Letters To God

I’m currently in a Bible study at my church called, “Goliath Must Fall” by Louie Giglio.  In one of the weekly exercises it asked me to write a letter to God.  I could write about anything–my feelings, my hurt, my joy, my love for Him, etc.  No limitations.  As I was writing this letter to God, I was reminded of how sweet His presence is, and how I missed spending more time with Him.  I would like to take a moment to share with you what I wrote:

“Dear Daddy,

I know I do not express my love for you as much as I should.  I know I fail you so many times.  But, yet, you always have your arms stretched out whenever I need you.

You know my needs.  You know my hurt.  You know my every tear, and you wipe them away one-by-one.  I do not deserve your love, but, yet, you always give love without hesitation.

You know the shame I carry.  You know the loneliness I feel.  You know the secrets that I keep tucked inside for no one to know.  But, yet, you still love me.  I’m an imperfect being loved by You.  You never expect me to be perfect.  You simply ask me to come as I am — flawed and broken.

In this moment, I feel you holding me and whispering: “You are going to be okay.  Yes, life is a bit confusing, but, I tell you, you do not have to have everything figured out.  I will guide your future, and it will be everything you dreamed of plus more.  Trust Me my Child.  Now, put your feet onto Mine and let Me lead.  I know the way!'”

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APPLICATION

I encourage you to write a letter to God and express how you feel about Him.  Acknowledge who He is in your life.  Tell God your troubles, and how you feel about life.  Cry out to Him in humbleness and gratefulness.  Be transparent.  Remember, there are no limitations.

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What Is A Blessing?

Many people think a blessed person is someone who has it all — lives in a big house, drives an expensive car, has the best job, and so forth.  This way of thinking is distorted.  If we see a blessing just as material things then we miss a blessing in our lives, because we compare our lives to others.

The word “blessing” means “a favor or gift bestowed by God or the invoking of God’s favor upon a person.”  It also is defined as “approval” and “good wishes” (www.dictionary.com/browse/blessing).  A blessing comes in many forms.  It can come directly from God.  Or a blessing can come from family members, friends, or complete strangers through God working in them.

Before Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, the world was full of chaos and hate.  After the hurricane, we saw people working together.  Complete strangers risking their lives to save others.  As Christians, we need to be watchful on how we say we are blessed.  I am guilty of this as well.  I said, “I was blessed to have minor damage in my home.  A home I can still live in after the storm.”  But, we all have to understand those who have lost everything due to the storm, they are still blessed.  God protected their family, and, in the past three weeks, people have seen complete strangers help them rebuild their home.  In Philippians 4:19 declares that “MY God will supply every need to yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”  In Isaiah 41:10, God says “fear no, for I am with you; be no dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”  “And from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1:16).  I encourage everyone who is going through hardship to declare these Scriptures over your life.

Many who have lost their homes have asked, “What shall we eat?” “What shall we drink?” What shall we wear?” (Matthew 6:30-33).  They have lost all their belongs.  They have lost all their food.  They only have the clothes on their back.  But, be encouraged today.  God clothes you every day with His blessings and righteousness.  Churches and business have opened their doors to give food, clothes, furniture, and toiletries to those in need.  God put it on their hearts to bless you with items that you have lost.  It may be heartbreaking and difficult to ask for help, but never turn down a blessing.

There may be some who are too broken to see God’s blessing in their lives.  And, that is okay.  Having any kind of loss is devastating and finding hope again may take time.  Sometimes all we can do is get on our knees and cry out to God for help.  Through prayer we all will find “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).  Psalm 144:2 is a prayer of declaration in time of need: “He is My steadfast love and My fortress, My stronghold and My deliverer, My shield and He in whom I take refuge.”  This Scripture not only gives you hope again, but it also gives you renewed strength through Christ.  Matthew 5:4 states the “blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”  Let these words wash over you and remind you that you are not alone.  God is ALWAYS with you.

And, always remember that a blessing is not all about material things.  A blessing is simply God loving on us through a prayer being answered.  His continuous protection over your life and family.  A blessing is helping people in need.  We are blessed every day through Christ.

 

How To Be Used By God Challenge

If you completed this sentence, what would you say? “More than anything I want God to use me to _________________________.” (“The End of Me” by Kyle Idleman)  You don’t have to answer on my page. It is just to challenge all of us to seek God more.

I also want to challenge all of us to not just long or dream about God using us for His glory. I want us to pray that God equips us to use us in that way. And, for us to believe God can.

 

What Is The Norm?

As Texas and Louisiana is healing and rebuilding their cities from Hurricane Harvey, it reminds me of how things have changed in just a matter of a few weeks.  Before Harvey, we went about our daily lives caring about our own needs and protesting about what offends us.  Individuals did not care about hurting others with his/her words or actions.  That was the norm.  It was normal to see hate in this world, and, for some, they became numb to it.  We just turned off social media or the TV shaking our heads in disgrace.  We never thought to make a difference by putting more love into this world by showing who Jesus is.  We stayed silent and let hate crimes happen all over this nation.  Sadly, I was one of those people who stayed silent.

After Hurricane Harvey hit my little town in Southeast Texas, everything changed.  The hate crimes were not getting the attention on social media and the news.  We were seeing devastation and heartache.  People leaving their homes for safety.  Animals, of all kinds, being rescued out of flood waters.  Ordinary people using their own boats to save those around them.  We saw a nation come together in prayer for those affected by the hurricane.  No more hate crime seen on social media; instead, we saw the hands and feet of Jesus doing their part.  Now, this should be the norm: seeing people help people.  People put down their electronics and started paying attention to the hurt around them.  They did not silence the cries of the help; they put on their rubber boots and got messy.  They stepped into the flood waters and risked their lives for others.  This is what it means to serve others.

If you want to serve, expect to get a little messy, because once you put your heart out there, you will be a part of their messy world.  The world that does not look so neat and tidy.  The world that is shedding tears for their loss.  The stories that can be told about Hurricane Harvey are heart-wrenching and filled with hopelessness.  But, as we have seen, we can build others up by being their for them in time of need.  We can show them their is hope again by extending our hands to those who are hurting.

The norm should always look like the picture of people coming together to rebuild hearts and cities one day at a time.   Let’s put down our phones, tablets, and the TV remote and start being the hands and feet of Jesus.  Let us not forget those who have lost everything and help them rebuild their lives again.  Let’s not be afraid to get a little messy to help someone who needs it the most.

And, I will leave you this….  Natalie Grant, an amazing Christian artist, sings a song called, “Be One”.  Here are some lyrics to encourage all of you to be a part of something bigger than yourself:

It’s time to get our hands dirty
Be love there’s a whole lot of hurting
Calling all hearts
Calling all hands
Calling all feet to take a stand
Why sit around and wait for a miracle to come
When we can be one
When we can be one

When we can be one
A little somethin’
Might feel like nothin’
But in His hands it’s all we’ll ever need
To speak life to the broken
Watch the blind eyes open
It’s who He’s calling you and me
To be

We can be the change, be the hope
We can be the arms that don’t let go
We can be a light in the dark
We are, we are where it starts

 Let us be the “new norm” by showing our love for others each passing day!

Impacted by Hurricane Harvey

I apologize for not writing in the past few weeks.  I live in the Southeast Texas area where Hurricane Harvey dumped 48″ of flood water on us.  It has been a rough past seven days being stuck in my home for over five days.  No power for over 24 hours.  No water in the city until further notice.

After watching videos and seeing pictures of the devastation, it breaks my heart.  Friends and family member have lost everything.  In just one moment, life stopped and tears fell on everyone’s faces all over the world.   Hurricane Harvey is one of the worst storms in history.  For those who were impacted by the storm will be changed forever.

In one week, the nation saw people coming together rescuing complete strangers from their homes.  Animals, of all kinds, were being rescued by boat.  The people in the area used their own personal boats and trucks to get to the areas that needed help.  Ordinary people being heroes.  I am proud to say I am a Texan.  A tragedy hit and rather than thinking about our own needs, people went out to serve others.  They were the hands and feet of Jesus!

No matter how each person was impacted by the storm, please know you are still blessed.  God has not forgotten about you.  He is right by your side and loves you unconditionally.  Yes, it will take time to rebuild, but Texas will come out stronger than before the storm hit.  What the devil meant for bad; God turned it into good.