"Woodlawn" Prize Pack Giveaway

 Winner of Contest:  Tracie Johnson
I am so excited to announce this Giveaway because I am a huge supporter of Faith-based films!  Grace Hill Media has been so generous to offer my readers a chance to win a prize pack of resources based on the new film, "Woodlawn" coming to theaters next weekend.

 Here’s the quick synopsis: From Pure Flix (GOD’S NOT DEAD, DO YOU BELIEVE?), Roma Downey and Mark Burnett (THE BIBLE, SON OF GOD) and the Erwin Brothers (MOM’S NIGHT OUT, OCTOBER BABY) comes WOODLAWN, an exhilarating high school football drama and remarkable true story of how love and unity overcame racism and hate in early 1970s Birmingham, Alabama. Starring Academy Award winner Jon Voight, Sean Astin, Nic Bishop and newcomer Caleb Castille, WOODLAWN depicts the spiritual awakening that captured the hearts of a team and unified an entire city. (Description taken from Grace Hill Media)

 The prize pack includes 3 books based on the film 
-WOODLAWN, by Todd Geralds, on which the movie is based.
-TOUCHDOWN TONY, by Tony Nathan, the autobiography of the superstar player on whose life the film is based.
-WHEN GOD SHOWS UP, by Robert Noland, a 40-day devotional tied to the themes of the film.

The winner will also receive a "Woodlawn" t-shirt :)

All you have to do is leave a comment here on my blog or on my Facebook page.  I will draw a winner on the release date of the film (October 16th).  I will only be able to ship within the US. 

Check out the Movie Trailer Below

Blessings and make sure you go see the film on opening weekend!

"Les Miserables (Focus on the Family Radio Theater)" Review

   I was so very excited when Tyndale offered "Les Miserables" (Focus on the Family Radio Theater) for review.  Tyndale provides me the resource complimentary and I in turn agree to write a review.  I have never officially read Victor Hugo's book, "Les Miserables", but I have seen the movie and most recently the movie musical of the book that was just released during Christmas, so I am familiar with the story of "Les Miserables".   For this review I am really not going to go into details about the story itself as I figure most people are familiar with it.  I too would let you know that this presentation was all story telling and not at all a musical (no songs).

   I know this story has appeal to a vast audience, but as a Christian the redemption of Jean Valjean's life would be enough for me to watch and listen to the story over and over again.  I am too saddened by Inspector Javert's determination not to accept and give mercy, but to die by the letter of the law.  Ok, I did say I would not go too much into detail about the story so I will stop here and continue reviewing the resource I was given by Tyndale :)

  Focus on the Family Radio Theater have several radio drama presentations, including "The Chronicles of Narnia" series.  I listened to all of the Narnia series and was impressed with the quality of the audio CDS.  So when offered the audio presentation of "Les Miserables" I didn't hesitate.  The quality of sound of "Les Miserables" was perfect.  I listened to all 3 cds in my car and I got lost in the story as I listened (don't worry not to lost that I didn't safely drive). 

   My favorite thing about the audio presentation was the acting itself.  The story and characters felt believable and as far as a radio presentation goes I thought the acting was really good.  Especially the actor that played the role of "Jean Valjean".   Overall, I loved the audio presentation and felt the actors did a fine job, but I did get a bit distracted as in my mind some of the actors sounded "older" than what I pictured the characters to be.  IE: The actress that played "Fantine" sounded like she was in her 30 to 40's and I pictured her being in her early twenties.  Again, it didn't really take away from the story, but sometimes people picture characters the way they want or know them to be from the actual story. 

   In conclusion, I highly recommend purchasing this CD set from Focus on the Family.  It would be a great resource for the family (use discretion with children because of mature subjects) to use while they are traveling in the car on vacation, or to use during a family story time as well.  It is a timeless story that can be told over and over again and never get old.

 Thank you Tyndale for giving me this resource.

The "Name"

Can you believe that a month has already gone by in 2o11? It is scary how time truly does fly (especially since I turned 40 this past November :) I surely was hoping to be a little more regular with my blog postings, but it seems that 2011 has been awfully busy so far, but today I have a moment and I wanted to get some thoughts organized into some kind of post.

Last month, I had the privilege of listening to several teachers/pastors via the web. The conference was the Passion 2011 in Atlanta. Now I don't live in Atlanta, but I was able to listen live during all the main sessions on the web. I listened to sessions from Francis Chan, John Piper and Louie Giglio. I was encouraged and challenged by all three of these sessions, but one session really stuck with me. It was Louie's message...

I will not be able to perfectly retell everything that Louie said, but the main point of his talk was to remind us that we (Christians) are representing the Name of Jesus. Louie mentioned that in today's society the word "Christian" doesn't really even stand out anymore. He is right, I see people today throw that word around very easily. Many people would call themselves a Christian just because they either go to church, or maybe they believe in God (without actually having a relationship with Him). Even in my own life when I tell people I am a Christian it really doesn't evoke a response from them.

On the other end of the spectrum when people hear the word "christian" they may think of people who have not represented Jesus they way Christians are called to do. They may think of Christians as "hypocrites" or they may have a vision of the many christian people that have "fallen from grace".

Louie also mentioned that today's society is OK when we talk about God, but it is a whole different story when we mention the name of Jesus. I find that statement to be true in my life as well. Mentioning the name of Jesus takes a conversation to the next level. I realize that I too do not always mention the name of Jesus when I am talking about spiritual things with others. I have to think that at times I may not specifically talk about Jesus because I know that mentioning the name of Jesus changes everything...

So after listening to Louie's message I was challenged with the question, "Am I representing Jesus the way I am called to-to a world that so desperately needs to know the One that can set them free???" I don't want to sink back and be afraid to talk about Jesus... He had given His all for me, and for me not to give my all to him is a sin.

Jesus, I need You... I love you, even though I know my love for you is still so little, but I know the more I seek to know You the more I will love You. The more I know you the less I will fear what people say and think of me. The world needs You!!! I need You... May I represent You the way you are to a world that so needs You Jesus ...

I leave you today with this question... How are you representing the name of Jesus????

Despicable Me

I really could have titled this post "Selfish Me", but since I just saw the movie "Despicable Me" not too long ago I decided to go with that movie title. Actually though, being selfish is kind of despicable.


Not so long ago, I posted a link to a video by Rachel Barkey (see link a couple posts down from this one). At the time she recorded the video she was dying of terminal cancer. I think Rachel died about 3-4 months after she recorded her video speech. Rachel's story blew me away, and I have rarely seen anyone like her. I now realize that is because I was seeing Jesus in her. As I listened to her talk, I saw beauty, peace and strength. Rachel said much that I will remember, but there was one part of her speech that really got to me, and actually prompted a change in my actions.

OK, so now is where the "selfish" word comes into play. One of the top sins that I struggle with is selfishness. I know to some extent we are all selfish, but for me I am really selfish. I often have said that of all my friends when it comes to being selfish (in parenting specifically) I would rate myself last, meaning that I am the most selfish parent of us all. NOT THAT I WOULD ACTUALLY TRY TO RATE MY FRIENDS AND HOW SELFISH THEY ARE :) I just use that example to prove a point that I am the most selfish of all. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, probably too much for their liking at times, but I know deep down in my heart that I choose myself over them way too many times.

Remember I said that Rachel said something that really got to me... During her speech she talked about how selfish she was. That surprised me... I mean, here is this beautiful young mother dying a painful death, and one thing she emphasized during her speech was how sinful she was, and how much she needed Jesus. I just didn't expect that...

During Rachel's speech she said that she has been selfish with her kids. She came to a point when she realized she was saying "no" to her children all the time, and it wasn't because it was the right thing to say no, but that she was being selfish. She talked about how when her kids would ask for a snack, she would say no because she didn't want to get the snack. When her kids would jump on the bed, she would tell them no because she didn't want to make the bed up again. She mentioned that she would say no to her children when they wanted to do some type of art project because she didn't want to take the time to do the project with them (listen to her story for exact details). She then sadly said that now she says "yes" a whole lot more, because she knew how short her time was with her kids. Rachel reminded her audience not to wait until it was too late.

I was convicted immediately... I realized that I say "no" a lot to my boys. Yes, there are times when a "no" answer is appropriate, but so many times I have told my boys "no" when they asked something of me because I didn't want to do whatever they asked. I didn't want to be bothered... When I get down to the heart issue in myself I find laziness and plain old selfishness.


We are not to be selfish...God has called us to be selfless and give to others in all kinds of ways. If I can't be selfless in my own home, how I am suppose to be selfless when it comes to the world I am to be reaching for Christ? I was so thankful for what Rachel said that day, and I actually started practicing saying yes to my kids and husband more. I am still trying to say yes more everyday.

The Lord has been doing a work in my life for a long time now when it comes to me being selfish. I still find that I have to fight tooth and nail to overcome my selfish ways, but I shudder to remember what I was like 10 years ago...Let's just say not good at all... However, it is when I look back 10 years ago that I see where Jesus has brought me today, and He gets all the credit for any change in me. I wouldn't have sought on my own to change...I thought I was doing OK...It was only when Jesus shined His light into my heart that I was faced with the ugliness of my selfishness...my sin...

Thank you Lord for helping me to change, and I know I need You more than ever to keep changing my heart so that it will reflect You more. That is my goal.

A Must See Video

I posted a link to this Video on my Facebook, but wanted to post it here too. About a week ago, I was listening to "Revive Our Hearts" radio program with Nancy Leigh DeMoss (I love this radio program). Nancy's guest that day was Rachel Barkey. Rachel Barkey had terminal cancer and she was dying. Rachel was a young mom in her mid thirties with 2 young children (husband too), and one of the last things she did was give a talk about what she learned through this whole experience.

It was heartbreaking to watch the video, but in the middle of all the pain Rachel shared about her relationship with Jesus, and how he had changed her life. I was challenged and encouraged by her testimony, and I actually made a change in my attitude that day in regards to my children and husband because of what Rachel shared.

I know we are all busy, but you will not regret one bit watching this video. Click on this link here, and you will be directed to the homepage. The video is right on the homepage for anyone to view. Come back and let me know if you watch the video and tell me what you thought about it. (FYI: The website is www.deathisnotdying.com)

"Jimmy" (Repost)

I decided to repost one of my old entries as it kind of goes along with my last 4 posts about sharing your faith... Plus, I don't have much on the old brain right now, so a repost will work fine...


I definitely paused when deciding whether or not to publish this post. Why? In the past, and sadly even today I have drawn attention to myself to get praise or feel affirmed by others. If you are reading this you know I decided to publish this entry :) I guess my hope in publishing the story is to challenge and encourage others that may act and think like me.

If you knew me, you would know how I struggle at times with being a walking contradiction. I don't like this about myself!!! My heart wants to do one thing, but my mind (and hang-ups) don't pursue the path of my heart. I could go on and on with giving you examples, but I will camp on one for today to explain what I mean.

One thing that really gets to my heart is the plight of the homeless. You know the people you run into everyday that hold up signs asking for help, work or food. Now I know not all people that hold up a sign asking for help are homeless, but I would figure that a good many of them are indeed homeless. Any time I come across someone that is asking for help or money I want to do something. Often I dig down deep into my purse to find some money, and in many cases I have given someone a dollar, or maybe five if I have it (between you and me, when I have money I could always give it).

I want to help so much more, but here is where my mind stops me, or shall I say my Fear stops me. I am just going to be honest here... Many times I am afraid to get close to what I call the homeless. Why? In short, the answer is my SIN. I think thoughts like, "What if they are sick?", or I take a look at them and see how dirty and sometimes, smelly they are, and I don't want to get to close out of fear of catching what I perceive or imagine they might have. I hate that part of myself!!! I want to love people, all people like Jesus did and does. I know I am no better, but my mind doesn't always go there with me. My heart just wants to help the homeless, and I just want to either hug them or love on them in someway, but I do not.

Recently, I have been challenged to tell the people I encounter in this way about Jesus. What good is $20.00 to someone who may not know Jesus at all? Someone that is lost and going to Hell. That is a big question I have been asked, and one that I have really been thinking about lately.

In the past I have said "God Bless You" to those that I have given money to. That is a good practice to tell people "God Bless You", but so many people, even non-Christians say "God Bless You", and in our society today it seems like it has become a catch phrase, something we say very casually without much thought to what the statement really means. I even thought that in radical cases people have even labeled themselves as gods.

A friend challenged me to ask strangers, which in this case would include the homeless, if they knew Jesus. Jesus does change everything. This has not always been easy for me, but it is something I have been convicted of in the past. OK, so I gave you all this back story to get to my real story (I hope you are still reading).

Yesterday, while in a supermarket parking lot I saw a man on a bicycle. I pretty much settled in my mind that he was homeless, or at least in a very extreme living position. From a distance, I saw him approach a woman heading to her car. Part of me wanted to help this man, but part of me wanted to hurry inside the store. I chose to hurry inside the store.

From what I saw I think the woman either ignored him or probably quickly gave him the "NO" answer to whatever he was asking her. He was not so close to me, so I thought I would make it inside the store without him seeing me.

I got out of my care and hurried to the doors, but just as quickly I heard someone behind me say "Excuse me." I knew who it was. I turned to see the man on the bike, and he asked me if I had a dollar so he could buy some sugar. I had never heard that one before, but I wanted to give him something, so I told him yes. I reached inside my bag and found a dollar and I gave it to him and he graciously told me thank you.

In that split second I was trying to think of something valuable to say to him. There was so much to say, but nothing came to me at first. The man then asked me my name, and I told him my name, and then I asked what his name was too. He said his name was Jimmy. He was smiling at me. Here is where I knew I needed to say more than "God Bless You", so I blurted out something like, "Jimmy do you know Jesus?". He replied something like, " Sure do-He's my friend-he's every body's friend."

I didn't exactly know what else to say, and I started to say something when I noticed that Jimmy started to cry, and he wiped his eyes. WOW, what an awesome moment that was for me. I can't remember exactly what my last words to Jimmy were, but after his tears I closed our conversation and told him goodbye.

I entered the supermarket feeling so many emotions. I fought back tears as I walked down the grocery store aisles. So many thoughts entered my head.
- I wished I had said more about Jesus.
-I prayed that Jesus would take my few words, and speak to Jimmy's heart.

One of the thoughts that buzzed through my mind was the fact that Jimmy asked for a dollar to buy sugar. What homeless person is going to buy sugar? I thought about how people say that many times when people are asking for money, that they will end up using it to buy drugs or alcohol instead of using it for what they really need. I have kind of adopted the belief that it doesn't really matter what they end up spending the money on. They will one day answer to God what they have done, but I just need to do as I feel led in situation like this one.

In this situation I did think Jimmy was lying, and that he probably would spend the money on something different. However, I didn't really care so much about that because I know Jesus can speak to Jimmy's heart if He chose to.

I got in line to purchase my item, and as I sat my item down I heard someone behind me say my name. I turned to see Jimmy in line behind me. Guess what he was holding? A big bag of ice, and a small box of SUGAR packets. He quickly showed me the sugar packets. I think in some way he showed me the sugar to prove to me he really did what he said he was going to do with that dollar of mine. You can imagine how humbled I felt in my heart at that moment.

I asked Jimmy what he wanted the sugar for, and he told me that he likes to drink ice tea. Me too... I wanted to do so much more to help, so I asked him if I could buy his two items. He told me that he got the sugar from the Dollar Store next door. He did that the minute I gave him the money. Humbled more.

I bought him the ice and he profusely thanked me. Jimmy's countenance looked cheerful. We talked a bit more. Jimmy asked me where I was headed and he told me where he would soon be going. I don't remember all we said, but I ended the conversation telling Jimmy that I would pray for him. Then I left the store.

I have a feeling Jimmy doesn't get talked to very often, or that he is probably isn't treated as if he matters much.

I don't want me sharing this story to come off as a look what I did story, because honestly I didn't do too much. My flesh wants to praise myself for doing a good deed, but my spirit rejoices that God used me in a small way to make Jimmy smile, and maybe even for a moment Jimmy didn't feel like an outcast.

God showed me something huge yesterday. Honestly, what are the chances that Jimmy would show up in a line behind me with a box of sugar in hand? Moments earlier I was thinking why didn't Jimmy come up with a better line than he wanted to buy a box of sugar. God was so gracious to me by allowing me to encounter Jimmy with that sugar. It just confirmed to me once again that I am not to worry about the results of what I feel God is leading me to do. I am just to obey.

I probably will never run into Jimmy again in my life, but I can rest assured that if Jesus is after Jimmy's heart heart than he will know it. I can also rest assured that God will use everyday events like this situation to humble and make more pure a wretched sinful heart like my own.

I have had a wonderful vacation so far with my family, but I think my experience with Jimmy will stay with me for a long time. It maybe one of my best memories from this year's vacation. Thank you God for meeting me and Jimmy in a supermarket parking lot.... YOU ARE GOOD!!!

God Showed Up at TGIF (Part 3)

I think today I will finally finish my story... we will see :)

If you want to read parts 1 and 2, just scroll down a little and you can be informed on what has happened so far...

So the story leaves off where my friends and I were thanking JR for listening to us (sharing the gospel). As things were winding down with JR, I was getting a little nervous about our time frame. Me and my two friends were due to meet two other women at the conference site at 6PM. Looking at my phone, I saw that it was around 5:30 PM. OK, here is where I need to tell another background story so you will know all the thoughts that were racing through my head.

My best friend and I (she is the one in this story who shared the gospel with JR) went to a Christian Women's conference together about 2 or 3 years ago. This event was huge, as I think there were 10,000 women in attendance (and more at a satellite site). Both my friend and I have had the wonderful opportunity over the last 1o years to go to many different Christian conferences, many of them we attended together. I would say that both of us had always gleaned something from every conference we have been too. Actually, a few of the conferences I attended were huge turning points for me in my walk with Jesus... spiritual markers.

I will speak for myself here, in the beginning when I started going to Christian conferences they were like major events...like a spiritual shots in the arm. I had a lot of expectation when I went to the conferences that I wanted to come away totally a different person...totally changed for Christ. As I have matured, now I see I put too much expectation on what the conference would do for me... The conferences should have been encouragement along the way, not my main source of change. My daily relationship with Christ should be where the most change happens.

By the time I went to this conference with my friend I had a better understanding of what I should expect from a conference. I wanted to listen to see if God wanted to show me something during my time at the conference. BUT I still did have my little ideas about how things should be at the conference... I wanted to be on time for sure. I wanted to sit close so I could really engage with worship and the speakers.... I just wanted to have the perfect little conference experience. However, this time I would have a bit of a wake up call.


First of all, my friend and I were running a little late to the conference, and as you can imagine a conference that was sold out with 10,000 women in attendance would cause a little bit of traffic congestion. So on the outside I am playing it cool, but on the inside I am a little stressed. In my head I am thinking..."there goes our good seats". My friend and I press on, and finally find a parking spot. Things are good now.

However, as we are walking to the conference center entrance my friend and I come across a homeless man. AHHH... this is where things get a little tough. You see I have such a heart anytime I see someone that is homeless or asking for help or money. My heart is always drawn deeply to do something. Sadly, fear and not knowing what to do has kept me from helping more times than I liked to admit.

There were many women still on their way into the conference, my friend and I included, and we walked right past this man into our happy little arena filled with brothers and sisters in Christ. As I walked by, both my friend and I were convicted that we should stop and talk with him, but we just didn't know exactly what to do. Also, in my head the conference had already started and I didn't want to miss any of it.

Right here, I will say that I don't know that there were not other women that day that stopped and talked with the homeless man, but from my viewpoint and that of my friend all we saw were a bunch of Christian women (us included) that were passing this man by so that we could go to a Christian conference and learn more about Jesus. Something was wrong.

My friend and I entered the door of the arena, and I think we went straight to the restroom. I could hear that the worship had already begun, so we were late. However, the weight of what my friend and I just did...walk by a man who needed help and needed Jesus... was heavy on us both. I think my friend said something about how ironic it was that all of these women are here to go to a Christian conference, and yet we all walk by and don't share the love of Christ with this hurting soul outside (paraphrasing). I so agreed in my heart.

I then asked my friend if she wanted to go back outside and talk with him. She quickly agreed and we both went outside to talk to the unknown homeless man. Nervously, we approached the man and talked with him for awhile. I wish I could remember everything that was said, but basically we told the man about Jesus. He told us he did know Jesus, but he has just been in a bad place for a long time. We encouraged him as could, and we even prayed with him. I don't know what that experience did for that man...I don't know where he is today, but according to his reaction that night I do believe that he felt Jesus loved him and didn't forget him...even in a sea of 10,000 women.

My friend and I went back into the conference and we were really late by this time... We had to sit at the tippy top of the arena...I mean tippy top, we were the last row of seats. We were way high up, and both of us probably didn't engage with the speakers as we might have if we were closer, but there was something in us that day that was filled with joy because of our experience with the man outside.

I tell this story not to "toot" my own horn... to brag that my friend and I witnessed to the man when no one else would. Maybe that man was put there by God that night just so my friend and I would be challenged to step outside of our comfort zone and practice what we had been preaching.

That night my friend showed me that it was not about us going to a conference to get our spiritual tanks filled up, but that the experience with the man is what it was all about...living out what we have been taught at all those conferences. It didn't matter that we were late and missed all of worship, and it didn't matter that we had the worst seats in the house, but it did matter if we passed a man who needed to know the love of Christ in order to go get a good seat at a conference. God used my friend and a homeless man that night to open my closed eyes... I love Him and I love her too.

Alright, I guess there will be a part 4, but I promise part 4 will be short :)

God Showed Up at TGIF (Part 2)

This post, although titled differently is Part 2 of my last post. A disclaimer before I begin... The title of this post reads "God Showed Up..." In all reality God always shows up...He is always there, but sometimes I don't always sense His presence, but on this particular day I just knew His presence was near.

If you have not read my previous post, you probably should take a few minutes to do so...that way this post will make a little more sense. After my experience of giving out a gospel tract to the woman at the McDonald's Drive Thru, I knew that things needed to change with me being more bold in sharing my faith with strangers. I was so thankful that my friend challenged me by pushing me out of my comfort zone at McDonalds, but I knew this experience was only a small step on a very big ladder for me.

The day after my experience at McD's, my friend and I were headed to a Beth Moore conference in St. Louis. We were going to the conference with 3 other women from my Church. My friend and I were driving to St. Louis with one of the other women, and the other 2 were planning on meeting us in St. Louis.

My 2 friends and I arrived in St. Louis and checked into our hotel...we were hungry so we decided to go the TGIF that was located inside of the hotel. Our waiter was super outgoing, friendly, and adorable. Ok, I can say adorable because he was in his early 20's and I felt more like a mother figure to him. I noticed that our waiter, let's call him J.R. seemed to linger at our table longer than waiters normally do. I began to have a sense that this maybe one of those times God wanted me (and my friends) to tell JR about Him. Sensing this I began to ask JR questions about his life. JR was very forthcoming and really shared more detail about his life than I expected. Actually, he shared very personal things about his life. Once he really opened up about his life I felt convicted all the more that I (we) needed to tell JR about God.

JR had mentioned that one of his dreams was to be a singer. It was not too long after that, that I asked him to sing us a song. He quickly obliged. To our shock and enjoyment he sat down at our table and sang us a song he used to sing to his younger brother at bedtime. JR had a beautiful voice and we were quite impressed. My mind was racing, and pretty much after this I knew that I had to say something about God...This was an open door if I ever had seen one when it comes to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I forget all the details, but pretty much after JR sang I said something like "So JR, my friends and I are here to go to a Christian women's conference, so I just wanted to ask you, do you go to Church? He then said he did, and then I said something like, "Does your Church teach about Jesus?". He replied that he did know about Jesus, and then we talked a little more. Again, I so wish I remembered everything that I said, but I don't...but it wasn't too long after that JR said something about being a "good person". It was then, that I kicked (a light kick) my best friend (the one that challenged me to give a tract away at McDonalds) in the leg under the table. I wanted her to take over, and she is so smart that she realized what my kicking her meant.

My awesome friend, then went to work leading JR through some tough, but needed questions. She then was able to share with JR about what Jesus did for him on the Cross. I just knew that the Holy Spirit was working through her... The really cool thing is that I could sense that the Spirit was working in JR's heart too. It was almost as if I could see the wheels turning in JR's mind, as my friend shared the good news about Jesus. I think JR realized that it would take more than just being a "Good" person to get him to Jesus. JR responded so well, and he was so polite. I think he appreciated what we were sharing with him. My friend gave him a booklet that shared more information with him about being a Christian. I thanked JR for listening and told him that we were sharing this message with him because we care. I really think he believed us. I ended up even giving him a hug (that's me the hugger).

There is another really cool thing that happened that night at TGIF. If I tell it now, I need to give you a background story too, so I will end here for now, and continue with a Part 3 of this story soon.

I also want to say that I only shared what was going through my mind that night at TGIF. I am sure that each of my friends could write their own story as well.

Christina, if you read this please share what was going through your mind that night too.

Stay tuned for Part 3..

Pushed Out of My Comfort Zone (Part 1)

I have to break this story down into separate posts, or else I think readers will see the post and think too long and say goodbye :) I have to go back a little bit to set this post up so it will make more sense to you.

I was introduced to Jesus at the age of nine and this year I will be 40... This fact tells you that I have had knowledge of Jesus for about 30 years. I accepted Jesus as my Savior at age nine, but feel I really did not understand my decision of what it means to be a true follower of Christ until my 20's. BUT regardless of that fact, I have always known that as a Christian I should be sharing my faith on a regular basis. During the past 30 years I have shared my faith, but here and there, and not on a regular basis...not as Jesus would want me to.

Over the last 5 years I have been convicted of the fact that I don't share my faith with others...that I don't share the good news of the Gospel with others... If I get real honest with myself I would just have to admit that I am down right scared to share my faith boldly, and if I am even a little more honest with myself I have been ashamed to share my faith. The bible has much to say about those who are ashamed of Jesus, and it is not at all good...it is terrifying.

In the past I have put too much stock in the approach of sharing my faith only when asked about it by others, or else when there are those NEON FLASHING moments in life that tell me that this is a good time to tell whomever about Jesus. There have been instances in life where I have brought up God with others, but only once in awhile. Things needed to change in my life, and I really felt like the Lord was showing me my sin in the area of telling others about Him.

One TV program that helped me during this time was "The Way of the Master" hosted by Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron. I could probably write a whole long post about this show, but for time sake I will just say that God used this program to show me my lack of love for those who are dying and going to an eternity without the Lord...which is Hell. Wow, it is weird to use that word anymore...I don't hear people (even in the Christian circles) talking about Hell anymore...Even I don't like to say that word to people, but Hell is real, and a place that none of us want to go when we die.

I know there are some out there that think "The Way of the Master" approach is bold and it can turn people off, but the reality is that sometimes we have to be bold...and that may put people off... The Bible is clear too that many will reject Jesus...so we shouldn't be surprised when people reject Jesus...reject us.

There are those that say we should evangelize using "relationship evangelism" (build relationships with others first, then witness). I am not ruling out this approach at all, as there are those people that the Lord will put in our lives to build relationships with and hopefully they will come to Christ as we share our faith with them. BUT how many people do we come in contact with that we will never really have a chance to build a relationship with??? More than we could ever count... When I have my eyes open to this fact I see a whole world out there that I come in contact with daily (that is if I leave my house).

OK, all this to say the Lord has awakened me to my lack and sin in the area of sharing my faith, and He is awakening me to the world around me... I am only at the beginning stage, but my eyes have been opened to those around me that do not know Christ. I do know Him, and I have a responsibility to share what I know about Jesus... I don't have an excuse anymore...not like I ever did.

I knew that I couldn't keep this post short :) So I will wrap up here with an experience that happened to me a couple of weeks ago... My best friend came to see me from New York, and I will say that she also has been on a similar journey as myself with God opening her eyes to the fact that she should be sharing her faith as well. The only thing is that she has been on this journey a bit longer and the Lord has been challenging her to share her faith boldly. She has been pushing herself out of her comfort zone for the last couple of months when it comes to witnessing to others. She has really encouraged me in this area more than she knows.

A couple of weeks ago while she was visiting we went through a McDonald's Drive-Thru. As I paid the cashier I said something about witnessing to the cashier, and then my friend told me to give a tract to the employee at the next window (I already passed the cashier)... All of the sudden I just panicked and said that I couldn't...My friend then told me that I was going to do it... I had too (not in a bossy way, but in a down right challenging and convicting way)... As I waited to get to the second window, I realized how crazy I was acting... I knew my friend was right... I had to give that employee a tract...how could I be ashamed to give a simple tract to an employee??? I was afraid, and I knew that I had to do it. I mean, if I can't give a tract (publication with the message of Jesus on it) to a stranger, how would I ever actually have a conversation with someone about Jesus. I was convicted to the core, and although I was still nervous I gave the woman at the second window the tract. This was a turning point for me, and soon I would be challenged once again in the area of sharing my faith, only this time I would be doing more than just giving a tract away.

I will end for now, and pick up with Part 2 of my story titled, "God Shows Up at TGIF".

Are you up for a Challenge?

Hey Dear Bloggy Friends...

I have fallen a little short with my "Movie Monday" posts as of late, but I will soon pick that up again. I have seen some really good Christian movies, and would like to share that information with whomever would like to read it :)

But onto the reason for today's post. Last week I was listening to Nancy Leigh DeMoss on her Revive our Hearts Radio program. She had a guest on the show (Janet Pope) that had memorized 14 books of the Bible and over 100 specific chapters in various books of the Bible (that info is what I remember...not exact numbers). I was so inspired listening to Janet's story, and as her interview went on I could tell the effect that memorizing scripture has had on her life. The Word of God was truly living in her heart and had changed the way she lived.

It was so beautiful and amazing when Nancy asked Janet if should would quote certain chapters from the Bible. I don't even think Janet knew that Nancy was going to ask her to quote the chapters that she had learned from memory. I loved sitting there listening to Janet read..no not read... quote God's Word from her heart.

Last week's radio shows challenged me to do the same thing Janet did. The challenge is overwhelming and seems impossible for me, since my memory is not at good as it used be... I wondered how I would even be able to retain entire books of the Bible from memory, but I serve a miracle working God and all I can do is to step out and try. Well, Nancy's ministry had a challenge to memorize the entire book of Philippians (4 chapters) by the end of the year (I think it is by the end of the year), so I decided to take the challenge. Not only did I decide to take the challenge, but I asked my best friend is she wanted to memorize the book of Philippians with me, and she was more than happy to join me in this task :)

My friend and I are well on our way to memorizing chapter one of Philippians. It has been such a blessing to try to memorize God's Word in this way (whole passages). I am praying that what I memorize will stick with me, and not fade away...more than that I am praying that God's Word will truly work its way into my heart, and then change my heart. I don't want to memorize God's Word, just to say I memorized it. I want it to change my life, and you know what... I think it will.

So is anyone out there in blogville up for the challenge of memorizing whole books of the Bible, or individual chapters? Let me know, so I can encourage you as you embark on this wonderful adventure. In Hebrews, God tells us that His Word is living and active... I sure do want His Word to be alive and active in my heart...Do you?

(Janet Pope has a book that she wrote to help you memorize scripture... I will be getting it soon. I think the title is "His Word in My Heart")

Wise Words from my Middle Child

I know if I don't write this down, I will forget it and I want this memory to stick with me...

This past week, the boys and I were in the car and my oldest asked why people today do not live as long as people in Biblical times. I told him that after the flood God numbered the days of man and they would not live as long as people did at the beginning of creation. I then said something about Heaven, and if we truly realized how awesome Heaven was that we would not really want to be here on earth anymore. (I was talking with a friend about man's days and I said that after the flood God numbered man's days... well, I don't know exactly that that is right, but I found this verse in Psalms that made me think that is what happened...Psalm 90:10 (New International Version) The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span [a] is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
Sometimes I pass information along that I have heard, but I must always make sure that I go to the source (Bible) to confirm its truth. So for the record, I maybe 100% wrong about God numbering man's days directly after the flood. I am not completely sure about the timing...

The boys continued their conversation, and I heard my oldest talk about how he accepted Jesus so he would go to Heaven one day... the conversation continued just a little more, and then I heard my middle boy say to his older brother something like this..."Moose" you also have to follow Jesus to go to heaven. That's not how it works, you can't just accept Jesus, you have to follow Him too to go to Heaven." Again, I don't know that I got all his words right, but the point is there.

I grew up where there was a big emphasis on accepting Jesus into your heart, but not a lot on what it meant to follow Jesus. Following Jesus, is more than accepting Him. I think many people believe in Jesus and would even say they have accepted Him, but yet they do not change their lives and follow Him. I am just now learning that truly following Him is about denying yourself and taking up your cross and following Him.

Do I follow Jesus everyday, every minute of my life? No, not always, but I am aware of when I am choosing my own way, and in that moment I have to pray that my will will succumb to God's will for my life, even when it is hard. I have learned so much the last year about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, and it is changing my life. The Lord is doing a work in me that I can't explain, and I am realizing now how much I need the Holy Spirit in my life to empower me to follow hard after God.

With God all things are possible...for me that means God can help me stay on the "narrow way" that leads to Him, no matter how many times I jump off that way to enjoy the broad way for a time. He will always lead me back... I pray that my children will learn this lesson as well.

David Platt Radical Book

I just finished reading this book after it was recommended to me by a friend. This book has challenged me (really shaken me up) about what it means to truly be a Christian. I have been on a journey now for about 10 years trying to discover the truth of the Gospel, and what it really means to be called a Christian... A disciple of Christ. I do have many changes to make in my life, and this book helped me to see some "blind spots" in my own Christian walk. I highly recommend this book, but it is not an easy read at all.