Joy

I wonder what the Lord thinks sometimes when He sees us and what would He want to say. These were the thoughts that came to my mind:

I know your life. You are sometimes bored with work and the monotonous schedule; every day is Ground Hog Day. Often there is no spark; no joy. There is no fire in your love; no excitement. That is not what I created you for; not what I have for you. Do you think I would leave the perfection of heaven - would I have come so you could have an uneventful, boring life? I came so that you would have life to the full! Not full of busy, schedules, food, people; full of joy in me!

You will not find that fullness in your spinning life with five minute devotions. As a dating couple cannot get enough of each other, that is how I want you to want me. I long to see your face eager to meet with me; excited to be with me. Clearing your schedule to be with me.

Why would that bring me joy? Because I know that in my presence is fullness of joy. That's what you really want, isn't it? To be joyful? Here it is...it's me. Come and spend time with me so I can give joy to you.

In the Know - Our Teens Helping Other Teens

Sixteen. The other day she blared out her song, rocking on the coffee table with star-studded glasses and a whisk microphone. Now her angelic voice sings solos in front of hundreds. For the special occasion of her sweet sixteenth birthday, my daughter specifically asked for one gift: a donation made to Stella's House, a ministry rescuing young girls from sex trafficking. Learning of this atrocity had broken her heart; she wanted to help.



Can you picture the little feet that belonged to these tiny shoes? Now picture fear and pain on her face before the little owner of these small sandles she was rescued from human trafficking. This was the image burned in my mind as Tom Davis of Children's Hope Chest displayed these small shoes that once belonged to one rescued. With tears pouring down my face, I knew I had to get involved; we have to help the least of these.

1.2 million children are trafficked every year; this is in addition to the millions already held captive by trafficking. Every 2 minutes a child is being prepared for sexual exploitation. The average victim is forced to have sex up to 40 times a day. By 2010, sex trafficking will be the number one crime worldwide.

The average age of a trafficked victim is 14 years old. Here is where our teens can fit in. Maybe your teen saw the movie "Taken" so they have an idea of this epidemic. If not, you can raise awareness by sharing this video with them. When presented with the truth of the tragic lives of others their own age, teens will want to crawl outside of their me-centered world to give help and hope to another. They can use FaceBook and Twitter to raise awareness. Teens are the most creative people; capable of coming up with the most innovative ways to fund raise for rescuing.

You can start by being an example. Children's Hope Chest is actively rescuing young girls and giving them new lives with hope! Please stop by the Children's Hope Chest at www.HopeChest.org. Be a part of changing the life of a child TODAY!

Remarkable You

Ruby; velvetity, burning, deep, deep red. My birthday stone just happens to be the most beautiful one! Though my jewelry box lacks this precious, rare gem, they are by far my favorite. The deep, rich hue says “treasure”.

Proverbs 31: 10 – 11 “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.” NIV

To be compared to something so valuable would be a tremendous compliment. How can I be remarkable; a rarity like the ruby?

By being a woman with noble character. A noble character; not something I see too many reality shows based on. “Beautiful women compete each week to see who will be the remaining woman with noble character.”

Proverbs says this woman of noble character is one who is fully trusted. Full confidence in this verse is a combination of two Hebrew words. Batah meaning to trust, rely on, put confidence in, to be confident, to lead, to believe, and to make trust. Leb means heart; conscience, courage, mind and understanding.

This woman is a woman who knows her completion is in Christ. Being filled by Jesus every day, in every crevice of her heart, gives her a solid confidence that is sure. Others can then rely on her, trust, believe in and be lead by her because her heart is fixed on Him. They don't about her gossiping about them. Her husband has no concerns for the decisions she makes with finances or relationships.

Her source, her confidence is not in her husband, her kid's performance or her next work review. Her confidence is in being a woman loved by the King; which works in her heart the desire to be a noble character.

Where will you be remarkable today? Will it be in honoring your husband when he comes in tired from work, even though you are exhausted as well? Will it be giving your child your full attention even when a million other things scream "me first"? Maybe it will be that friend who really needs a listening ear and to hear the truth?

Friend, be remarkable. Be a woman of noble character. Be a rare gem.

Give Me a Part

Fog. No trees. No sky. No birds. Just gray and white blanketing the earth. No sense in sitting outside; nothing to see. Nothing to enjoy, to take in, to wonder at.

I retreat. Head back inside. Inside where there is no wonder. No surprises; just the comfort of the known.

As I sit engaged in my familiar surroundings, I am unaware of the drama that is preparing to unfold right outside the door. Wrapped up in the cozy quilt of my world, I miss what is happening beyond.

Then, something nudges me, prompting me to get out of my easy chair and see. The blanket is being pulled back; revealing the majesty of the mountains. Exposing the creation and the glory it shouts to the Maker. "Come out and watch!" it calls to me. "Be a part of the play as it begins."

I leave my comfort and step out into the scene. The curtain is still being drawn back and the opening music has struck it's first cord; birds singing their tune of praise. Crickets narrate the details of the first scene as a crow glides onto the stage.

It is then that I become aware. I have a choice. I can choose to be a spectator; watching His glory or I can be a part of His glory. He has no try-outs; makes no cuts. He gives a "come-all" audtion. The choice is mine. Yes, there will be lines to learn, directions to take, but there is also the glory to partake in. The honor that goes with being a part of His production. I no longer want to sit back in my comfort. Being a spectator of this glory is not enough for me; I want a role. My heart longs to be a part of His story, sharing His heart with the universal audience.

Saying "yes", I can't see all that lays ahead; just as the fog continues to cover much of the landscape. But as I begin my role, the fog continues sweeping back and His wonder revealed farther than my eye can see.

Even when I am not in the mountains, my heart and eyes can see and feel it; the peace and quiet they bring. I hope for you, this weekend, whether you are close to mountains or far, far away, I pray that God's peace and His gentle pulling will be felt in your heart and you will say "yes" to being a part of His glory.

Happy Friday my friend,
Lynn

P.S. I took this picture this spring in Acadia National Park on a trip with my daughter. Pictures have a way of bringing back very special memories!