’t do this because He had to, He did this because He loves me, and He loves you. He left all the glory of heaven to become a baby, to grow into a boy and then a man who would suffer and die for us so that we might be able to join Him again in eternal life. 

It says, “…the government shall rest upon His shoulder…” That means, I don’t have to worry about what’s going on in this crazy world around me, for my God is a Mighty God and He is in control! It says, “…His name shall be called … Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” I don’t have to look for a temporary god to help me, I serve a God who was and is and is to come! I don’t have to worry or fret when there’s chaos all around for my God is the Prince of Peace.

I am so thankful today to be serving a God upon whom I can lean, in whom I can trust, in whom I have a Savior, a King and the Prince of Peace! He IS Wonderful!

 Can you say the same thing about Him today? I encourage you, just try Him. You won’t be disappointed! 

What Makes A Hero?

/ The WheatandTares

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Often, there are many opinions of what makes a person a hero? It can be because a life was, literally, saved from fire, danger or even death. Or maybe a life wasn’t physically saved, but metaphorically, if the “hero” hadn’t stepped in, a life would have been utterly destroyed. Or maybe, to some, their hero is just simply someone who means so much that if that person wasn’t around, life just wouldn’t be the same.

There are so many different definitions and thoughts on the subject that I cannot claim to be an expert. However, I’d like to share a little of what I have learned about heroes and the character it takes to become a hero…

A hero brings HOPE to the desperate and broken. He steps in when everyone else steps out. He breaths life into what seems to be dead. He speaks words of life where there may have been hopelessness.

A hero brings INSPIRATION to the fearful and doubting. She causes the perspective to change. She instills faith where doubt once prevailed. She motivates words into actions. She makes an impact right where she lives.

A hero brings STRENGTH to the weak and powerless. He produces belief in self, in others, in mankind and in a higher being. He stirs an ability in others to stand strong, to endure and to never give up. He instills confidence that “Everything is going to be alright.”

I am so thankful to serve a God who can easily be called my hero. This is not a cliché. It’s not a punchline. I don’t say it even because it sounds cute or could work well as a bumper sticker slogan.


I say it, because I have found this to be true. He IS my HERO. He brings me HOPE. He brings me INSPIRATION. He brings me STRENGTH, and so much more! He is all I need every time I need Him. I have found when I have Him, I don’t need a bottle. I don’t need a pill. I don’t need a person, program or a progression of steps to make it through the storm. He is Alpha, Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is my Prince of Peace, my Counselor, my Comforter, my Refuge, my Strength, my Everything. He is ALL I need!! 

Who’s YOUR hero today? Can you honestly attest that he/she all you need?

 

*Cool (extra) note: Did you notice what the first letter of each word spelled out? HIS … I am HIS, and He is all I need! 😉

Happy Thanksgiving 2016!

/ The WheatandTares

It’s hard to believe it’s that time of year again. Time to pull out the turkey and dressing, all the fixin’s and indulge just a little more on those pecan and apple pies! Yet, I wonder, sometimes, if we fail to remember the real reason for this Thanksgiving season. It’s to give thanks, not only for the delicious food we have but for the people in our lives who mean so much.

Let us look beyond the table today and see who sits across the way. Let’s remember to thank our God, our parents, our spouse, and our families for their love and support. May we remember our friends who have helped us along the way and those who have gone the extra mile when we needed them to stay. May we remember even those who might not be present but who have made an impact on our lives throughout the years.

Let us, also, remember those who might not be at the table but who do so much to keep us safe and secure in this world of uncertain times. Let’s remember to thank the men in blue, the men and women who serve in the armed forces and all those who sacrifice so much to ensure our freedoms in this great nation we call home. May we extend a welcome, a thank you, a heartfelt note of gratitude for all they do.

Last, but not least, may we remember those who don’t have what we have. May we reach beyond our homes and beyond our comfort zones and lend a helping hand that those who don’t have so much for which to say, “Thanks,” can one day turn around and lend the same helping hand to show their thankfulness. May we allow our hearts of gratitude to become an act of love and support for them.

On this wonderful day of Thanksgiving, I say, “THANK YOU to all who have been such a blessing to me. Thank you for your love, support and prayers. No matter if your impact has been as deep as my husband’s and my sons’ or if it’s a little lighter as I am just getting to know you, you each hold a piece of my heart, and without you, I would not be who I am today. For you, I am forever grateful. ❤

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Candy, Anyone?

/ The WheatandTares

Be soft … not fluffy … not squishy … not not brittle … not chewy … and not hard. 

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Cotton candy is fluffy. It really has no substance, no depth, no strength of taste. It’s just super sweet and evaporates rather quickly. Marshmallows are squishy. They are great in hot chocolate or melted in s’mores, but they are so squishy and weak on flavor, it’s hard to eat more than one or two. 

Now, peanut brittle can be rather tasty, but it’s so brittle (pun intended), breakable and cracks so easily, it can leave behind an incredible mess. On the other hand, caramel can be rather chewy and filling, except it’s so sticky, if you’re not careful, it might just remove a filling! Once it’s stuck to something, it can be very hard to remove. 

Hard candies can be tasty, yet they can be so unbendable, unyielding that they can damage your teeth, and once hard candy is broken, the edges can be sharp and pointed, having dangerous edges, almost like glass. Some even like licorice, but it seems a little lacking in flavor and is so leathery and tough, there’s not much point in pondering long with it. 

However, chocolate seems to be a universal delight. Some of the most expensive “candies” are listed as chocolate. Chocolate is smooth, soft, and pliable. It is known to be the “candy” that brings about good feelings and will uplift a mood. 

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Chocolate can be both diverse and traditional. It is incredibly tasty and can have an endless number of things added to it to even enhance its flavor. Chocolate can be thick and powerful, or it can be creamy and comforting. It can be consumed in large quantities or tiny little bites, either way, the feelings of warmth and happiness remains the same. Chocolate has been said to be a taste that can touch the very soul of a person. Simply put, chocolate is very hard for most to live without. 

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Have you ever looked at a piece of candy and compared yourself? If you were to choose a piece of candy from this list, which might you choose? If you had to compare one of these to your own personality, your attitude and your life story, which might it be? 

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Let us always seek to be soft in words rather than hard, smooth in action rather rough and leatherlike. May our lives be known as smooth and delightful, comforting and strong, making a powerful impact wherever we go, such an impact that those around would pay a high price just to have one moment with us. 

Let us always seek to touch the soul instead of the heart, because the soul is the depth of the sea, but the heart can change like the tide. For, Jeremiah reminds us, “Deceptive above all things is the human heart.” May we always seek to be the one thing which it’s hard to live without. 

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What Do You Do?

/ The WheatandTares

proverbs3_5-6What do you do when the answers don’t seem to be clear? Do you throw a temper tantrum and shake your fist at the sky? Do you cry and feel broken, believing the light of day will never come? Do you grow cold and callous, convinced He never cared anyway?

Those of you who are parents, do you jump for joy when your child’s response is in any of these ways? Is this the way we want them to react when life doesn’t go their way? By all means, no. Then, why, oh why do we respond to the Creator of the Universe as if we are spoiled or rebellious youngsters?

Believe me, I’m “preaching to the choir” here. I’ve been guilty. I’ve sulked. I’ve whimpered and whined. I’ve even been known to throw a temper tantrum here and there (hopefully, not too many of you saw that one! 🙄)

Yet, the great thing about the God we serve is HE STILL LOVES US when we haven’t reacted the way we should to what we deem as unfair. He still cares when we feel disheartened and broken and when we’ve shown our immaturity. He still loves us WHEN WE DON’T DESERVE IT! 😉

He is a GOOD God, and He loves us SO much. Sometimes, He doesn’t answer for our own good. Sometimes, we can’t hear, because our ears are plugged, and we need to clear some debris. Sometimes, He has us wait; so, He can finish a work He began.

Regardless of the reason, why don’t we treat Him as we’d like our children to respond to us when we have to say, “No,” or when we have to delay with our response. Why don’t we respond to Him with the same love He is sending to us? 😉